A CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) is a further education qualification from a Universities.

• Duration: Usually 1 semester part-time
• Title: "Certificate of Advanced Studies in (subject)"
• Recognition: International comparability via ECTS points
• ECTS points (European Credit Transfer System = international credit points)

More continuing education, further training courses are offered in the areas of biodiversity and species than the CAS in Phytobenthos - Aquatic Plants and Algae. For example, courses are offered on the topics of marcozoobenthos, vegetation analysis and field botany, mammals, nature in settlement areas and freshwater fish in Europe. For further topics, please contact the individual Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities directly.

The CAS Phytobenthos lasts 18 months with 21 face-to-face courses, which generally take place on Fridays and Saturdays. In this way, it is perfectly possible to continue working in consultation with your supervisor.

The certificate course "Phytobenthos - Aquatic Plants and Algae" consists of three modules, each worth four, five and six ECTS credits. Module 1, with seven attendance days and four ECTS credits, deals with bioindications. Participants receive an introduction to the examination and assessment methods for watercourses, learn about the IBEM method for assessing standing water bodies and the FOEN's modular step-by-step concept (chemistry, hydrology, external aspects, macrophytes, ecomorphology, diatoms), as well as diatom, algae and macrophyte ecology and systematics. In the second module "Species Knowledge" with 6 ECTS and 14 attendance days, algae, macroalgae, diatoms, macrophytes, lichens and mosses are identified in different bodies of water. The third module is the CAS final thesis, without attendance days.

The CAS in Phytobenthos is aimed at people with a university degree who would like to undertake further training. However, people without this level of education from the fields of aquatic ecology, species and nature conservation, water monitoring, education or water protection can also take part in the certificate course if they have the appropriate qualifications, as can interested private individuals.

To attend the CAS Phytobenthos, basic knowledge of the most important aquatic basics is mandatory.

The Certificate of Advanced Studies CAS in Phytobenthos - Aquatic Plants and Algae is not part of a Master of Advanced Studies MAS, but an independent continuing education course.

The CAS Phytobenthos - Aquatic Plants and Algae certificate course comprises 21 attendance days, as well as the preparation of a final thesis and, of course, self-study. In total, the course lasts approximately 1.5 years.