Sustainable Resource Management (Master of Science)

Type of study: full time

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

Start of degree program: winter semester

Admission category: Aptitude assessment for Master’s

Language of instruction: English

Main location: Freising-Weihenstephan (Greater Munich area)

Tuition fees: none (information about the semester fee)

The pressure on natural resources, which are the basis of our lives, is continuously increasing due to human activity. Soil, water, air and biological diversity are the source of food, raw materials and energy. They are living and recreational space and serve as sinks for harmful emissions. Suboptimal use creates social and economic problems: The global climate is changing dramatically. Environmental problems, soil degradation and species loss are increasing. Biodiversity suffers. Competition for use and conflicts of interest arise.

The aim of the Master's program in Sustainable Resource Management is to provide you with the necessary knowledge for sustainable resource management. You will improve your conflict management skills and develop your soft skills and rhetorical skills. Explore concepts for sustainable management, consider social and political aspects, apply appropriate management methods and discuss possible solutions with your fellow students from all over the world.

This international Master’s opens up new horizons for you! Each year, about 100 students from more than 30 different countries worldwide start their studies here. The proportion of international students is around 75% – intercultural exchange is very important to us.

Global environmental and climate changes require widespread adjustments and reorientation of current forms of economy and life. Sectors geared to sustainable development are gaining in importance and show increasing employment figures worldwide.

With your Master's degree in Sustainable Resource Management, you have the opportunity to take on management tasks in large companies, take on positions in national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or to work in environmental consulting.

Your profound knowledge of foreign languages and the social and intercultural skills that you have acquired during your international studies will be helpful. You can advise companies and organizations in the fields of sustainable development, resource use and management based on your scientific knowledge. In addition, the fields of science, education, ecosystem protection and management are open to you.

The four-semester Master’s program consists of compulsory modules, elective modules, a general education subject and a professional internship.

The first semester consists of six compulsory basic modules to bring all students to the same well-founded level of knowledge, to impart basic skills and to facilitate the entry into the study program for international students.

Building on this, from the second semester onwards you will choose six elective modules out of eight science topics. In each science topic we have four elective modules (5 credits each) and you have to earn 30 credits in total. You can choose from the following science topics:

• Management and Protection of Forest Ecosystems
• Wildlife and Protected Area Management
• Landscape Management
• Renewable Resources
• Climate, Air and Water
• Material and Waste Management
• Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains
• Soils and Soil Management

By choosing either a few main areas of focus or by being rather broad in your education, you start to build your individual profile. In addition, in the second and third semesters you are obliged to take one general subject and three additional elective modules. You are free to choose these according to your own interests and inclinations from a broad range of subjects.

A further component of the program is an internship of at least eight weeks in the field of resource management. During the internship, you will gain valuable initial experience, gain insight into the diverse employment opportunities in your area of specialization and establish contacts with potential employers. You can of course complete the internship in Germany or abroad and even divide it into several sections (with a minimum length of four weeks per internship section). In order to receive your 12 credits, you will have to write a report on your internship.

In the fourth semester, you will complete your studies by writing a Master's thesis on a topic of your choice.

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

After successfully completing your studies, you will be an expert in the field of sustainable resource management. You will understand the ecological, economic and socio-political significance of natural resources and the conflicts that can arise from improper use. Sustainable management and action is just as much a focus for you as the sustainable management of natural resources and the associated social aspects.

You will have learned to analyze and evaluate production chains, material flow systems, technical processes and human activities with regard to sustainability. You are well versed in the use of suitable analysis tools. Building on this, you can derive solutions, develop concepts for implementation, and identify and involve key stakeholders. If necessary, you can apply suitable project management methods. You will also take into account the socio-political and economic developments associated with this.

In addition to fundamental knowledge in the field of sustainable resources and their management, you will have honed your own interests and developed an individual profile depending on your fields of specialization.

During your studies, you learn to work in a scientifically and professionally sound manner and to communicate the results of your work in a suitable way. Due to the international nature of the program, you will have developed a high level of social and intercultural competence in addition to excellent foreign language skills, which will be helpful working in an international environment.

• Degree Program Documentation
• Module catalog
  • Modul Catalog 20201
  • Modul Catalog 20151

• 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 (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester!
  
  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

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20201 (from start of degree program WS 20/21)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20151 (until start of degree program WS 19/20)
    

• 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
• Recognitions
• Theses

• Board of Examination

The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Apl. Prof. Dr. rer. silv. Gabriele Weber-Blaschke. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to recognition.wzw[at]tum.de.

 

Detailed, degree program - specific information about graduation can be found in the
Wiki Life Sciences – Study and Teaching - Graduation (TUM ID required for login)