UNIVERSITY OF PANNONIA
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc
CURRICULUM
PROGRAM HEAD:
Dr. Mihály Pósfai
Professor
Accepted according to resolution No....... . of the Faculty Council
-------------------------------Dr. Mihály Pósfai
Program Head
------------------------------------Dr. Ottó Horváth
Dean
2008
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
PEMKKTM
1. PROGRAM LICENCE AND ACCREDITATION

The establishment of the Environmental Science Masters Program and its academic and
output requirements were approved and regulated by the Ministry of Education Decree
No........ about the academic and output requirements of the basic and masters level
higher education programs.

The Environmental Science MSc program at the University of Pannonia was accredited
by the Hungarian Accreditation Committee in Resolution No. MAB 2008/6/IX/2/9.
2. OBJECTIVE
To train professionals who have a broad knowledge across traditional science disciplines and
use the tools of scientific research to study and solve environmental issues, and are able to
continue their studies in graduate schools.
3. DURATION OF TRAINING:
4 semesters
4. TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS:
120
5. TYPE OF TRAINING:
Full-time
6. TYPE OF DEGREE:
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
7. TITLE OF DEGREE:
Environmental Researcher
Date:
Prepared by: Mihály Pósfai
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Version: 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
PEMKKTM
8. STRUCTURE OF CURRICULUM:
The basic modules of the curriculum are presented below as required by the academic and
output requirements.
1. Basic courses:
15 credits
applied mathematics, physics and chemistry of geospheres, global and regional changes,
applied ecology
2. Core courses:
32 credits
environmental sampling, techniques for environmental analysis, materials in
the environment, types of pollution, environment and society (legal,
economic, communication and finance issues), field practice
3. Specialized courses:
37 credits
Specializations: atmospheric environment
limnology
Thesis
10 credits
Total 120 credits
The table below contains the list of courses, grouped according to modules, and the names of
instructors who are responsible for each course.
For each course, its type (lecture, seminar, or laboratory practice), credit value, responsible
instructor, and prerequisite courses are listed in the course description, and changes to any of these
characteristics is considered a change of curriculum.
All changes to the curriculum must be approved by the Faculty Council.
Course descriptions also contain the components of the course and the requirements for course
completion (such as obligatory attendence and exam types). Changes to these characteristics
should be approved by the Program Committee.
Instructors involved in the teaching of each course can be chosen by the head of the
responsible department.
As an elective course any courses taught at the Faculty of Engineering can be chosen.
Applications for the acceptance of credits obtained at other faculties or universities should be
submitted according to the procedure described in the Rules of Studies and Exams.
Model study lines are shown in Appendix 2, indicating prerequisites and the recommended
semester for each course.
Date:
Prepared by: Mihály Pósfai
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
Course title
Basic courses:
Credit
Responsible staff
PEMKKTM
Responsible department
15
Environmental data analysis
4
Dr. András Liker
Dept. of Limnology
Biogeochemical cycles
2
Dr. Ottó Horváth
Dept. of General and Inorganic
Chemistry
Applied ecology
3
Dr. Judit Padisák
Dept. of Limnology
Water chemistry
3
Dr. Rita Földényi
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Geochemistry
3
Dr. Mihály Pósfai
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Dept. of Limnology
Core courses
32
Evolutionary biology
2
Dr. András Liker
Physiological and biochemical bases of ecology
3
Dr. Emil Páldi
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Advanced environmental analytical chemistry
8
Dr. Gyula Kiss
Microscope methods in materials analysis
2
Dr. Mihály Pósfai
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Environmental modeling
3
Dr. Ágnes Molnár
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Scientific communication
4
Dr. Judit Padisák
Dept. of Limnology
Introduction into environmental research
4
Dr. Mihály Pósfai
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Field practice
6
Dr. Béla Raucsik
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Specialized courses
37
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT SPECIALIZATION
Air chemistry
4
Dr. András Gelencsér
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Atmospheric physics
3
Dr. Ágnes Molnár
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Global climate change: causes and
consequences
3
Dr. András Gelencsér
Dept. of Earth and Environmental
Sciences
Air quality protection
3
Dr. Ákos Rédey
Elective laboratory practice I.
8
Supervisor
Supervisor’s department
Elective laboratory practice II.
16
Supervisor
Supervisor’s department
Limnoecology
8
Dr. Judit Padisák
Dept. of Limnology
Aquatic ecotoxicology
2
Dr. Nóra Kováts
Institute of Environmental Engineering
Ecophysiology and experimental design
3
Dr. Szabolcs Nagy
Institute of Environmental Engineering
LIMNOLOGY SPECIALIZATION
Dept. of Limnology
Date:
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Elective laboratory practice I.
8
Supervisor
Supervisor’s department
Elective laboratory practice II.
16
Supervisor
Supervisor’s department
9. STUDY AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:
9.1.
Comprehensive examinations, requirements
Any course taken at the BSc level cannot be considered equivalent to courses at the MSc level.
In the Environmental Science MSc program there are no comprehensive examinations.
Students not complying with any of the requirements below must be dismissed:
-
BSc-level “catch-up” courses should be completed within the first two semesters.
-
At least 60 credits from the compulsory courses of the MSc program should be obtained
during the first 4 semesters.
-
A maximum of three attempts can be made to complete any course, the course should be
completed at least at the third attempt.
The duration of the model program is 4 semesters. Legally, student status can be maintained for a
maximum of 6 semesters according to Faculty Council Resolution no. xx./2007-2008.(III.29.).
9.2.
Specializations:
There are two specializations (study lines) in the Environmental Science MSc program.
Based on the number of applications for any of the study lines, and considering the criteria set
for the number of students (minimum number of students required to start a study line, maximum
number of students in each study line) – admittance to a study line is approved or rejected by the
Program Head.
9.3.
Internship:
There is no requirement for a compulsory internship to complete outside of the University of
Pannonia. However, a compulsory summer field practice is included in the program between the
2nd and 3rd semesters.
Date:
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
9.4.
PEMKKTM
Thesis requirements:
The thesis work is performed by the student independently, under the supervision of an advisor. The
thesis work is preceded by research performed in the „Elective laboratory practice I and II” courses,
in which the student obtained skills that are necessary for independent scientific research. The
student is expected to show that he/she is able to collect, understand and critically evaluate the
literature in a chosen field, can use his/her knowledge in a research project, and can interpret and
present his/her results. The specific requirements for the presentation of the thesis are given in the
document entitled „Thesis requirements in the Environmental Science Program”.
9.5.
–
–
–
9.6.
Requirements for taking the final examination:
Completion of all courses as detailed in Appendix 2.
Submission of a diploma thesis.
Language exam.
Specifics of the final exam, degree grading
Parts of the final exam:
– thesis defence (D),
– oral exam in the following subjects, based on:
1. Effects of human activity on the environment (T1)
2/A In the Atmospheric environment study line: Air chemistry (T2)
2/B In the Limnology study line: Limnoecology (T2)
The grade of the final exam (Z) is calculated as: Z = (2D+T1+T2)/4
Grade of the degree:
honors degree (5)
excellent (5)
good (4)
fair (3)
poor (2)
Z = 5,00
4,51  Z  5,00
3,51  Z  4,50
2,51  Z  3,50
2,00  Z  2,50
10. SPECIAL CONDITION FOR DEGREE ISSUANCE:
For the MSc degree to be issued the student must possess the equivalent of a C-level, staterecognized certificate of proficiency in a foreign language that is used in the literature of
environmental science.
Date:
Prepared by: Mihály Pósfai
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2008. 09. 25.
Version: 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
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11. SPECIAL COMPETENCES:
a) Environmental Researchers with an MSc degree will have knowledge of:
– the important physical, chemical, geological and biological processes taking place in the human
environment, on or near the Earth’s surface;
– spatial relationships among such processes on the micro-, meso- and macro levels;
– the issues of the simultaneous exploitation and preservation earth resources;
– application, planning and management principles derived from the theories, paradigms and
concepts related to environmental science;
– methods for the analysis of the composition, structure and distribution of solid, liquid and gas
constituents of environmental samples.
b) Environmental Researchers with an MSc degree will be able to:
– perform field and laboratory environmental studies, with regard to risk assessment, legal issues
and applicable health and safety regulations;
– prepare, interpret and present measured data by using the appropriate qualitative and quantitative
techniques and software packages;
– perform sampling and to appropriately handle the errors of sampling and laboratory analysis;
– plan and execute environmental sensitivity studies, in accordance with national and EU
regulations and expectations;
– fill positions in research institutes that involve independent planning, managing and expert tasks,
in workplaces that use the results if environmental science, in research and development, and in
governmental laboratories;
– engage in work with industry, agriculture, forestry, water management, health care and local
governments;
– solve problems related to nature preservation;
– understand the important physical, chemical, geological and biological processes taking place in
the human environment, on or near the Earth’s surface, and to develop a system view of these
processes;
– reveal and evaluate the spatial relationships among processes on the micro-, meso- and macro
levels in the environment;
– appreciate the importance of quality in environmental research;
– collect and organize the results of various types of (often fragmented) observations, on the basis
of which new hypotheses can be created and then tested;
– recognize and identify material types and properties that are important in environmental science,
and able to analyze these using the techniques of scientific research;
– analyze the distribution and structure of constituents of environmental samples in the nm-km
size range, as a function of space and time;
– plan, organize and implement research projects;
– collect, record and analyze data using the appropriate techniques both in the field and in the
laboratory,
– reconcile the field and laboratory results with theories through a process of obervation,
recognition, synthesis and modeling.
Date:
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2008. 09. 25.
Version: 1
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
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c) With a specialization in Atmospheric Environment, Environmental Researchers are able to:
– recognize and analyze the local, regional and global environmental effects of physical and
chemical processes taking place in the atmosphere;
– plan and implement the sampling and analysis of gases and aerosol particles in the atmopshere,
and to scientifically evaluate the observations.
d) With a specialization in Limnology, Environmental Researchers are able to:
– develop a broad understanding of environmental issues related to continental aquatic
environments, based on a detailed knowledge of the chemical, biological and geological
features of continental surficial waters;
– plan and implement experimental research related to natural continental surficial waters, and to
scientifically evaluate the observations.
12. APPENDICES:
Appendix 1:
Entrance requirements for the MSc program
(a) BSc degrees accepted for entrance into the MSc program without further conditions:
 Environmental science (BSc)
 Biology, Physics, Geography, Earth Sciences, Chemistry (all BSc level)
with environmental science specialization
 Environmental Engineering (BSc)
 Agricultural Environmental Management Engineering (BSc)
 Nature Protection Engineering (BSc)
(b) BSc degrees accepted for entrance into the MSc program with additional
conditions:
 Biology, Physics, Geography, Earth Sciences, Chemistry (all BSc level)
without environmental science specialization, Bioengineering (BSc)
and Chemical Engineering (BSc): 20 credits of the Environmental
Science BSc curriculum should be completed.
 Engineering and Agricultural Engineering BSc programs not listed in
a): 50 credits of the Environmental Science BSc curriculum should be
completed.
(c) Any other BSc degree: 100 credits of the Environmental Science BSc curriculum
should be completed (in other words: 80 credits can be accepted).
Date:
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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc CURRICULUM
Appendix 2:
PEMKKTM
Model curriculum
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MSc
PROGRAM MODEL CURRICULUM
Semester 1
Course title
Course code
Contact hours
(hour/week)
Credits
Requirement
Dept.
code
Prerequisite
E
Sz
L
2
2
0
4
G
LI
−
2
0
0
2
K
AK
−
Applied ecology
3
0
0
3
K
LI
−
Water chemistry
2
1
0
3
K+G
FKT
−
Geochemistry
Physiological and
biochemical bases of
ecology
Scientific communication
2
1
0
3
K
FKT
−
2
1
0
3
K+G
FKT
−
4
0
0
4
G
LI
−
4
0
0
4
G
FKT
−
2
0
0
2
K
-
_
23
5
0
28
Environmental data
analysis
Biogeochemical cycles
Introduction into
environmental research
Elective
Expected credits
Date:
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Semester 2
Course title
Course code
Evolutionary biology
Advanced environmental
analytical chemistry
Microscope methods in
materials analysis
Expected credits
Contact
hours
Require- Dept.
(hour/week) Credits
ment
code
E Sz L
Prerequisite
2
0
0
2
K
LI
_
4
0
4
8
K+G
FKT
_
1
0
1
2
G
FKT
_
7
0
5
12
Semester 3
Course title
Course code
Contact hours
(hour/week)
Credits
Requir Dept.
ement code
Prerequisite
E
Sz
L
Environmental
modeling
2
1
0
3
K
FKT
_
Field practice
0
0
6
6
G
FKT
_
Elective
4
0
0
4
K
-
-
Expected credits
6
1
6
13
Semester 4
Course title
Course code
Contact
hours
Require(hour/week) Credits
ment
E Sz L
Thesis work
0
0
30
30
Expected credits
0
0
30
30
G
Dept.
code
_
Prerequisite
_
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Atmospheric Environment Specialization
Semester 2
Contact
hours
Require
(hour/week) Credits
-ment
E Sz L
Dept.
code
Air chemistry
3
1
0
4
K
FKT
_
Atmospheric physics
2
1
0
3
K
FKT
_
Air quality protection
2
1
0
3
K
KM
Elective laboratory
practice I.
0
0
8
8
G
_
_
Environmental data
analysis;
Introduction into
environmental research
Expected credits
7
3
8
18
Course title
Course code
Prerequisite
Semester 4
Course title
Course code
Global climate change:
causes and consequences
Elective laboratory
practice II.
Expected credits
Contact
hours
Require- Dept.
(hour/week) Credits
ment
code
E Sz L
3
0
0
3
K
FKT
0
0
16
16
G
FKT
3
0
16
19
Prerequisite
Air chemistry;
Atmospheric physics
Elective laboratory practice
I.
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Limnology Specialization
Semester 2
Course title
Course code
Limnoecology
Ecophysiology and
experimental design
Contact
hours
(hour/week)
Credits
Require- Dept.
ment
code
E
Sz
L
4
0
4
8
K
LI
2
1
0
3
K
LI
Elective laboratory
practice I.
0
0
8
8
Expected credits
6
1
12
19
G
Prerequisite
Environmental data
analysis;
Introduction into
environmental research
_
Semester 3
Course title
Course code
Contact
hours
(hour/week)
Credits
Requirement
Dept.
code
E
Sz
L
Aquatic ecotoxicology
2
0
0
2
K
KM
Elective laboratory practice
II.
0
0
16
16
G
_
Expected credits
2
0
16
18
Prerequisite
Elective laboratory
practice I.
Date:
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Version: 1