Capstone course in which students solve complex real-world land-use problems, for which no single correct solution exists. Students work in project teams and take the role of consultants. They integrate the knowledge acquired during their previous studies and deepen their analysis, problem-solving and writing skills.

The colloquium “Challenges in Plant Sciences” is a core class of the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center's PhD program. The colloquium introduces participants to the broad spectrum of plant sciences within the network. The course offers the opportunity to approach interdisciplinary topics in the field of plant sciences.

Conservation and restoration are interdisciplinary sciences that nonetheless are founded on fundamental ecological concepts. The course will explore theoretical underpinnings of conservation and restoration science that inform planning and implementation, and consequent outcomes. New concepts and emerging technologies will be explored, alongside case studies that inform discussions.

Landscape restoration and conservation is subject to biophysical, socio-economic, and political constraints, demanding socio-ecological systems understanding. Drawing on existing initiatives, and the perspectives of a range of stakeholders, students will explore how restoration might be implemented across social and environmental priorities in Scotland, a country undergoing rapid landscape change.

This course introduces the broad variety of conflicts that arise in projects focusing on sustainable management of natural resources. It explores case studies of ecosystem management approaches and considers their practicability, their achievements and possible barriers to their uptake.

The objective of this course is to analyse a concrete conflict in the context of species conservation. It is based on concepts from social sciences and natural sciences. The conflict will be examined from the perspectives of all affected stakeholders. The aim is to demonstrate how conflicts among stakeholders can be resolved to achieve a mutually agreed consensus.

Students learn about ecology and the scientific method by designing and implementing their own ecological research project. Working in small groups, they generate hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyse data, and interpret and present the results, thereby encompassing the entire research process. In so doing, they will also learn about ecological principles and ideas.

In the module "Integrative Plant Sciences", which consists of the online course and seminar "Plant Response to Stress" (PRESS) and the colloquium "Challenges in Plant Sciences" , the focus lies on interdisciplinarity, ranging from molecular biology and biochemistry to ecosystem research, and an integrated understanding of plants in their environments.

Tropical rain forests, the world's most biodiverse habits, suffer from habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate change. Their continued degradation will impact future climate, global biodiversity, and livelihoods of billions of people. We will explore the structure, dynamics, and ecological functions of rain forests to provide the scientific foundation for their conservation and restoration.

This course introduces students to foundational texts that led to the emergence of the environment as a subject of scientific importance, and shaped its relevance to society. Above all, the course seeks to give confidence and raise enthusiasm among students to read more widely around the broad subject of environmental sciences and management both during the course and beyond.

In this seminar, students develop the research plan for their Master Thesis, including an overview of the literature, the definition of the niche for their research, and the methods to be applied.