Please note: This page is aimed at prospective students. Are you already a student at Radboud University? You can find your current study programme in the Course catalogue.

Curriculum of Conservation and Restoration Ecology

The Master’s specialisation in Conservation and Restoration Ecology has a course load of 120 EC (two years). It comprises of compulsory courses, supplemented by electives. The biggest part of your programme consists of your Master's internship(s), which includes practical work and reporting, as well as a literature thesis or a field course abroad.

About this study curriculum

Below you can find an overview of the structure of the programme:

  • Compulsory courses (15 EC)
  • Electives (21 EC)
  • Review article (6 EC)
  • Research proposal (6 EC)
  • Two internships (72 EC)

Provisional overview for prospective students

This overview provides an indication of the study programme of the academic year 2026-2027 and is aimed at prospective students. It is subject to change and no rights may be derived from it. Already a student at Radboud University? View your current study programme in the Course catalogue.

Total EC
120 EC
Compulsory courses
P1
P2
P3
P4
3 EC
3 EC
3 EC
3 EC

Choose one (offered alternately)

Minimum 3 EC
Movement Ecology
3 EC
Population Modelling
3 EC
Elective courses
P1
P2
P3
P4
Natural Science electives
12 EC
Philosophy elective
3 EC
Free electives
6 EC

Your core curriculum is supplemented by electives. The elective programme consists of Natural Science electives, a Philosophy elective and Free electives. You’re free to compose this programme as you wish, provided that the level and coherence is sufficient for the Examination Board.

Natural Science electives (12 EC)
You need to choose at least one course from a list of selected electives for Biology. The remaining EC can be filled with academic courses within the field of natural sciences. You can also choose to use 6 EC as extension of your internship.

Philosophy elective (3 EC)
Choose one Philosophy course from a set list of Science Philosophy electives.

Free electives (6 EC)
6 EC of the total electives can be used to take any course taught at Radboud University, another Dutch university or abroad. 

Internships
P1
P2
P3
P4
36 EC
36 EC

During your internships, you’ll be responsible for your own experiments, under the supervision of one of our top researchers at the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES). Most students choose to perform their first internship at Radboud University and their second internship abroad, or at a Dutch governmental organization, research institute, NGO or company. 

Recent examples are internships at the University of Western Australia, the University of Bergen (Norway), the Netherlands Institute for Ecological Research (NIOO-KNAW), KWR, NatuurPlaza, and B-Ware research centre.

It is also possible to apply for a grant to perform an internship at the Max Planck Gesellschaft, one of the world's most renowned research institutes. There are also possibilities to do a research internship abroad. For suggestions, you can contact the teaching staff or the student advisor.

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH

Thesis & research
P1
P2
P3
P4
6 EC
6 EC

Either Review Article or Research Proposal can be replaced by one of the field courses:

  • Field Course Alpine Ecology (NWI-BM040B)
  • Field Research Course (NWI-BM048B)

The field courses are offered in alternating years.