Nature Conservation

Programme information

Curriculum

Course description

Presentation of the study

The master’s study programme Nature Conservation is conducted in Slovenian language.

The programme addresses the challenges of the global ecological crisis and the need for experts in the protection of natural systems. It focuses on an in-depth understanding of biodiversity at the species, ecosystem, and genetic levels, as well as the importance of ecosystem services and the identification of environmental changes. A distinctive feature of the programme is the integration of both terrestrial and marine ecosystem conservation, with marine protection representing a unique educational focus within the Slovenian higher education system.

The study includes compulsory and elective courses, fieldwork, laboratory and project-based work, and opportunities to participate in research activities. The programme builds upon the knowledge of graduates from related natural science disciplines and trains professionals for sustainable management, planning of conservation measures, and effective protection of nature and the environment.

Programme information

Programme name: Nature Conservation
Type of programme: master’s study programme, 2nd cycle
Degree awarded: “magister varstva narave” equiv. to a Master’s degree in Nature Conservation
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
ECTS-credits: 120
Mode of study: full-time
Language of instruction: Slovene
Place of study: Izola, Koper (partly)

Accreditation: the programme is accredited in accordance with the Higher Education Act and is officialy recognised.

Admission to the 1st year shall be granted to applicants having completed::

a) a first-cycle study programme of Biodiversity/Conservation Biology at UP FAMNIT or a first-cycle study programme accumulating at least 180 ECTS-credits of which at least 30 ECTS-credits are in the fields of biology or environmental sciences;

b) a first-cycle study programme accumulating at least 180 ECTS-credits in other similar study fields (biotechnical sciences, natural sciences) without meeting the conditions of paragraph 1. In this case, the candidate has to pass study obligations that are fundamental for enrolment, in an amount of from 10 to 30 ECTS-credits. Upon examination of the candidate’s previous study programme, the competent academic committee of UP FAMNIT shall define each candidate’s additional academic requirements on a case-by-case basis;

c) a first-cycle study programme accumulating at least 180 ECTS-credits in other study fields that are not included in paragraphs 1 and 2. The candidate has to pass study obligations that are fundamental for enrolment, in an amount of from 10 to 60 ECTS-credits. Upon examination of the candidate’s previous study programme, the competent academic committee of UP FAMNIT shall define each candidate’s additional academic requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Admission may also be gained by an applicant having completed a comparable study abroad and who has been, in the process of recognition of their qualification and in line with the Recognition and Evaluation of Education Act, granted the right to continue their studies in the Master’s degree programme in Nature Conservation.

In the case of enrolment limitations, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade obtained in their undergraduate studies.

Candidates who are required to complete additional obligations (differential examinations) for enrolment in the master’s study programme join the courses of the 1st-cycle study programme Conservation Biology at UP FAMNIT. The timetable of course delivery is designed for 1st-cycle students; therefore, in case of scheduling conflicts, these candidates must individually arrange participation with the respective course instructors.

“Transfer between study programmes” refers to a situation in which a student enrolled in a particular study programme does not complete it (i.e. discontinues education in the enrolled programme) and directly enrols into a higher year of a new study programme, whereby both the previous and the new programme must belong to the same Bologna cycle (level). When considering the possibility of transferring to a new study programme, the comparability of the programmes and the student’s completed study requirements in the previous programme are taken into account.

Admission to the 2nd year of the master’s study programme in Nature Conservation under the transfer criteria is possible if the following conditions are met:

  • the candidate meets the admission requirements for the master’s study programme in Nature Conservation,
  • the completion of the initial study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competences to those of the master’s study programme in Nature Conservation, and
  • other criteria in accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes are met (comparable curriculum of the study programme and completed study requirements of the candidate).

Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider the comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes. The Committee may also assign bridging exams to the candidate.

A candidate transferring from a related study programme abroad may also be admitted under the transfer criteria, provided that, in accordance with the law, they have been granted the right to continue their studies in the master’s study programme in Nature Conservation through the recognition procedure of foreign education.

In the case of limited enrolment, candidates are selected based on the average grade of all completed study requirements in the study programme from which the candidate is transferring.

For enrolment in the next study year it is necessary to collect at least 42 ECTS-credits in the current study year.

In special cases involving individual circumstances (such as illness or extraordinary situations), a student may be allowed to progress to the next year even with a lower number of ECTS credits. In such cases, the decision on enrollment is made by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.

A student who has not completed all the requirements specified by the study programme for progression to the next year may, during the course of their studies, repeat a year once, provided they have obtained at least 24 ECTS credits in the enrolled year. If a student repeats a year, they are not entitled to absolvent year, and their student status expires at the end of the 2nd year.

By progressing or repeating a year, a student retains student status and, consequently, the rights and benefits defined by law. In accordance with the law, a student may apply for an extension of student status, but for no more than one year.

The study programme offers the choice of six elective courses, namely three modular electives and three common electives. Modular elective courses are linked to the selected module, Marine or Terrestrial, which the student chooses upon enrolment in the 1st year. Common elective courses cover content from both modules.

More information on elective courses is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).

In the 1st year, students must complete a compulsory study internship worth 6 ECTS credits, lasting 3 weeks (or 15 full days).

The purpose of the study internship is to transfer theoretical knowledge into practice, which students carry out in various companies or public institutions. Each student is assigned a mentor at the selected institution where the internship takes place, who is responsible for supervising and guiding their work. In addition, the student’s work is also monitored by a practical training coordinator.

General competencies

  • the ability to prepare strategies and creative solutions to problems occurring in nature;
  • the ability to engage in critical thinking with regards to human interferences with nature which will enable them to tackle environmental issues and develop problem-solving strategies with a sense of responsibility towards the implementation of interventions in nature;
  • the ability to use technical terminology of the field;
  • the ability to use ICT technologies;
  • the ability to constructively cooperate with other professionals (teamwork);
  • the ability to use a foreign language for specific purposes.

Subject-specific competencies

  • the ability to solve scientific problems in the field of environmental protection and nature and biodiversity conservation;
  • the ability to identify the quality or “vitality” of various natural systems and their flexibility;
  • the ability to assess the importance and role of different species in the ecosystems typical of the Mediterranean region;
  • the ability to assess the importance of different species and ecosystems in Slovenia and beyond;
  • the ability to assess the limits of tolerance of organisms and ecosystems to harmful human impacts;
  • the ability to predict, on the basis of insights into the structure of and processes within ecosystems, the effects of various impacts, both human as well as those triggered by global changes;
  • the ability to draft proposals for the methods of monitoring the status of species and ecosystems;
  • the ability to prepare strategies for conservation and protection of species and ecosystems, as well as to improve of the situation in cases of degradation;
  • the ability to decide on issues relating to nature and the environment;
  • the ability to design strategies for managing natural systems.

Graduates will acquire in-depth knowledge of both fundamental aspects of the discipline and methodological approaches and orientations. They will obtain a broad professional education, enabling either the continuation of studies, where specialisation in various subject-specific areas of nature conservation will be possible, or immediate professional employment.

Studies at UP FAMNIT allow students to select course contents in a way that provides a broad knowledge base. Students can tailor their studies to their interests and the needs of future employers. In this respect, graduates of this programme have excellent opportunities to work in all environments where a broad understanding and knowledge of nature conservation are required, both at local and international level.

Graduates will be employable in all areas where knowledge and methods of nature and environmental protection and biodiversity conservation are required, in particular in:

  • research laboratories as researchers,
  • administrative institutions as professional staff (ministries, inspectorates, various agencies, municipal administrations),
  • nature parks as conservation rangers,
  • museums as professional associates,
  • zoos and botanical gardens as professional staff,
  • national and international non-governmental organizations,
  • private companies (nurseries, family farms, horticultural enterprises),
  • universities as higher education staff.
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