EnvironmentPublished on 11.03.2020

New Master’s program in environmental sciences and environmental humanities


The world is increasingly finding itself confronted with new environmental challenges. A new Master’s program at the University of Fribourg will qualify young people for further research and a wide variety of employment opportunities.

Anthropogenic climate change, environmental degradation and the loss of biodiversity, but also sustainable energy production, depletion of non-renewable resources and waste management, require immediate action and responsible governance. Dealing with these ecological challenges has already given rise to major ethical concerns, dilemmas and conflicts, and these will only increase in future. Because of this, the University of Fribourg has established a new Master’s program for the 2020 August semester, focussing in particular on ethical issues and methodology.

Specific competencies for new challenges
The Master’s program Environmental Sciences and Humanities will train a new generation of environmental scientists. In order to solve governance challenges in the areas of environment, sustainability and climate change, they will need particular competence in the environmental humanities and environmental ethics. The unique competencies imparted in this Master’s program comprise integrative and comprehensive skills in analysing environmental conflicts and finding ethically based solutions for environmental challenges.

Comprehensive profile
The Master’s program Environmental Sciences and Humanities will train generalists in the environmental sciences and is based on a strongly interdisciplinary approach. Students will gain key competencies in all areas of the environmental sciences: from biology and geosciences, environmental economics and environmental law to a core specialisation in the environmental humanities with a particular focus on ethical decision-making in environmental practice.