BSc in Wildlife Management Engineering

1. Name of the bachelor’s programme: Wildlife Management Engineering

2. The level of qualification that can be obtained in the programme and the designation of the qualification in the diploma:

• level of qualification: bachelor (baccalaureus, bachelor; abbreviated: BSc-) degree
• qualification: Wildlife Management Engineer  ​​​​

3. Field of study: Agriculture

4. Training period in semesters: 7 semesters

5. Number of credits required to obtain a bachelor’s degree: 180+30 credits

• orientation of the major: balanced (40-60 percent)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 15 credits
• minimum credit value of related practical training outside the institution: 30 credits
• minimum credit value assigned to optional subjects: 10 credits

6. The field of study classification according to the unified classification system for training areas of qualifications: 623/0821

7. Training objectives and professional competencies of the bachelor’s programme

The aim of the training is to train Wildlife Management engineers who, based on their ecological, environmentally conscious, food chain approach, are able to plan, organize, manage and implement the general and specific tasks of game protection, game management, natural resource management and nature conservation. During the working relationship with the game population as a renewable natural value, farmers or other organizations (forestry, agriculture, fisheries, grassland management, rural and settlement development organizations), the wildlife management engineers can enforce the principles and regulations of game protection and nature conservation, and the interests of game management; they are suitable for performing special tasks of game management, for education with a nature conservation approach and for organizing hunting tourism. They possess modern management theory and organizational management knowledge applicable in their field of activity to strengthen the efficiency and health-supporting nature of work organizations. They are prepared to continue their studies in a master's degree programme.

7.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

7.1.1. The Wildlife Management Engineer

a) according to his/her knowledge

• knows the main basic concepts and facts of the field of wildlife biology and wildlife management, the sectoral characteristics, connections and the specialized vocabulary of the field.
• knows the management system of wildlife management and related agricultural fields, especially crop production, animal husbandry, forestry and nature conservation, the related institutional network, functions and processes.
• knows, understands and applies the basic principles of environmental and nature protection, their regulations related to wildlife management.
• knows and understands the operation of tools, instruments and machines that can be used in wildlife management and during the data collection that forms the basis for it.
• knows the animal health and food safety legislation of wildlife management and hunting, the related institutional network, functions and processes.
• has knowledge of the basic ethical rules of wildlife management and hunting and are familiar with the ethical code of hunters.
• knows the possibilities and methods of keeping and utilizing game, the food hygiene conditions for handling and selling hunted game, the rules for storing, transporting and processing game as a food raw material.
• knows the possibilities and necessity of further training in the field.
• is aware of the job opportunities available with the qualification, knows the levels of professional advancement and has the forms, methods and tools of communication necessary to achieve them.
• knows and understands the general connections and interactions of the processes taking place in game management, has the most important theoretical and methodological foundations necessary for this, and the related practical knowledge.
• is informed about the basic functions and connections of agricultural policy and game management-related (support, taxation) policies. Has management knowledge applicable to game management, regardless of the size and type of the business unit.
• possesses the knowledge necessary to identify problems in the field of wildlife management and the relevant information collection, analysis and problem-solving methods.
• with his/her professional knowledge, he/she understands and sees the role and purpose of research, development and innovation activities in agricultural economics and wildlife management.

b) according to his/her competencies

• able to develop a professional position in the field of wildlife management and wildlife biology data collection, evaluate the different positions of others and discuss and defend any opposing or contradictory positions during discussions.
• able to plan and conduct procedures, allocate resources, participate in the development of proposals that underpin professional decisions, and draw conclusions.
• able to manage enterprises, wildlife management units, and production facilities operating in the field of wildlife management and to operate their management professionally, taking into account environmental management, environmental protection, nature conservation, and food safety regulations.
• able to conduct detailed analysis based on knowledge and methods related to the field, to explore fundamental relationships, and to draw independent conclusions.
• able to effectively use tools that assist written and oral communication.
• able to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of using the opportunities offered by internet technology, and if necessary, to use them consciously and professionally.

c) according to his/her attitude

• assumes represents and authentically the ecological, economic and social role of wildlife management and wildlife biology.
• not only knows but also represents the most important values ​​and results of his/her field in an accepting and understanding manner.
• understands and applies the rules of professional and general human communication in wildlife management and the agricultural field.
• accepts the importance of professional development and career planning, with particular regard to the continuous renewal of knowledge necessary for the successful conservation and utilization of natural resources, including wildlife.
• approaches professional issues constructively, takes initiative, and is receptive to new ideas.
• is receptive to the opinions of others, to sectoral, regional, national and European values ​​(including social, ecological and sustainability aspects).
• critically accepts the work and organizational culture and ethical principles of his/her workplace. He/she has an environmentally conscious approach and applies his/her knowledge of sustainable management of natural resources.
• is sensitive to problems arising in wildlife management, strives to analyze and solve them. He/she approaches the solution of emerging professional problems with a cooperative intention.
• is receptive to receiving the knowledge necessary for the operation of tools, instruments and equipment related to the field.
• is open to authentically conveying the basic results and characteristics of wildlife biology and related scientific fields to both professional and non-professional target groups.
• is capable of effective self-education and finding the necessary resources for this.
• is able to understand the conditions necessary for professional advancement in the field of agriculture and is thus able to plan his/her career.
• is able to prioritize environmentally friendly solutions that support the health of individuals and society during engineering work.

d) according to his/her responsibility

• his/her sense of responsibility is also manifested in terms of professional, legal, ethical norms and rules related to their work and behavior.
• independently plans his/her own professional advancement.
• independently exercises management functions at the level of production organizational units and take responsibility for their decisions.
• takes responsibility for their own work and the work of their colleagues under their supervision.
• takes responsibility for the consequences of their statements and opinions.
• forms a professionally sound, responsible and independent opinions on the practical applicability of theoretical knowledge.
• is responsibly able to summarize the knowledge of their field in their native language and to convey it orally and in writing to a professional audience.
• He/she understands information in foreign languages ​​related to their field and independently use special technical terms related to wildlife management.
• is capable of directly managing the subtasks of the project at the operational level in a research project under professional supervision.
• his/her sense of responsibility and independence is also manifested in relation to legal, ethical norms and rules related to research, development and innovation activities.

8. Characteristics of the programme

8.1. Professional characteristics

8.1. The disciples and scientific fields leading to the professional qualification, on which the major is built:

- basic knowledge in natural sciences, agriculture, technology, nature and environmental protection, and social sciences 50-80 credits:

• basic knowledge of natural sciences, technology, nature and environmental protection, and water management,
• basic knowledge in general law, administration, communication, and management,
• basic knowledge in the agricultural sector (crop production, animal husbandry, and forestry),
• basic knowledge of wildlife biology, wildlife management, and hunting,
• basic knowledge in food safety;

-  wildlife management engineering professional knowledge 70-100 credits (hunting organization and hunting ethics, game biology, sectoral law and administration, game land management and game feeding, habitat management and development, stock utilization, game damage prevention and assessment, game management planning, game health, cynology, knowledge of weapons and ammunition, occupational safety, trophy management and evaluation, knowledge of indoor game management, trade and marketing of game meat, wild food and wild animal derivatives);

- Optional special subjects in wildlife biology and wildlife management, the credit ratio of which is a maximum of 50 credits, including the credit value of the thesis.

8.2.  Requirements for internship

The internship consists of two parts: a total of three to five weeks of practical training related to the professional theoretical training, the completion of which is a criterion condition without credit value, and a professional internship lasting one semester (thirteen to fifteen weeks).