Master of International Nature Conservation
(M.I.N.C.)
One of the great challenges of conservation is the wise adaptation of techniques and approaches developed in one part of the world to another.
Lincoln University has joined with the University of Göttingen, Germany, to offer this jointly awarded Masters Degree. This initiative came from the Centre for Nature Conservation (University of Göttingen) and the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation (Lincoln University).
The University of Göttingen and Lincoln University both have strong ecological research programmes and share a common interest in nature conservation. At Lincoln University nature conservation is focused on the natural landscape, endangered species and the impact of human colonisation. The University of Göttingen has expertise with conservation in the cultural landscape, tropical ecology and forestry.
The Master of International Nature Conservation exposes students to conservation problems and solutions in two very different countries in different hemispheres with contrasting cultures.
General objective
The Master of International Nature Conservation provides a platform for an international professional career by exposing students to postgraduate comparative studies at two Universities.
The main rationale of this programme is learning by contrasts between countries and circumstances to meet contemporary demands of local, regional and global nature conservation issues
Innovative features
The degree programme links to the international initiatives within the Convention on Biological Diversity, and has support and endorsement by an International Advisory Committee, and links to a network of developed, developing and transformation countries.
There is shared supervision based on collaborative research and a holistic understanding of environmental management.
Key outcomes
On graduation students will:
- have learned to contrast and evaluate nature conservation issues and solutions in countries with different biogeographical, human, geological, political, cultural and historical backgrounds
- have gained first hand practical experience of contemporary conservation issues in a new setting, enabling them to think flexibly outside their home environment and to formulate innovative and novel but practical approaches to solving conservation problems
- benefit from the academic complementarity between different universities and lecturers, providing them with a unique breath of knowledge of different conservation issues, and will profit from speciality courses offered by host countries and not available at a single academic institution
- be able to give broader ranges of interpretation and enriched alternative views on common and unique conservation issues
- have gained major practical benefits from the incorporation of critical issues identified by people from international agencies (UNESCO, IUCN, WORLDBANK, GTZ, WWF, UNEP-WCMC)
- have taken part in nature conservation research training based on international collaboration and experience in different countries.
Complementarity
It is not intended to duplicate but rather complement courses or subjects at the two universities located in different biogeographical regions (Northern/Southern hemisphere, island/mainland), with unrelated biological and human histories and different environmental management approaches:
Lincoln University offers expertise in pest management, feral mammal control and eradication, critically endangered species management on both islands and on mainlands, invasive species ecology, plant-herbivore interactions, ecology of agricultural landscapes, ecotourism, nature conservation evaluation, environmental monitoring, nature conservation and landscape design, and economics of nature conservation.
The University of Göttingen, Germany, with its Centre for Nature Conservation emphasises continental aspects of nature conservation and biodiversity issues, European management strategies (EU conservation networks) in cultural landscapes and forestry; and has experience in the fields of population biology, tropical biodiversity, forestry and tropical wildlife monitoring.
Programme Structure
For students who first enrol in the degree at Lincoln University, the programme consists of 4 parts:
- a study semester in New Zealand at Lincoln University
- a study semester in Germany at the Centre for Nature Conservation, University of Göttingen
- 12 weeks approved practical work
- a 120 credit Masters thesis.
Note: Students who first enrol in the degree at the University of Göttingen will complete the degree according to the requirements as outlines in the University of Göttingen regulations.
Practical Work
During this important component of the programme, students will acquire practical skills by assisting in field and project work at a scientific host institution or at international nature conservation organisations or NGOs. The practical project will cover 3 months maximum. Depending on the season, students will have the choice between the locations listed below.
Option 1 – for students starting the masters programme in New Zealand, the practical project covers the period between April and October, i.e. during the southern winter or European summer. Possibilities are:
- Germany: Internship in the National Park (Harz Mountains), Conservation of farmland biodiversity (local NGO)
- Poland (University Wroclaw/PAS Turew): Management of extensive cultural landscapes, Participation in the MacMan project (MACulinea butterflies of the habitats directive and European red list as indicator and tools for habitat conservation Management), Participation in the ALARM project (Assessing Large-scale environmental Risks with tested Methods)
- Mongolia (National University of Mongolia, Ulanbator): Dynamics of large-scale natural landscapes, Palearctic wilderness and biodiversity
- Australia (Charles Darwin University, Darwin): Sustainable utilisation and management of wildlife by indigenous people, Impact of pastoralism, fire and introduced pests on tropical wildlife, management of introduced plants in tropical wetlands and savannas
Option 2 – for students starting the masters programme in Germany, the practical project might cover the period between October and February, i.e. during the southern summer or the European winter:
- Papua-Indonesia (Universitas Cenderawasih, Jayapura): Natural tropical rainforest, Biodiversity assessment, Impact of slash and burn/hunting, community-based wildlife management
- Cameroon (Korup National Park, Dschang University): Community-based wildlife monitoring, Ecotourism, Impact of land use on tropical biodiversity
- New Zealand (Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation Christchurch): Management of introduced species and intensive cultural landscapes, Mainland-Island management, Forestry and biological diversity, Sanctuary management
- Australia (Northern Territory University, Darwin): Sustainable utilisation and management of wildlife by indigenous people, Impact of pastoralism, fire and introduced pests on tropical wildlife, Management of introduced plants in tropical wetlands and savannas
More information on the practical work component (PDF, 36 KB).
Scholarships
There is one dedicated scolarship. The Lady Isaac International Scholarship. This is for students registered at Goettingen. For further information please contact the Scholarships office.
International Advisory Board
The role of the Advisory Board is to provide advice about the content and the structure of the programme to meet the objectives of offering an educational and training programme for people to pursue careers in nature conservation in the international arena and to be best qualified to work at international levels.
Board members:
- Dr. Kathy MacKinnon / Dr. Tony Whitten (The World Bank, Washington, USA)
- Dr. Thomas Schaaf (MAB-programme, UNESCO, Paris, France)
- Dr. Jeffrey A. McNeely (IUCN, Gland, Switzerland)
- Dr. Mark Collins (UNEP/WCMC, Cambridge, UK)
- Dr. Andrea Kohl (WWF, Germany)
- Dr. Martin Tampe (GTZ, Germany)
How to qualify
Who may apply?
Students seeking preparation for an international career in the area of Nature Conservation, this degree may be also attractive to professionals wishing to add an international facet to their career.
The pre-requisite for admission to this programme is an academic degree in natural sciences or a related discipline from an accredited university or university-like institution (Bachelor/Master or their equivalents).
Students must have good English skills as the entire degree is taught in English. Students from any country may apply.
This degree is offered jointly with the University of Göttingen, Germany and students must complete a number of courses (1 semester) at both Lincoln University and the University of Göttingen, Germany.
Information and learning agreement for students enrolled in the M.I.N.C degree (PDF, 34 KB).
Course of study
At Lincoln University
A candidate for the Master of International Nature Conservation shall normally pass:
| One of: | |||
| ECOL 609 | Conservation Biology | ||
| ECOL 612 | Wildlife Management | ||
| ECOL 630 | Advanced Ecology | ||
| ERST 611 | Advanced Environmental Monitoring | ||
| ERST 636 | Aspects of Sustainability: An International Perspective | ||
| One of: | |||
| ECOL 608 | Research Methods in Ecology | ||
| ECON 615 | Applied Research methods | ||
| ERST 601 | Advanced Theory in Resource Studies | ||
| SOCI 601 | Social Science Research methods (Quantitative) | ||
| SOCI 602 | Social Science Research methods (Quantitative) | ||
| Plus: | Twenty credits at 600 level, chosen with the approval of Academic Board from the master's degree courses offered at Lincoln University, | ||
At the University of Göttingen
Candidates who first enrol for the degree at Lincoln University must complete a minimum of 60 credits (30 ECTS) of coursework at the University of Göttingen.
Postgraduate Academic Co-ordinators for M.I.N.C.: Professor Ian Spellerberg, Lincoln University and Dr Mattias Waltert, University of Göttingen.
Deputy Co-ordinator: Kerry-Jayne Wilson
For information about applying at Lincoln University please contact Bernadette Mani.
Every effort is made to ensure the information contained herein is correct at the time of printing, but the content may be subject to change. Lincoln University reserves the right to make changes, amendments or deletions - including withdrawal of courses, should circumstances change. Lincoln University does not assume and hereby disclaims any express or implied liability whatsoever to any party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether these errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
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