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Erasmus Mundus Joint Master in Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management

Center in charge: Global Change Research Institute (GCRI) campus: Móstoles
method of teaching: In person (English)  Code: 6600
Credits: 120 ECTS  Duration: two years
Fees: See table
academic calendar       Schedule
Academic Co-director: Ms. Silvia Matesanz García  Technical Co-Director:  Mr. Rubén Milla Gutierrez
Email:     Phone number: 914887080 / 914884645
Master Student information: Phone number: 91 488 5060   
Website: https://globe-master.eu/

 

What will I learn by studying this Master?

By enrolling in the GLOBE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program in Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management, you'll gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to address environmental challenges and biodiversity loss. The curriculum spans four semesters across multiple countries, offering a diverse learning experience. In the first semester at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, you'll study global change drivers and their ecological impacts. The second semester at Bangor University in the UK focuses on biodiversity conservation strategies. The third semester at Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal emphasizes environmental management applications. A summer school in Mexico provides hands-on experience, and the final semester is dedicated to a master's thesis at a partner institution of your choice. This program equips you with the expertise to develop and implement effective conservation and environmental management practices.

Is this Master official in accordance with the regulations of the European Higher Education Area?

Yes, the master program is being independently accredited in the four participating countries.

What topics will be covered in this Master?

The GLOBE Master explores global change ecology and biodiversity management through an interdisciplinary approach. Key topics include global change drivers, biodiversity conservation, ecological sustainability, and environmental management. You'll gain expertise in ecological modeling, conservation genetics, environmental governance, and bioeconomy. The program is taught across Spain, the UK, Portugal, and Mexico, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on fieldwork. A summer school in Mexico offers immersive training in a megadiverse region. The final semester focuses on a research thesis at a partner institution, preparing you to tackle environmental challenges and develop innovative conservation strategies worldwide.

Objectives

The GLOBE Master aims to train professionals capable of understanding and addressing biodiversity loss and environmental challenges caused by global change. The program provides interdisciplinary knowledge and practical tools to assess ecological impacts, design conservation strategies, and manage ecosystems sustainably. Students will develop analytical and problem-solving skills while integrating scientific research with policy and management approaches. A strong emphasis is placed on international collaboration, innovation, and the application of cutting-edge techniques in biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Graduates will be prepared to contribute to science-based decision-making in academia, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.

skills

The GLOBE program provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate specific learning outcomes:

Knowledge

K01

The students will understand the magnitude of human impact on the biosphere, the drivers of global change and the current biodiversity crisis.

K02

The students will gain advanced knowledge on how global change influences evolutionary responses, impacting extinction, migration, and adaptation.

K03

The students will be familiar with advanced statistical analyzes and modeling techniques applied to studies of biodiversity and conservation.

K04

The students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of practical techniques in wildlife conservation and the mechanisms aimed at influencing human behavior for conservation goals.

K05

The students will be familiar with the principles of conservation genetics and genetics approaches to real-world problems in conservation.

K06

The students will be familiar with the strategies for assessing and conserving groups of organisms, communities, ecosystems, and ecosystem services impacted by global change.

K07

The students will attain a comprehensive understanding of ecological sustainability, sustainable development, and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

K08

The students will understand the global transition from a carbon-based economy to a bioeconomy, gaining fundamental knowledge about environmental economy, circular bioeconomy and natural capital.

K09

The students will acquire a foundational understanding of risk analysis, environmental assessment processes and the essential technical knowledge to comprehend and participate in strategic environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment processes.

K10

The students will gain understanding of environmental governance mechanisms at different spatial scales, encompassing global, regional, and local contexts.

Skills & Tools

Sk01

Ability to synthesize and integrate knowledge from diverse areas such as global change, biodiversity conservation, evolutionary responses, and environmental governance, integrating concepts to form a comprehensive understanding.

Sk02

Proficiency in communicating complex ecological and environmental concepts through various channels, including scientific documentation, technical reports, policy briefings, and presentations to different audiences.

Sk03

Ability to apply advanced analyzes and modeling techniques to real-world studies in biodiversity and conservation management, integrating data analysis with ecological understanding.

Sk04

Capacity to apply practical techniques in wildlife conservation, incorporating the principles of conservation genetics to address complex and multifaceted conservation challenges and the application of evolution as a management tool.

Sk05

Ability to develop sustainable practices by integrating knowledge of ecological sustainability, environmental assessment processes, and environmental governance mechanisms.

Sk06

Capacity to develop problem-solving in conservation and environmental management contexts, integrating diverse perspectives and considering the long-term implications of proposed solutions.

Competences

COMP01

The graduates will be able to effectively address complex ecological challenges by synthesizing and integrating knowledge across diverse disciplines, including global change, biodiversity conservation, environmental management and governance.

COMP02

The graduates will be capable of critically contextualizing knowledge, establishing interconnections with social, economic, and environmental issues, at both local and/or global levels.

COMP03

The graduates will be able to apply synthesized knowledge to develop innovative and sustainable solutions, demonstrating an ability to navigate and solve real-world problems in a transdisciplinary context.

COMP04

The graduates will be able to implement sustainable solutions by applying expertise in ecological sustainability, environmental assessment, and governance mechanisms, ensuring effective and lasting positive impacts on environmental challenges.

COMP05

The graduates will be able to strategically engage diverse stakeholders and decision-makers by proficiently communicating complex ecological and environmental concepts through various channels.

Access and Enrollment

Admission:

The requirements for access to the proposed title are according to article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, modified by Royal Decree 861/2010, of July 2:

  1. In order to access the official Master's degrees, it will be necessary to be in possession of an official Spanish university degree or another issued by a higher education institution belonging to another Member State of the European Higher Education Area that authorizes the same for access to the teachings of Master.
  2. Likewise, graduates in accordance with educational systems outside the European Higher Education Area will be able to access without the need for homologation of their degrees, after verification by the University that they accredit a level of training equivalent to the corresponding official Spanish university degrees and that authorize in the country issuing the title for access to postgraduate education. Access through this route will not imply, in any case, the homologation of the previous title of which the interested party is in possession, nor its recognition for other purposes than that of studying the Master's degree.

Recommended Requirements and Student Selection for the GLOBE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the GLOBE Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Program in Global Change Ecology and Biodiversity Management, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Academic Qualifications: A completed Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree or its equivalent, corresponding to a minimum of 180 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits. Qualifying degrees include Biology, Environmental Sciences, Forestry, Geography, Natural Resources, or related fields.
  • Language Proficiency: A minimum of B2 level proficiency in English, as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR).

Selection criteria

The selection process evaluates applicants based on:

  • Academic Merit: Relevance of the degree and courses studied, overall grades, and academic achievements.
  • References: Letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic or professional background.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Relevant work experience, internships, or volunteer activities related to the field.

Each application is assessed by the consortium institutions, and applicants are ranked based on these evaluations.

The application process to the 2nd edition (starting in academic year 2026-2027) of GLOBE is open from September 29th 2025 to January 5th 2026. Follow the link below to register your application.

Apply - Globe

Teaching Itinerary

Master Teacher guides

ACCESSING THE DEGREE TEACHING GUIDES

Teaching Itinerary

Code

Subject

ECTS

Vacation

Type

660001

Global change: drivers and impacts

6

1S

Mandatory

660002

Conservation strategies for biodiversity

4,5

1S

Mandatory

660003

Evolutionary consequences of global change

4,5

1S

Mandatory

660004

Statistical Modeling and Data Science

6

1S

Mandatory

660005

Scientific writing, reporting, and communication

4,5

1S

Mandatory

660006

Integrative field course

4,5

1S

Mandatory

660007

Genetics & Conservation of Small Populations

7,5

2S

Mandatory

660008

Human-Wildlife Coexistence

7,5

2S

Mandatory

660009

Practical/Research Methods in Wildlife Conservation

7,5

2S

Mandatory

660010

Botanical Ecology and Ecosystem Services

7,5

2S

Mandatory

660011

Summer School

5

3S

Mandatory

660012

Ecological Sustainability

3

3S

Mandatory

660013

Ecosystem Services and Bioeconomy

6

3S

Mandatory

660014

Environmental Assessment

6

3S

Mandatory

660015

Environmental Policies and Governance

6

3S

Mandatory

660016

Natural Risks

6

3S

Mandatory

660017

Project in Ecology and Environmental Management

3

3S

Mandatory

660020

Master thesis

25

I

Mandatory

Internship Placement

This master does not intend to conduct Placement

Mobility Programs

The University Master's Degrees, due to their duration and characteristics, generally do not specifically contemplate the mobility of their students. However, the Rey Juan Carlos University has different mobility programs for both students and University employees (PDI and PAS) and has procedures for the collection and analysis of information on these mobility programs.

Mobility URJC

Regulations

STUDENTS

TEACHING COORDINATION

COEXISTENCE REGIME

SCHOOL INSURANCE

ASSOCIATIONS

EVALUATION

  • Article 6.1.2. The favorable resolution of the request for total cancellation of registration does not necessarily imply the refund of the amount paid by the student. To do this, the requirements established in the Article 10.3 of the present regulations.
  • Article 11.3.  The extension of the period of permanence will be requested through the procedure established for this purpose by the Rey Juan Carlos University in the electronic office, within the established period. The Rector may authorize the continuation of studies in those cases in which exceptional causes, duly documented, have affected the academic performance of the students., valid for that academic year (up to a maximum of one year)
  • Article 11.4.  In accordance with what is established by the Article 4 of these regulations, those students whose request to remain is resolved favorably will have to enroll in all the remaining subjects to complete their studies.
  • Article 11.5.  For subjects with an indefinite call, once the extension of the permanence period is granted, the fees corresponding to the second and successive registrations will be paid according to the corresponding Public Price Decree as long as they have been previously enrolled in that subject.
  • Article 12.4.  Once this is granted, the student must enroll in accordance with the provisions of the Article 4 of the present regulations.
  • Article 12.5.  For subjects with an indefinite call, once continuity in the University Master's studies is granted, the fees corresponding to the second and successive registrations will be paid according to the corresponding Public Price Decree as long as they have been previously enrolled in that subject.

 

Quality Guarantee

Link RUCT

Link BOCM

Composition of the committee

Composition of the committee

Report on Results

Once the follow-up on the Degree is carried out, the quantitative information concerning the results of the follow-up for each academic year is shown.

Report on Results:    

General Information Collection Plan

Within the Quality Guarantee System at Rey Juan Carlos University, the following surveys are planned:

 - Profile of the students

-Teacher assessment

- Degree of satisfaction:

  • Student
  • Of graduates
  • Of the teaching staff
  • Of administration and services staff

- Labor insertion

-External practices:

  • student satisfaction
  • External tutor satisfaction
  • Satisfaction of evaluators

Survey results:

Steps towards Improvement

The Quality Assurance System of the Rey Juan Carlos University establishes that the Quality Assurance Committee of the degree is the information derived from the indicators of the degree and the achievement of a report that includes improvement plans if the results indicate.

Recognition of quality

Accreditation renewal supposes the culmination of the implementation of the official undergraduate and Master's degrees registered in the University, Center, and Degree Register. The accreditation renewal of official undergraduate and Master's degrees is organized in three phases: self-assessment report, external visit, and final assessment.

In the first phase, the university describes and assesses the situation of the degree with respect to the established criteria and guidelines. The result is the Self-Assessment report that is presented. The second and third phases are carried out by a group of assessors who are external to the degree in question.”