Current topics for BSc and MSc theses
(1) Ecological Modelling Projects
Topic: Development of a Spatio-Temporal Rainfall Simulation R Package for Semi-Arid Ecosystems
Rainfall in semi-arid ecosystems is highly variable in both space and time and strongly influences vegetation dynamics.
- This project reimplements and extends established stochastic rainfall models (temporal Markov-chain model and spatial SERGE model) as a reusable R package with a compiled backend (C++, for example).
- The resulting package will support standalone temporal and spatial simulation as well as combined spatio-temporal rainfall generation, providing tools that can be directly integrated into ecological modelling studies.
- The project includes a strong programming component (R and C++). It is suitable for internship, BSc, or MSc level.
Students join the ecological modelling group, participate in weekly meetings, and can use workspace in the lab.
Interested or curious? Contact Sebastian: shanss@uni-goettingen.de
(2) Research Software & Modelling Infrastructure Projects
Topic: Extending NLRX for Generic Simulation Models in R
Simulation experiments often require systematic exploration of large parameter spaces. NLRX is an R package designed for this purpose, but it is currently closely tied to NetLogo models.
- This project aims to generalise NLRX so it can support arbitrary simulation models callable from R.
- You will design and implement an abstraction layer that separates experiment design from model-specific execution. A toy ecological simulation model will serve as a proof-of-concept, and you will contribute to extending the package documentation. The result will strengthen reproducible and scalable simulation workflows in ecological modelling.
- Substantial programming in R is expected; advanced R programming and package development skills can be developed during the project.
- The scope can be tailored for internship, BSc, or MSc level.
Students join the ecological modelling group, participate in weekly meetings, and can use workspace in the lab.
Interested or curious? Contact Sebastian: shanss@uni-goettingen.de
Topic: Developing an Agent-Based Modelling Framework Beyond NetLogo
NetLogo is widely used for teaching agent-based modelling because it is accessible, but it has limitations in scalability and software tooling.
- This project explores whether a modern workflow can combine NetLogo-like accessibility with improved scalability for research applications.
- A minimum goal is to explore existing ABM frameworks and reimplement the classic wolf–sheep–grass model to compare the different frameworks.
- The project connects teaching usability with research-grade modelling workflows.
- The scope can be tailored for internship, BSc, or MSc level.
Students join the ecological modelling group, participate in weekly meetings, and can use workspace in the lab.
Interested or curious? Contact Sebastian: shanss@uni-goettingen.de
General remarks on topics for MSc- and BSc-theses
We supervise master's and bachelor's theses of students of any discipline (especially forestry, biological and agricultural sciences) with an interest in ecological modeling or spatial statistics. Often, participation in ongoing research projects is possible. Literature-based review-style theses are also possible. You are also welcome to bring your own ideas. Just write to Katrin Meyer (Katrin.Meyer*forst.uni-goettingen.de), ideally with the following information:- Which topics and which methods are interesting to you in general?
- Do you have an own idea that you would like to implement?
- Do you have any experience with programming languages, R, modelling, or statistics or would you be interested in learning a language (depending on the thesis topic, of course)?
- Would you like to develop a new model, extend an existing model, analyze an existing model, perform a data analysis, develop a method, develop a model concept, or write a literature review?
- Until when do you want to complete the thesis, when do you want to start?
- Would you be willing to work in English?
Examples of completed theses:
- Ecohydrological modeling of fairy circle patterns
- Simulation of the behavior of wildland fires in savanna ecosystems
- Extreme shifts in rattan yield with increasing harvesting intensity revealed with a simulation model
- Modelling avian alpha-diversity in the land use transformation systems of Indonesia
- LiDAR-based analysis of vegetation structure in Triodia grasslands with scattered shrubs and trees in Western Australia.
- Distribution of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid in honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) and its effect on the egg-laying rate of the queen bee
- A lingua franca for neutral landscape models: Developing a classification approach to advise their future usage
- How does the percolation threshold behave in relation to host density in case of a pandemic at the example of Great gerbil populations?