MSc in Wildlife Management Engineering

1. Name of the master’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: master's degree (magister, master; abbreviated: MSc)
• qualification: Wildlife Management Engineer

3. Field of study: Agriculture

4. Degrees accepted as prerequisites for entry into the master's programme

4.1. The following undergraduate programme can be considered for full credit: BSc in wildlife management engineering

4.2. By completing the credits specified in point 9.3., majors in the agricultural and natural science fields may also be taken in consideration. 

5. Training period in semesters: 4 semesters

6. The number of credits required to obtain a master's degree: 120 credits

• orientation of the major: balanced (40-60 percent)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 25 credits
• minimum credit value of related practical training outside the institution: 5 credits
• minimum credit value assigned to optional subjects: 6 credits

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

8. The training objective and professional competencies of the master's programme

The aim of the training is to train wildlife management engineers who have the professional, natural science and technical and economic knowledge necessary for the practical and theoretical cultivation and management of their field, as well as the knowledge appropriate to the practice of their field. With an ecological, environmentally conscious food chain approach, they are able to utilize natural resources in a renewable and sustainable manner, and to recognize and evaluate ecosystem services. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral training.

8.1. The professional competencies to be acquired

8.1.1. The Wildlife Management Engineer

a) according to his/her knowledge

• knows and understands the processes taking place in the field of game management and wildlife biology (the biological, technical, legal conditions of game management, its social embeddedness), and the connections between them.
• has a certain knowledge of natural science fields related to the field of game management and wildlife biology, knows their most important connections, theories and the conceptual systems that build them.
• has a detailed knowledge of the operation of wildlife management and the factors influencing it, is aware of the role of wildlife management in preserving and developing the countryside.
• has detailed knowledge of the planning and implementation methods, rules and related characteristics of the wildlife management activity system - both in domestic and international relations.
• is able to adapt the basic concepts and processes of food chain safety during the handling and distribution of shot game, as well as the production of wild food.
• knows the specifics of team and project work, has leadership skills, knows the hierarchical system of game management and hunting participants, and the tasks of each management and implementation level.
• knows the strategic role of K+F+I (Research, Development, Innovation) in wildlife management.
• has insight into the connections between the European Union and domestic game management policy, as well as K+F+I activities at the game management unit level, the existing interactions and systems of relationships.
• knows the specific research methods, abstraction techniques, and ways of developing practical aspects of theoretical issues in game management and game biology.
• knows the different methods of game management and game biology data collection and the potential they hold.
• can apply all of these and teach their application.
• knows the methods and tools of professional and effective oral, written, and network communication.
• knows and understands the special vocabulary of wildlife biology and wildlife management.
• possesses modern management theory and organizational management knowledge that can be applied in his/her field of activity, in order to strengthen the efficiency and health-supportiveness of work organizations.

b) according to his/her competencies

• able to develop their own position and defend it in debate on general social, agricultural and special issues related to wildlife management.
• knows, understands and applies the basic principles of environmental and nature protection, their regulations related to wildlife management 
• follows the defining domestic and international literature on wildlife management and wildlife biology in an understandable and analytical manner.
• able to independently interpret and apply the legislation related to their professional activities.
• able to define, plan and organize the activity system of wildlife management.
• able to create the conditions for change and implement the change in order to modernize the work of the organization.
• able to perform a detailed analysis of the different areas of ideas that make up the knowledge system of wildlife management, to explore comprehensive and special connections.
• able to identify professional problems, to approach them in a versatile, interdisciplinary way, and to explore and formulate the detailed theoretical and practical background necessary for their solution.
• able to formulate and evaluate analyses of agricultural economics across sectors, in their contexts, in a complex manner.
• analyzes the work, activities, and practical problems of the managed organization with scientific rigor and appropriate methods.
• able to express oneself in writing and orally in Hungarian and foreign languages ​​in his/her field of expertise, and to participate in discussions.
• knows, processes, interprets, and applies the knowledge transfer techniques and Hungarian and foreign language publication sources of the field of expertise in his/her work.
• able to use modern IT tools and communicate professionally and effectively verbally and in writing.
• able to prioritize environmentally friendly solutions that support the health of individuals and society during engineering work.

c) according to his/her attitude

• knows and accepts the comprehensive and special relationships, the professional identity that constitute the specific character, personal and community role of wildlife management.
• is open and receptive to learning about and applying modern and innovative procedures in practice.
• is an active participant in research and development projects.
• is open to paradigm shifts in the agricultural sector.
• is committed to environmental and nature protection, as well as sustainable wildlife management.
• recognizes values, is receptive to the application of methods and tools that provide effective solutions.
• recognizes and accepts - due to the specificities of the field - the limitations and risks of his decisions.
• is characterized by law-abiding behavior in his work and expects this from his subordinates as well.
• it is important for him/her to adhere to the ethical rules and norms of scientific research.
• forms his/her opinions on professional grounds and represents them consistently.
• accepts the differing opinions of others, if they are sufficiently supported by professional reasons.
• is able to synthesize his/her knowledge and organize his/her self-education effectively, not only in professional but also in general areas of education.

d) according to his/her autonomy and responsibility

• has a high degree of independence in developing comprehensive and special professional issues and representing professional views.
• takes responsibility for all of this.
• thinks about and represents the ethical issues of hunting and wildlife management throughout.
• feels responsible for the development of the role of wildlife management in the countryside.
• based on his/her practical experience, he independently decides on the method and timing of the implementation of specific work processes.
• makes decisions with a sense of professional responsibility.
• takes responsibility for the consequences of his decisions.
• takes responsibility for the initiative in establishing cooperation.
• is an equal partner in cooperation between professional and specialized fields.
• is able to provide the necessary conditions for the implementation of specific activities, to continuously manage and control the implementation, and to organize this.
• is able to practically implement various functions of management, to motivate those managed, to evaluate their performance, and to legally and effectively handle emerging conflicts.
• able to form and independently manage a team or project.

9. Characteristics of the master programme

9.1. Professional characteristics

The disciplines and scientific areas leading to the qualification on which the programme is built:

• knowledge areas that underpin the training (statistical, biometric knowledge; communication and management knowledge; wildlife biology, genetics and behavior and ecology knowledge; European Union and international professional, nature conservation and legal, food chain safety knowledge) 12-30 credits;
• professional knowledge of wildlife management engineering (wildlife biological research and monitoring; sectoral valuation and damage assessment; integrated small game, big game and habitat management; professional policy and international game management issues; land registry and GIS knowledge; prevention, hygiene and treatment in game management; game processing; hunting tourism, catering and marketing; application techniques and project management; professional culture and ethics) 24-48 credits;
• optional profession-specific knowledge areas (special courses appropriate to the field and institutional characteristics, individual tasks, internships, study trips, and detailed wildlife biologist knowledge) 12-30 credits.

9.2. Requirements for the internship

The internship has  at least two weeks duration as specified in the training curriculum.

9.3. Minimum entry requirements into the master's degree cycle for holders of the diploma specified in point 4.2.

The minimum number of credits required for entry into a master's degree programme other than a bachelor's degree is 84 credits, as follows:

• at least 10 credits in the field of natural science, wildlife management, wildlife biology, and ecology;
• at least 10 credits in the field of forestry, agriculture, environment, and habitat knowledge;
• at least 5 credits in the field of economic and management technical and legal knowledge.

The condition for admission to a master's degree programme is that the student has at least 60 credits based on his/her previous studies. The missing credits must be obtained according to the Study and Examination Regulations of the higher education institution.