Environmental Sustainability and Education, MSc

University of Padua, Italy

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The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
MSc	Full-time	2 years	October	find out	EUR 2739 per year

About Environmental Sustainability and Education, MSc - at University of Padua

The Master’s degree programme offers a comprehensive view of the environment, key to modern naturalists, by combining theoretical knowledge with high-level scientific and practical training. Students will acquire advanced skills in the system analysis of the natural environment in a changing climate and will learn how to master the scientific method for research in natural sciences, the modern tools for environmental monitoring (e.g. remote sensing), data acquisition and statistical data analysis and storage, the principles and techniques of geological, floristic and faunistic investigation, and the methods for environmental impact assessments.

This advanced course will provide you with an in-depth theoretical preparation in the systemic analysis of the natural environment in all its biotic, abiotic components and their interactions, in addition to mastering the scientific method of investigation and an in-depth knowledge of modern detection equipment, statistical and IT techniques of data analysis and archiving. The learning path of analysis and management of the natural environment is mainly dedicated to those who want to carry out an activity in the environmental sectors at research institutes or management and protection of the environment or carry out a professional activity, also as freelancer;, on the other hand, the path of scientific dissemination and naturalistic training will allow you to deal with scientific communication (scientific journalists, park or museum curators) or training at educational institutions.

Characteristics and objectives
The course offers as an ideal continuation of the first level courses of the class 'Science and technology for the environment and nature', by completing the naturalistic training. It provides the student with: i) advanced skills in the system analysis of the natural environment, in all its biotic and abiotic components, and their interactions; ii) a mastery of the scientific method, complemented by specific knowledge for conducting scientific research in the field of natural sciences; iii) a thorough knowledge of the modern instrumentation for data acquisition and statistical and computer techniques for data analysis and storage; iv) principles and techniques of geological, floristic and fauna investigation, methods for setting up environmental impact assessments and techniques of remote sensing and geomorphological survey.
The student also acquires principles of modern naturalistic museology and the fundamental concepts of modern teaching of natural sciences. All this is in combination with a high level scientific and practical preparation.

Programme structure

1st Year: Applied Statistics for Natural Sciences, Environmental Biogeography, Applied Ecology and Ecosystem services, Past Climate and Climate Change, Georesources and Geoheritage in the Anthropocene, Ethics and Environmental Economics

2nd Year: Development, Adaptability and Resilience, Methods for Wildlife Monitoring, Remote Sensing of Environment, Conservation, Restoration and Remediation, Environmental Assessment and Evaluation

Occupational opportunities
Life science specialists, biologists, botanists and zoologists can i) carry out natural resource census activities, ii) design and implement monitoring plans, impact assessment, recovery and management of natural or semi-natural environments, iii) draft thematic charts (either, biological or abiological), iv) organize and direct of scientific museums, aquaria, botanical gardens and natural parks, v) perform activities related to naturalistic and environmental education, such as the realization of educational materials - including multimedia support - for schools, universities, museums, parks, aquaria and botanical gardens, the design and management of naturalistic itineraries, the dissemination of environmental and naturalistic knowledge.

Learn more about Environmental Sustainability and Education, MSc - at University of Padua

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Notes about fees for this course

Our tuition fees will not exceed 2700 euros per year. Scholarship and fee waivers are available for international students, for more information visit our website.

Entry requirements

Bachelor diploma (or equivalent)

A minimum three-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Environmental Science and Technologies or related subjects with proven skills in Mathematics and Informatics, Physics, General, Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Life Sciences (Botany, Ecology, Zoology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Genetics etc.), Earth Sciences (Geology, Paleontology, Mineralogy, Geomorphology, Petrography, etc.) and related European Union Law.

Additional entry requirements – Entry title and GPA
Please verify country-based specific entry title and GPA requirements at the following link.

English language

B2 level (CEFR) or equivalent

Please check out this link for the full list of accepted certificates, minimum scores and exemptions

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at University of Padua

The University of Padua, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and other organisations offer various scholarships and fee-waiver opportunities to support students.

The University of Padua offers up to 54 "Padua International Excellence Scholarships" to highly talented prospective students wishing to pursue an English-taught degree at Padua.

Find out more about Funding and fees

Student reviews of University of Padua

Find out what students say about University of Padua

Prachi

from India
Master’s degree in Biotechnologies for food science

I was positive to join UniPD because it had a curriculum that did fit my subject. Furthermore, there is a history of UniPD that instantly depicts the strong foundation of education... and to me that university, where I would get that foundation would always be preferred. And looking back at those years, I can clearly see that it was the right choice.

The educational structure was somewhat to quite different from my home country.
1) There is an inclination towards comprehensiveness of the course; professors like to teach in depth which make you get immersed into the topic and fully understand it.
2) Exam period is especially interesting. You have so much time to focus and prepare (even though it never feels enough to any student.. haha). Also, there is a good direction by the professor if someone doesn't do well in the exam, so he/she can prepare better next time and retake the exam.
3) It has a strong research focus for the science-based courses and that makes it a good learning.

I enjoyed going to classes, and then walking around in the city, breathing the nature and refreshing in the company of my class-mates. There were phases of fun, study, extreme-fun and intense-study, which we managed to balance well somehow. The bestest part was having some professors who were like friends to us, which made study much more engaging.. and I for sure miss those professors. Can you imagine how good it was, that someone miss going to classes, and by the way, it is not only about UniPD, but there was also a lot because of the country, Italy, that made my time memorable.

Carolina

from Brasil
Master’s degree in Forest Science

The master's programme in Forest Science balances equally between the theoretical and practical parts of the courses, which frequently involves field trips in the North region of Italy, where Padova is located. This is a privileged region to have a forest science course, since it is close to a variety of ecosystems, such as the mountains (Alps), plain area (Po river), and the coast (Venice) and where it is possible to see the interaction of people-nature and climate change aspects.

After the first year of the master experience, I got the chance to do a summer internship in FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), whose headquarter is in Rome. That was a dream coming true, since from the beginning of my career I used FAO’s reports as supporting material for my job and studies.

Padua has the charm of a small city but everything you need from a big city. The thing I appreciate the most is just walking around the city centre and admiring the architecture of the historical buildings and squares, with an occasional stop for a coffee or spritz! The fact that it is bike friendly was another big plus.

Padova is also logistically interesting, since you can easily reach many beautiful cities by train or bus, such as Venice (in just 30 minutes!), Verona, Vicenza, Treviso, or if you feel like going a little bit further (2 hours) you can get to Milano, or to the Alps (Belluno, Asiago), where you can find natural areas to hike or ski or just escape the hot summer days.

Coming to Padova not only changed my professional career, but deeply changed my personal life: Here I found friends that I know I can count on for the rest of my life, and I also found love! I met my boyfriend over a year ago in the University.

Lauren

from Scotland
Master’s degree in Human Rights and Multilevel Governance

I would recommend the Unipd experience to anyone who wants to challenge themselves and be immersed in the Italian style of learning at university. At times it’s very intense but it’s also flexible and can suit anyone’s schedule, as I managed to work part time and even for 6 months, full time, on top of studying and volunteering. One thing I think is really important is making a real effort to learn Italian: it was very important for me to speak to local people and have the independence to go through bureaucratic procedures independently. In saying that, Padua is a very open-minded city with lots of people who speak English and a lot of international students! I sat my Italian exam and I was very happy that my efforts to immerse myself in the language have paid off, having never properly studied Italian before arriving in Padua!

An important part of my university experience came from joining the CUS Padova triathlon team. Having not come from a sporty background but however enjoying running and cycling, I decided to challenge myself to complete a triathlon. I didn’t realise I would find such a great team of people who encouraged me to keep going and after 6 months in the team I saw such great improvements in my fitness. I managed to participate in 4 races, even completing one in Scotland whilst visiting home! The training sessions helped to de-stress after long days of studying but it also required a lot of commitment and taught me how to balance my studies alongside preparation for the race season!