Forestry and Wood Science (Master of Science)

Type of study: full time / part time

Standard period of study, credits : 4 semesters, 120 ECTS

Start of degree program: winter semester

Admission category: Aptitude Assessment for Master

Language of instruction:  German

Main location: Freising-Weihenstephan (Greater Munich area)

Tuition fees: none (information about the semester fee)

The specific characteristics of forestry include the long-term nature of forest production, its extensive dependence on site conditions, its large surface area and its great importance for society through the provision of numerous ecosystem services (provision of raw timber, climate protection, water protection, nature conservation, preservation of biodiversity, recreational space, etc.). In the TUM's Master's program in Forestry and Wood Science you will deal intensively with these aspects. Your studies focus on the four areas of production, environment, society and wood. These reflect the essential occupational fields in the industries and the breadth of studies. As well as gaining sound knowledge of the forest ecosystem and its dynamics, you will learn how to sustainably ensure the multifunctionality of forests under changing conditions through conservation and management.

The degree program focuses on the scientific principles of forestry as well as the technical processing and marketing of raw materials produced in the forest and other ecosystem services. In addition to the six areas of specialization, the wide range of elective modules gives you the opportunity to build your own profile and thus to specialize in your desired field.

In addition to full-time studies, we also offer part-time variants with 50% or 66%. With our Master’s in Forestry and Wood Science, you will dive even deeper into the complex ecosystem of the forest and ensure you are fit for your future.

Whether science, business, consulting or administration – the Master's program in Forestry and Wood Science opens the door to a variety of professional fields. You will get an initial insight into the professional world during the eight-week internship, which you will have to complete during your studies in organizations or companies from the forestry or timber industry.

The Master’s offers you the opportunity to acquire all the necessary professional skills for admission to the 4th qualification level of the forestry preparatory service. Multifaceted career prospects will open up for you, especially in private forest enterprises, state forest administrations, professional associations, wood trade and wood industry enterprises or in the field of research. In addition, your successful graduation will attract interest from NGOs, development aid and consulting companies.

Your studies focus on the four pillars of production, environment, society and wood. During your first semester you will learn essential technical and methodological skills for your further studies.

In the second and third semesters you have to choose three of the six possible areas of specialization, each of which consists of three modules. Available for selection: Wood as a Raw Material, Mountain Forest, Forest Management, International Forestry, Site Assessment and Use, as well as Landscape Development and Nature Conservation.

In addition, three modules must be taken from a wide range of elective modules. You can thus act according to your own interests and inclinations and develop your individual profile. To promote your personal development and to expand your personal skills, the program also includes the module Interdisciplinary Competences.

One of the special highlights of studying forestry with us at the TUM is the mountain forest research, which you learn directly through numerous teaching events and excursions. The natural dynamics of natural systems in the Alpine region can be experienced locally thanks to a link with the Berchtesgaden National Park. The Wood Research Munich as well as the teaching and research association TUM.wood (https://www.holz.tum.de/home/), through which you will gain insight into the many different ways wood can be used, also play an important role in your training.

In order to gain an initial insight into the professional world, the studies are rounded off by an eight-week internship in companies or organizations from the forestry and timber industry.

After you successfully complete your Master's thesis in the fourth semester, you’ll have your Master's degree in the bag.

Interest aroused? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

By the end of your studies you will be able to understand complex ecological issues and identify interdependencies. You will be able to estimate the dynamic reactions of ecosystems to various environmental and disturbance factors and derive consequences for their protection and forest management.

The evaluation of land use forms, including their derived commodities, will also form part of your repertoire. You will be able to independently plan, execute and evaluate complex projects. A scientific approach will be a given for you. The practice-oriented training also enables you to analyze and evaluate operational and organizational structures and to develop planning proposals that take economic, social and ecological factors into account.

In addition to a sound knowledge of the forest ecosystem, you will have developed a comprehensive understanding of systems and methods by the end of your studies. You will be able to identify and analyze diverse interests in the use of forest resources and the associated ecosystem services. For the conflict situations that often arise, you will be able to create solution-focused courses of action, taking into account legal and political conditions. You will involve the relevant interest groups accordingly and communicate the results in an appropriate manner.

You will also learn to evaluate natural, technical and operational production conditions and to develop concepts for the production and sustainable use of forest resources. On top of this, you will gain individual in-depth knowledge from your chosen specializations.

• Degree program documentation
• Module catalog
  
  • Module catalog 20191
  • Module catalog 20181

• Curriculum:
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).

• Timetable:
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

Important note for part-time studies:

For each semester you study part-time, an individual study and examination plan has to be worked out together with the student advisory service. This plan is a binding regulation between you and TUM and may only be changed after consultation.

Please arrange an obligatory counselling interview with your academic advisor about 2-4 weeks before the start of the lecture.

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
  
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations December 2020
  • Academic and Examination Regulations July 2020
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 2017
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 2016
    

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  
  

In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

• Further examination matters
• Academic progress check
  
• Examinations / acknowledgement
• Theses