ARTICLE

To Benefit the Environment and Humanity: Magdeburg and the Study of Ecological Engineering.

By Steffen Wellge
University of Applied Science (UAS) Magdeburg
Germany

Steffen Wellge studied water management (1999 -2003) at the Department of Water Management, University of Applied Science Magdeburg. Finished with a diploma 2003 (Dipl.-ing. (FH)). Since winter semester 2003 he has studied Ecological Engineering at the Department of Water Management (Colleges of Applied Sciences Magdeburg), and started in October 2004 to write his Master thesis at the Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg.

Introduction

Professor W. J. Mitsch (Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Ohio State University) defined Ecological Engineering as "the design of sustainable ecosystems that integrate human society with its natural environment to the benefits of both." This definition makes clear that Ecological Engineering is capable of bridging some of the problems which human society encounters with its natural environment.

Research and teaching at the UAS Magdeburg's departments of applied sciences orient themselves to Ecological Engineering. After finishing interdisciplinary studies at Magdeburg, every student is prepared to apply this knowledge for the benefit of society and nature.

An outline of the study paths in Ecological Engineering will follow a brief description of the city of Magdeburg.

Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony Anhalt, is a city of a quarter million people, about 150 km southwest of Berlin. The University of Applied Science at Magdeburg/Stendal has approximately 4,600 students enrolled in eight subject areas, including water management. The Department of Water Management offers three degree programs: waste management, water management, and Ecological Engineering.

Academic Programs

Ecology, economics, material flows, and resource management permeate the academics at Magdeburg College. The close relationship between the Department of Water Management and Ecological Engineering is shown in the mandatory academic modules for the master's program, which include ecology, water management, hydrology, and hydraulic engineering, as well as planning, law, and politics.

The modules and submodules that are part of the graduate studies in Ecological Engineering at Magdeburg are shown in Table 1. 

There are many course options for projects and practical courses to satisfy the students' needs. Students have access to cooperative programs with the German Ecological Association, San Diego State University in California, as well enterprises and administrative bodies in German local and state agencies.

Small study groups, easy access to the faculty and modern learning equipment, limited because of fiscal contraints at most German institutions of higher learning, are still available at Magdeburg. The College was completely remodeled and modernized in 1999.

The number of master's degree candidates in any program has varied between 11 and 20 students in recent years. A close relationship between professors and students is encouraged and promotes focused work in specialized areas with faculty and the members of seminars and workgroups.

Currently approximately 50% of the students come from abroad, e.g., China, Australia, France, and the United States.  Because of this high percentage of foreign students, German and English are treated equally as languages of choice. Students wishing to study here should, however, have a working knowledge of the German language because some texts and working materials are only available in German.

Notes, Dates & Address

Thanks to: Prof. em. Dr. Axel Claesges