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Forestry 
 
Non-University Higher Education (Fachhochschulen) 

Admission Requirements 

    - Fachhochschulreife (specialised technical education qualification) 
    or 
    Fachabitur (special higher education exam) 
    or 
    Abitur (general higher education exam) 
    and 
    - practical training of six to twelve months.
Length and Structure of Courses 
 As most courses at Fachhochschulen, the studies take three to four years, depending on whether the practical training is included in the study programme or not. the Grundstudium (basic studies) between two and four semesters of length, offers mainly courses in natural sciences as well as introductions to engineering, ecology and economics. In the courses of the Hauptstudium (main studies), some specialisation is possible in the areas of particular interest. The programme is concluded by the final examinations and the Diplomarbeit (final study). 

Practical Training 
 The training period of twelve months´duration may be completed before or during studies integrated into the course programme. 

Contributory Research Work 
 The Diplomarbeit (final study) must show that the students are able to deal with a particular problem in a limited time and using applied methods to solve practical problems independently. 

European Dimension 
 Some of the Fachhochschulen offer courses in languages. 

Grade / Title of Diploma / Degree 
 The graduates earn the title of Dipl.-Ing. (FH) in forestry. 

Further Study 
 Upon graduation the students get the general higher education qualification and may pursue further studies at the university. 

 There may be an additional practical training necessary for entering a public service career in specific states (Länder). 

Employment Market 
 Forestry graduates have quite a narrow labour market because of the specialised sector of forestry. Besides the public forest administration, there is only a small private sector that could provide jobs. Outside forestry, there are almost is no possibilities for work. 

Addresses of Fachhochschulen  

    Fachhochschule Weihenstephan 
    Fachbereich Forstwirtschaft 
    85350 Freising - Weihenstephan 
    Tel.: 08161 / 713692  Fax: 08161 / 714526 

    Fachhochschule Hildesheim/Holzminden 
    Fachbereich Forstwirtschaft in Göttingen 
    Büsgenweg 4 
    37077 Göttingen - Weende 
    Tel.: 0551 / 3938 82  Fax: 0551 / 371667 

    Fachhochschule Rottenburg/Neckar 
    Hochschule für Forstwirtschaft 
    Schadenweiler Hof 
    72108 Rottenburg /Neckar 
    Tel.: 07472 / 9510  Fax: 07472 / 951200 

    Fachhochschule für Forstwirtschaft Schwarzburg 
    07427 Schwarzburg 
    Tel.: 036730 / 22251 

    Fachhochschule für Forstwirtschaft Eberswalde 
    A. - Möller - Str. 1 
    16225 Eberswalde 
    Tel.: 03334 / 650  Fax: 03334 / 650

Addresses of Former Students`Associations 
    Bund Deutscher Forstleute, BDF 
    Jendelstr. 31 
    37130 Gleichen 
    Tel.: 0558 / 1679 

    Arbeitskreis Forstliches Berufsbild e. V. (AKFB) 
    Gerald Schulze 
    Neue Eisenbahnstr. 9 
    7716 Haslach 
    Tel.: 07832 / 4175  Fax: 07832 / 5135 



Universities 

Admission Requirements 
    - Fachabitur (special higher education exam) 
    or 
    Abitur (general higher education exam) 
    and 
    - practical training of at least six months.
Length and Structure of Courses 
 The regular length of the study programme is supposed to be about nine semesters with many students taking one or two semesters more. 

 As in most other programmes the studies are partitioned into the Grundstudium (basic studies) comprising four semesters of basic natural sciences and introductions to sylviculture, which are concluded by the Diplomvorprüfung (mid-examination). The Hauptstudium (main studies) is divided into two major parts, the Kernstudium (major study) with in depth courses of ecology, technology, economics and law. The second one is the Schwerpunktstudium (special study) focusing on subjects opted for by the student. This part is completed by the final examinations and a Diplomarbeit (final thesis). 

Practical Training 
 A period of six months practical training before studies is compulsory for all study programmes and institutions. 

Contributory Research Work 
 The Diplomarbeit (final thesis) is the most important part of the final examination. 

European Dimension 
 Modern language courses may be taken by the students, they are offered at all universities, but are not compulsory. 

Grade / Title of Diploma / Degree 
 Upon graduation the students earn the degree of Diplom-Forstwirt (Master of Science in Forestry). 

Further Study 
 The faculty of forestry offers a two-year course in sylviculture in tropical and subtropical regions. 

 Graduates may also enroll in doctoral programmes. After working for a scientific thesis (Dissertation) for about three years and passing an oral examination (Rigorosum) they get the degree of Doctor of forestry (Dr. forest. in Göttingen; Dr. rer. nat. in Freiburg; Dr. rer. phil. in München). 

 Graduates of forestry may also enter the civil service and complete the special training course (Referendariat) to fill a senior post in the state administration after the second state examination. 

Employment Market 
 More than 90 per cent of the graduates are employed in the public sector, as consultants, as managers of woods, in planning, nature conservation, in research or teaching, or in private enterprises for wood or in development aid. 

Addresses of Universities 

    Georg-August-Universität Göttingen 
    Fachbereich Forstwissenschaften 
    Büsgenweg 5 
    37077 Göttingen 
    Tel.: 0551 / 393402  Fax: 0551 / 399629 

    Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München 
    Forstwissenschaftliche Fakultät 
    Hohenbacherstr. 22 
    85354 Freising 
    Tel.: 08161 / 714551  Fax: 08161 / 714565 

    Technische Universität Dresden 
    Fakultät für Forst-, Geo- und Hydrowissenschaften 
    Fachrichtung Forstwirtschaft 
    Pienner Str. 8 
    01735 Tharandt 
    Tel.: 035203 / 37331  Fax: 035203 / 37495 

    Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg 
    Forstwissenschaftliche Fakultät 
    Tennenbacherstr. 4 
    79085 Freiburg 
    Tel.: 0761 / 2020893  Fax: 0761 / 22510


Addresses of Former Students´Associations 
    Bund Deutscher Forstleute, BDF 
    Jendelstr. 31 
    37130 Gleichen 
    Tel.: 05508 / 1679 

    Arbeitskreis Forstliches Berufsbild e. V. (AKFB) 
    Gerald Schulze 
    Neue Eisenbahnstr. 9 
    77716 Haslach 
    Tel.: 07832 / 4175  Fax: 07832 / 5135


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