Forest Information Technology (FIT) Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development

Environmental information technologies such as geographic information systems, remote sensing, statistics, databases, programming, the Internet, and forest ecosystem and environment-related applications form the core of the subjects taught. The core modules are accompanied by selected topics in forest and ecological disciplines.

Students learn the relevant concepts and methods for survey, analysis, visualisation, and communication of environmental data. They acquire practical skills in handling common software products particularly related to spatial data. They achieve a critical understanding of the processes in forest ecosystems and of forest management. They learn to apply information technologies creatively to describe problems and find solutions, develop methods for sampling environmental data and computer and model-based assessments of the effects on forests and other ecosystems, and learn how to cooperate in interdisciplinary work groups.

The first semester takes place at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) and covers fundamental knowledge of environmental information technologies. Elective courses are organised partly with students from other international study programmes at HNEE.

The second semester takes place at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland). It focuses on teaching knowledge of environmental information technologies including specific silvicultural content.

Third semester: independent research project (at the particular university or partner institution in Germany, Poland, or in another country), range of elective courses (in Eberswalde, Warsaw, or Valladolid)

Fourth semester: Master's thesis, range of elective courses

Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland)

Applicants from forest, landscape, and environment-related study programmes (e.g. forestry, biology, agricultural sciences, land use planning, and others) automatically fulfil the subject entry requirements for the programme.

Applicants from other programmes (e.g. computer sciences) will be evaluated individually for assessment of their subject qualification based on the content of their previous study programme(s) and a personal statement outlining their special interest concerning the FIT programme. Basic knowledge of forestry is necessary but can also be acquired during the programme through additional courses.

376 EUR per semester
This includes a semester ticket for public transport in Germany (Deutschlandsemesterticket).

Approximately 1,200 EUR per month

At HNEE, a variety of funding opportunities are available to support students’ international mobility in research, study, and internships—including the Erasmus+ and PROMOS programmes. Students can also apply for scholarships through the STIBET programme, which enables them to complete their studies or receive support for their outstanding commitment. In addition, HNEE awards the Deutschlandstipendium to support students with outstanding academic achievements. Various foundations also offer scholarships to support students throughout their academic journey.

Career service

There are two options for accommodation in Eberswalde: the student residence halls, managed by the student service (Studentenwerk), or a privately rented room or flat in Eberswalde.

Berlin is 50 kilometres from Eberswalde and can be reached by train in 30 minutes.

About 2,300 students from all over the world are registered at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. At the moment, 11% of the students come from abroad. Our university was founded in 1992. Eberswalde has been one of the major academic centres of forestry studies in Germany since 1830. Several other federal and regional state research institutions are situated on the Forest Campus.

The town of Eberswalde has a population of 43,000 and is located just 50 km north-east of Germany's capital, Berlin. Eberswalde is the county seat of the district of Barnim in the north-east of the state of Brandenburg. The city is also called "Waldstadt" because there are extensive forest areas around the city. In the north of Barnim, you can find the Schorfheide-Chorin biosphere reserve. The town has had 1,468 hectares of woodland since the 14th century with about 1,000 hectares of recreational forest and 271 hectares of nature reserves and ecologically significant habitats.