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.

Interdisciplinary seminar on forest and landscape issues with particular emphasis on the key processes shaping the development of forest ecosystems and landscapes. Students perform literature researches, and train presentation and moderation techniques as well as a constructive feedback culture.

Forests and landscape are influenced by the numerous needs of society. Current conditions are largely the result of historical and modern forms of forest management. For a profound understanding of these systems and for the development of future, adaptive management concepts, basic knowledge of the past and current concepts of forest management are essential.

This course introduces plant ecology. Through lectures, exercises and excursions, students will gain a broad vision of the cutting edge topics that are being researched and studied at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH and WSL. This will be the base for a future dialog between the field of landscape architecture and the field of sciences.

Introductory course on field methods in forest ecosystem research and ecosystem management, with an emphasis on regeneration ecology, forest growth and management as well as mortality processes. The course is set up as a comparative study between a low-elevation beech forest and a mixed spruce-fir forest in the northern pre-Alps.

Forests provide diverse ecosystem services. Silvicultural practices and forest management attempt to steer forest ecosystem processes in a sustainable and near-natural way so that forests can meet society's various requirements. Adaptivity to changing conditions (global changes), handling conflicting goals, and developing alternative management strategies are of central importance.

In this practical, students get to know important field and laboratory methods of forest and landscape research as well as landscape management. They apply these methods in the context of small projects. The practical consists of three parts: Ecology (both forest and landscape), Site Classification (soil science & vegetation science), and Land Management.

In 9 full-day excursions, the 3 most frequently used silvicultural systems in CH (Swiss Femelschlag, single-tree selection (plenter) forest and continuous cover forestry) are deepened. Key concepts are presented, illustrated with concrete examples in the forest and put into practice. The practical course offers a unique possibility to exchange with silviculture experts and forest practitioners.