Sustainable Resource Management (Master of Science)
We only have one planet – endangered by climate change, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, and air pollution. Tackle the problems of the 21st century!
In the international Master's program Sustainable Resource Management, you can deal with the sustainable use of natural resources and learn to analyze and evaluate the effects of human activity. Take on the manifold challenges of sustainable management. Develop strategies for the responsible use of our vital resources. Learn how to take social and political aspects into account. We will help you to develop your soft skills and your own competence profile, and you can specialize in two disciplines.
Learn to understand the complex system of sustainability with all its economic, ecological and social dimensions and how to design it with interdisciplinary approaches – study Sustainable Resource Management at TUM!
Studying Sustainable Resource Management successfully: What can you expect?
Key data
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)
Why study this particular degree program?
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.
What are your career opportunities?
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.
What is this study program about?
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!
What competences and skills will you acquire?
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.
How do you apply for a place of study?
To apply, you need to have a qualified bachelor’s degree obtained after a program of at least six semesters from a German or foreign institution of higher education or at least an equivalent degree in engineering, science, economics, social sciences or comparable programs.
Application
During the application period you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester via the application portal TUMonline. Upload your documents for admission to the Sustainable Resource Management course of study directly on the portal.
For a successful application and admission, you need the following documents:
- Application for Admission (upload - signed)
- Degree Certificate, Diploma and Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
- Proof of English Language Proficiency:
On this web page you will find information about which language certificates are accepted at TUM. The following applies to the Sustainable Resource Management degree program: If, in the undergraduate program, 60 ECTS credits were obtained for examinations administered in English language examination modules, adequate proficiency in English is deemed proven. The language of instruction must be stated in your documents /certificates. - Personal statement/motivation letter in English (400 words)
- Complete and Current Résumé
- Scientific essay in English (800 words, references are not counted) with the following topic:
„What is scientific in Sustainability Science?”.
(Please note: A summary of your master's thesis will not be accepted as a scientific essay! Plagiarism will lead to failure!) - Passport
- Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA
More details on the online application process you will find here.
Aptitude assessment procedure
In a subsequent aptitude assessment procedure, we will check whether you have the necessary prerequisites and motivation for the course.
Your application will be assessed and evaluated by the Aptitude Assessment Commission according to the following categories (weighting in parentheses):
1. Final grade of degree (54%)
2. Motivation letter in English with 400 words (16%)
The motivation letter will be assessed using the following criteria: The applicant is able…
- to present the connection between personal interests and the program content in a well-structured way.
- to convincingly prove his or her special aptitude and motivation for the master's program by arguments and meaningful examples, e.g. vocational education relevant to the program, internships or stays abroad.
- to linguistically emphasize and objectively justify the most important aspects of the motivation letter.
3. Scientific essay in English with 800 words (30%)
The essay will be assessed using the following criteria:
- subject-specific content and scholarly structure (e.g. proper use of citations)
- consistent argumentation
- accuracy and language competency
Applicants who do not fulfil the requirements of the aptitude assessment (< 60% score) cannot be granted admission to the SRM program. Very good applicants (> 69% score) will be admitted directly. Applicants with a score of 60 – 69% will be invited to an interview (in person or by video call, 20 to 30 minutes). Depending on the result of this interview, the applicant will be either admitted or rejected.
If you are subsequently admitted, you will have to submit a few certified paper copies for enrolment.
As soon as you have received admission and accepted your study place, the relevant information will appear in your TUMonline account.
Other degree programs that might also interest you:
Already in the middle of your master's degree in Sustainable Resource Management? Everything you need!
Module catalog
- Module catalog
Curriculum
- 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
Examination matters
- General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
- Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
- 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
- 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.
Internships & excursions
A pre-study internship is not required for admission to the course. However, in order to successfully complete your studies, you must complete and provide evidence of a 8-week subject-related internship (12 ECTS). The internship delivers insights into various fields of business activities concerning sustainable resource management and into specific operation procedures of enterprises or organizations. It provides the possibility to explore your career options and to contact potential employers.
The internship can be divided into several sections. Please note, however, that an internship section shorter than 4 weeks cannot be credited. Students have to look themselves for an internship and to plan it without getting in conflict with the lecture time. The recommended period for the internship is the lecture-free time between the 2nd and 3rd semester (August – October). An internship report must also be prepared.
Further details can be found on the website of the “Praktikantenamt Weihenstephan”. Please contact the Praktikantenamt before you sign contracts and make sure that your internship can be accepted at TUM.
More information on practical experience during studies and excursions
Graduation
Detailed, degree program - specific information about graduation can be found in the
Wiki Life Sciences – Study and Teaching - Graduation (TUM ID required for login)