What you can expect in the Biobased Products and Bioenergy program

In the field of biobased products and bioenergy, the aim is to implement the change from using fossil to biogenic resources as raw materials. Biogenic resources are environmentally friendly, renewable raw materials as an alternative to fossil materials. This includes the agricultural production of renewable raw materials as well as the use of biogenic waste materials from agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry. On the other hand, the processes of material and energetic utilization for the production of electricity, heat, and basic materials are considered.

Using and processing biogenic resources are a central component of a viable, sustainable economy - what is referred to as the bioeconomy. Therefore, the entire value chain is considered, from production and processing to the purchase of the biogenic end product - always taking into account technical, ecological, economic, and social perspectives. This makes the program highly interdisciplinary, combining the fields of natural sciences, agriculture, engineering, and economics.

You deal with the following questions, among others: How do you turn straw or vegetable waste into a sandwich box? How can soy or palm oil be replaced without harming the environment? How does biowaste become an important part for a battery? How can we use plants without endangering biodiversity?

Scientific methodological competence is an important component of the degree program so that students can scientifically analyze the process chain from the production of raw materials and energy crops to the product, as well as evaluate it according to the principles of economic efficiency and sustainability.

• In comparison: All degree programs of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences

In the 1st - 3rd semester you will learn basic knowledge in agricultural science, technology, and economics. Contents include the cultivation and the processing of plants that can be used to produce raw materials and energy. The entire value chain is considered, from the production of plants to the finished product, such as biogenic plastics. You will also deepen your scientific knowledge in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. In some courses, we cooperate with the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology in Stuttgart (IGB).

Starting with the 4th semester, you can customize your studies and choose courses according to your interests. This allows you to create an individual profile. You even have the opportunity to participate in a research project. In order to specialize, you can deepen your knowledge in one of eight profiles. However, you do not have to decide on a profile, and can instead design your specializations individually.

You can choose from the following profiles:

• Agricultural Economics
• Agricultural Systems of the Tropics
• Soil / Plant Nutrition
• Communication and Advising
• Ecology of Agricultural Landscapes
• Plant Production Systems
• Technologies for the Use of Biomass as a Raw Material
• Weather and Climate

The compulsory internship integrated in the program gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have acquired directly in practice. You are free to choose the time of the 4-week internship, but it must be completed during the lecture-free period and at a state-approved training company. Equivalent undergraduate experience or participation in the biorefinery pilot plant may be accepted for this purpose.

At the end of your studies, you will write your Bachelor’s thesis. In the thesis, you research a scientific topic more intensively and apply the skills you have acquired.

You want to know more?

Detailed information about the course and structure of the degree program can be downloaded here:

• Curriculum (PDF, 2,5 MB)

• Curriculum when starting in the summer semester (PDF, 459 kB)
• Flyer (PDF, 1,8 MB)
• Module descriptions
• Info about the internship
• Example tasks from the program

Are you wondering whether the Biobased Products and Bioenergy degree program is right for you? To apply, you must first meet formal criteria: (I) University entrance qualification, (II) Study orientation test

In addition, the degree program should fit your interests and personality. The best way to check whether this is the case is to look at the information above. For a better understanding of the degree program, our graphic shows you which school subjects are in this program. Have the study contents aroused your interest?

Here is another brief overview of the most important interests and skills you should bring with you:

• Wide-ranging fields of interest, willingness to learn, and curiosity about science and technology.

• The desire to make the world a little better and contribute to the solution of climate change, sustainable energy supply, and waste.

• Good natural science fundamentals: Don't worry. If your knowledge of math and chemistry are not the best, we offer numerous support options (e.g. math pre-course).

• With this degree program, you will be well prepared for the future. Sustainability and climate protection, as well as the associated structural change, are the central issues of the future for society and politics. You have good career opportunities and can provide more sustainability in various companies.

• You learn from leading experts in the bioeconomy and can participate in exciting research projects with direct relevance for the future. We are one of the leading universities in the field of bioeconomy in Europe and, with 700 hectares, have the largest experimental areas among Germany's universities.

• The combination of different disciplines makes this degree program diverse and gives you the freedom to specialize according to your interests, strengths, and future plans.

• You can organize your studies individually and flexibly. 40% of the study content can be freely chosen. You can follow through with your studies with an integrated internship and semester abroad, or you can take time off to gain more practical experience or to travel.

• We have an excellent network and maintain close contacts with the industrial sector, research institutions, and agricultural businesses. This offers numerous opportunities to gain practical experience, e.g. by working on research projects, practicing at experimental stations, or participating in field trips.