International Dual Degree

TRANSFOR-M

A Transatlantic Master program leading to dual degrees in Forestry, Environmental or Conservation Sciences. TRANSFOR-M combines a Master's program at the University of Alberta with one of seven English-language Master's programs in Italy, Austria, Germany, UK, or Finland.

TRANSFOR-M students will be educated in sustainable forestry, environmental and conservation sciences, with research and management approaches that are sensitive to cultural and situational differences. Participants acquire an international perspective about economic and environmental issues.

Each student will spend one year in Europe in an English-language Master program and one year in Canada. They prepare a thesis or research project is in the second year of their program. At the University of Alberta, participating students have the choice to focus on degrees in five general topic areas:

1. Forest Ecology and Management,
2. Conservation Biology,
3. Agriculture and the Environment,
4. Reclamation and Restoration of Land and Water, and
5. Environmental Soil Science

At the European partners, the following MSc degree programs are available:

1. Forest Sciences (Padua, Italy or Freiburg, Germany)
2. Mountain Forestry (Vienna, Austria)
3. Conservation and Land Management (Bangor, UK)
4. Environmental Forestry (Bangor, UK or Joensuu, Finland), and
5. Agroforestry (Bangor, UK)

For each participating student, we develop an individualized program plan that integrates research opportunities and courses available at the University of Alberta and the partner institution. Contact Andreas Hamann, TRANSFOR-M Liaison Officer Phone: (780) 492-6429, Email: ahamann@ualberta.ca for more information.

Eligibility & How to Apply

The normal admission requirement is a BSc in Forestry or a BSc in an allied discipline such as Geography, Biological, Agriculture, Environmental or Conservation Sciences. We also require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and English Language Proficiency.

TRANSFOR-M applications should be sent to ahamann@ualberta.ca by January 15 for September admission. Electronically sign, or sign and scan the forms below and submit your application by email. Reference letters should be sent directly from the referee to ahamann@ualberta.ca.

• A one-page free form Statement of Interest,
• A completed and signed Application form,
• A completed and signed Curriculum Vitae form,
• Two Letters of Reference forms, and
• Scanned transcripts and degree certificates.

Successful TRANSFOR-M applicants will receive instructions in February to submit additional documents for full admission at both partner institutions.

The University of Alberta provides scholarship opportunities to supplement living expenses for the year abroad (approx $4,000). Excellent applicants will automatically be considered for a recruitment scholarship (approx $3,000), or for a full scholarship ($17,000 plus tuition).

Participating European Partner Institutions

Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg, Germany

Freiburg is a university city with international flavour and close proximity to France and Switzerland. From the scientific point of view, Freiburg's surroundings, the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley, offer many different forest environments and various ways of managing them.

Bangor University, UK

Bangor University is a world class research university. Bangor is located in a breathtaking landscape with panoramic views and is rich with history, culture and charm. Students will join the School of Agricultural & Forest Sciences.

University of Padua, Italy

The University of Padua is a premier Italian university, regularly ranked first among Italian institutions. It was founded in 1222 and is the world's fifth-oldest university. It counts Galileo Galilei among its notable faculty and Nicolaus Copernicus among its notable alumni.

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, Austria

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna is a teaching and research center for renewable resources in Austria. With several campuses in and around Vienna it combines fundamental and applied research to enhance the knowledge basis for sustainable management of natural resources.

University of Eastern Finland

The University of Eastern Finland is one of Europe's premier institutions to study forestry, with an emphasis on sustainable use of boreal ecosystems and forest technology. Students will be hosted by Faculty of Forestry.