University of Copenhagen

Courses at the first year at University of Copenhagen

During the first year at University of Copenhagen, all students get a thorough introduction to sustainability in forest and nature management. You will learn core elements of sustainability in its ecological, economic and social dimension. You will also learn about interdisciplinarity and wider perspectives on sustainability within philosophy and governance. Lastly, you will develop your generic skills and prepare for your second-year specialisation during the first year of your studies. 

The first year at University of Copenhagen includes compulsory courses with a focus on providing understanding of sustainability within forest and nature management and interdisciplinarity. There are also included restricted elective courses, where you can decide to make your own programme, or choose a recommended study track. Within the restricted elective courses, you can also choose to join the joint SUFONAMA Summer School. 

Programme Overview

Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS
Restricted elective courses: 30 ECTS 
Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4
Year 1
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. 

Block 1 Block 2 Block 3 Block 4
Year 1
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)
Restricted elective course (7.5 ECTS)

One block each year equals nine weeks of study and 15 ECTS. 

Study Tracks

You have the chance to study a subject area in depth. By selecting different restricted elective courses, you can either compose a programme of your own or choose one of two available study tracks: 

  • The Natural Science Track 
  • The Social Science Track 

When you want to make your own study track, you must choose 30 ECTS restricted elective courses from the lists below. Click on each course for a detailed description.     

*Students receiving an Erasmus Mundus scholarship must pass this course.

The study track is a recommendation for you, who want to delve deeper into the natural science aspect of Sustainable Forest and Nature Management. Choosing this recommended study track does not impact which second-year university you can choose. 
You must choose 30 ECTS restricted elective courses from the following list if you want to follow the recommended The Natural Science Track. 
Click on each course for a detailed description.   

Course Title Block ECTS
Block 3
7.5 ECTS
Block 3
7.5 ECTS
Block 3
7.5 ECTS
Block 3
7.5 ECTS
Block 3
7.5 ECTS
Block 4
7.5 ECTS
Block 4
7.5 ECTS
Project in Practice
Block 1-5
15 ECTS
Block 5
7.5 ECTS

*Students receiving an Erasmus Mundus scholarship must pass this course.

The study track is a recommendation for you who want to delve deeper into the social science aspects of Sustainable Forest and Nature Management. Choosing this recommended study track does not impact which second-year university you can choose. 
You must choose 30 ECTS restricted elective courses from the following list if you want to follow the recommended The Social Science Track. 
Click on each course for a detailed description. 

*Students receiving an Erasmus Mundus scholarship must pass this course.

The course Sustainable Forest and Nature Management – better known as the SUFONAMA Summer School, is a block 5 course offered in August. 

The course is a 14-days field course taking place in Denmark, Italy, Germany, The United Kingdom or Sweden. It varies from year to year in which of these five countries the course is offered. 

The course Sustainable Forest and Nature Management is a restricted elective course (it cannot be compulsory for legal reasons), but it is strongly recommended to take the course. All students receiving the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship must pass this course.