Frequently asked questions

In addition to the EEC websites, an introductory event will be held at the Maulbeerallee location at the beginning of each semester (usually the introductory week, ie the week before the start of the lecture). The structure and organization of the study as well as contents of the module manual are presented. Each site workgroup is usually present with at least one representative.

The Master in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation is offered as a full-time study program with a standard duration of four semesters and 120 credit points - and the courses are designed accordingly. Part-time studies is not explicitly allowed in the study regulations of the program.    For further information, please refer to the central pages of the university.

For detailed information, please refer to the instructions and use the links shown under  'Application and Admission'.

The main language of the master program is English but sufficient knowledge of German is required for administrative processes. When applying via uni-assist the following proofs of language proficiency need to be included:

(1) Proof of English language skills that correspond at least to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages with a certificate listed on the page Required Language Skills for University Studies under English Language Skills Level B2 (CEFR). The Examining Board issues decisions regarding credentials on a case by case basis.

(2) Applicants who do not hold German citizenship: Proof of German language proficiency on the level of at least A2 (CEFR) with a certificate listed on the page Required Language Skills for University Studies under German Language Skills Level A2 (CEFR).

Yes, you can (please read the prerequisites for admission in the subject-specific admission regulations, and provide a letter of motivation in your application). In any case, you need a first degree (B.Sc.) in natural sciences or related fields, e.g. agroscience, geoscience, or maths with at least 180 credit points. For newcomers to higher semesters, special conditions apply. Please inform yourself carefully reading  the information for newcomers / career changers in this FAQ if you want to change your university and/or your career by applying for this master program.

Missing documents can be submitted later by the end of the enrollment period.

The data for the enrollment is transmitted via an online portal. There you also find information about deadlines.

(https://puls.uni-potsdam.de/onlineimma.html?state=wimma&stg=f&imma=einl&topitem=locallinks&subitem=zul&breadcrumb=zul_qiszul_application).

Detailed information can be found under: Application-Enrollment-Master.

The specialization module (12 credits, corresponding to 360 hours of work including a report) serves to prepare the Master's thesis, but is not part of it. Usually it should be attended in the working group in which the master's thesis is prepared. However, it may also have a different orientation than the Master's thesis, so that students can acquire additional competences. In principle, it is possible to complete the specialization module in a non-university institution, but this must be agreed in advance with a person in charge of a specialization module in the degree program EEC, who will later register in PULS. This persons takes over the formal responsibility for the specialization module and can therefore make fulfilling requirements! The successful implementation must be confirmed by the external organization according to the specifications of the person responsible for the module. This certificate and, if applicable, the report must then be submitted to the person responsible for the module.

The specialization module can be graded as well as not graded.

In addition to the certificate you must submit a form that you can find here.

Please note §15 of the general study and examination regulations and the general information of the University of Potsdam. The latter pages also describe the procedure and provide an application form.

If a module in PULS has been booked incorrectly (for example, in elective area A instead of B), this can only be changed by the examination office.

To do this, you submit an informal (signed) application to the Examining Board Chairman EEC  via the secretariat. After approval (return via secretariat), you can submit the amendment to the Examination Office.

Please note that the Examination Office does not automatically approve any amendment. In order to avoid later problems, the actual registration for module examinations must be done with great care!

General information about studying abroad can be found here.

In any case, it is recommended to obtain information about the recognition of academic achievements (see below) before studying abroad (eg Studienberatung PD, Dr. Thilo Heinken) and to conclude a Learning Agreement.

The submission of the documents takes place analogously to the recognition of study and examination achievements through the GSL!  

Information on the feedback (bank details, intended purpose, etc.) can be found under: Re-registration.

We strongly advise you to not delay the taking of exams. Try to take the exams as close to the respective course as possible, some lectureres are only at the university for a restricted period of time and are no longer available and nor obligated to offer the exam once they have left the university!

You can register for a module exam once the respondible lectuter has opened the exam for registration. If you decide to withdraw from the exam you can do that up to eight days before the exam date, for written and oral exams, or until the end of the registeration period for home work exams.

It is best to register for a module exam once you have completed all courses necessary to complete the module or the course packet that will be accounted as a module respectively.

Exams for specific courses that are part of a module can be, but not have to be, equivalent to the module exam. The responsible lecturer can give you information on this and will tell you if you have to register in PULS for the respective course exam or if you have to register in another way (i.e. directly with the lecturer in a paper list).

The work may take place in departments of a university lecturer involved in the teaching of the EEC course or, after obtaining the approval of the examination board, in a university or non-university research institute operating in a field relevant to the master program. Supervisors and second reviewers are two independent PhD scholars. At least one of them must be a university teacher (PD or Prof.). Please coordinate in advance with a supervisor / examiner in the course of study EEC for planned external master theses!

According to the general study and examination regulations, an extension of up to one month is possible for important reasons and with the consent of the supervisor. For this purpose, an informal application (signed by the candidate and the supervisor) to the Examining Board Chair EEC must be submitted via the secretariat.

After approval, the application for renewal is submitted by the candidate to the examination office. Please note: the possibility of a prolongation of up to 3 months provided for in the subject-specific regulations will be overruled by the general regulations from their validity.

The commission of the master thesis defence consists of the first and second supervisor of the thesis and a third assessor. First and second supervisors are already appointed when the master thesis topic is registered with the examination board, the third person in the commission is appointed once a defence date is requested. Students have the right to suggest the third member of the commission. Since there is always confusion here: please read attentively the general study and examination regulations of the university! 

The first supervisor must fulfil the requirements for a professor. The second supervisor and the assessor must meet the general requirements for examiners at the university, i.e. for Master's examinations at least a Master's degree and an employment contract at the university. All three members of the examination commission have to be present at the defence.

When choosing your commission, please also note that they belong to different working groups. A selection of three reviewers from the same working group (e.g. 3 reviewers from the working group Biodiversity Research) are not allowed!

When you have found a date, ask the secretary of the first primary reviewer to find a room for the defence.  Defence must be carried out in presence and can only happen in rooms belonging to the University of Potsdam. Only in exceptional cases can the defence take place online via Zoom.  If the defence has to take place online, all reviewers and the chairperson of the examination board must agree to this and the Zoom link and password have to be given on the form at the respective section.

Once date and place for the defence are planned, report the title, commission members, date and location of the defence to the chairperson of the examination board via handing in this form at Ms. Kaminskis office. Please fill in the form online/digitally! The supervisor signatures can be put on digitally and the form can be handed in as a scan via email to master-eecuuni-potsdampde. The form will stay with the chairperson of the examination board and does not have to be passed on to the examination office.

Master defences are public events, therefore the time and date of the defence will be publicly announced by Ms. Kaminski. Please hand in the filled out and signed form registering the defence in a timely matter to allow sufficient time for the preparation of the announcement!

Please note the following:

• Composition of the commission (see criteria above)
• Appointments: Do not plan the defense before the thesis is marked as passed and the reviews are in
• Please hand in the form registering the defense in due time

The defense is in English for all students starting from WiSe 2019/20 onwards. As part of the internationalization of the study program from WiSe 2019/20 onwards, all exams, as well as the Master's defense, in the Master's program Ecology, Evolution and Conservation will then be held in English.

For students before winter semester 2019/20: the defense takes place in German. Until the winter semester 2019/2020, MOEN is a German-language study program.

The master thesis defence has to be held in presence in a room of the University of Potsdam. Only in exceptional cases can the defence be held online via Zoom. If the defence has to take place online, all reviewers and the chairperson of the examination board must agree to this and the Zoom link and password have to be given on the form at the respective section.