Bachelor Technologie Biogener Rohstoffe
Master Technology of Biogenic Resources
Chemical-material utilization | Energetic utilization
A burner, which is operated with energy from biogenic raw materials.. (Foto: Gaderer/Kunde)
Biogenic resources include, on the one hand, renewable resources of plant origin (i.e. agricultural and forestry raw materials) and, on the other hand, raw materials of animal origin that can be used for material or energy purposes outside the food and feed sector. In the context of the program, the term covers both purposefully cultivated raw materials and biogenic waste materials, in particular by‐products of agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry and agro‐industrial production. Biogenic resources contribute in many ways to a sustainable supply of energy and raw materials. Environmental problems such as increasing amounts of waste and the overuse of fossil resources, which ultimately leads to climate change, are strong arguments for the increased use of biogenic resources.
Biogenic resources play a key role not only in energy supply, but also in the supply of materials for construction and manufacturing industries. The ideal of the bioeconomy implies a circular economy, which is based on biogenic resources without alternative in many sectors (chemical industry, paper, wood and other building materials, textiles, raw materials for manufacturing…).
Students on an internship. (Foto: Schillinger)
The importance of biogenic resources in the fields of energetic and material utilization is therefore already undeniable and will increase even further as society takes greater account of sustainability and climate protection. In order to implement the structural change towards a sustainable economy, which is being framed by politics and bioeconomists, engineers and scientists are needed who are familiar with the complex structure of biogenic resources as well as the fundamentals of energy and process engineering. Only in this way, the large potential of biogenic resources can be used to the greatest possible extent.
The program Technology of Biogenic Resources aims at training these engineers and scientists. Through a combination of interdisciplinary skills and specialist knowledge in the fields of agricultural engineering, plant biology, chemistry, energy and process engineering, you will be well prepared to transform our current technological value chains to be more sustainable.
Bachelor Technology of Biogenic Resources
Key Data
Standard Duration of Studies
(Number of Semesters) / Credits
- 6 semesters / 180 credits, full-time studies
Graduation
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Start of Degree Program
- Winter Semester
Application period
- 15 May to 15 July
Required Language Proficiency
Language of instruction
- German/English
Admission requirements
In addition to general or subject-specific university entrance qualifications, a good knowledge of German is a prerequisite for the Bachelor’s programme in Bioeconomics, as some modules are taught in German.
Admission Category
Costs per semester/financing
Study structure
In the first two semesters, basics in mathematics, natural science as well as engineering are taught. From the third semester onwards, further engineering modules provide the basis for the later specialization in process and energy engineering. From the fifth semester onwards, and individual focus is possible through elective modules. Interdisciplinary elective modules link departments and study programs to solve problems in a wider context. The program ends with a Bachelor’s thesis.
Documents for students who started before winter semester 2021/22 (Vers. 20201)
- Subject Examination and Study Regulations (German language)
- Study Documentation (German language)
- Module Plan (German language)
- Module Catalog (German language)
Documents for students who started winter semester 2021/22 or later (Vers. 20211)
- Subject Examination and Study Regulations (German language)
- Study Documentation (German language)
- Module Plan (German language)
- Module Manual (German language)
Compulsory modules
1st semester
Higher mathematics 1 | Foundations of Programming | Technical Mechanics | General Chemistry | Production of Biogenic Resources | Basics of Biology
2nd semester
Fundamentals of Thermodynamics | Electrical Engineering | Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | Higher Mathematics 2 | Materials Science | Basics in Silviculture
3rd semester
Mechanical Process Engineering | Thermodynamics of Mixtures and Mass Transport | Measurement and Control Technology | Biochemical Engineering | Fluid Mechanics | Biopolymers
4th semester
Power Engineering | Heat transfer | Chemical Reaction Engineering | Thermal Process Engineering | Basics of the Material use of Biomass
5th semester
Scientific Methods | Energy and process engineering lab | Electives
6th semester
Bachelor’s Thesis | Cooperative Design Project | Electives
Electives (not complete)
Wood as a raw material | Microeconomics | Internship Renewable Resources | Circular Economy | | Bioinformatics | Statistics | Technical Mechanics Elastostatics | Physics | Forest Management and Forest Inventory | Practical methods in Chemistry | Introduction to Graphs and Networks | Sustainable Operations | Project Management etc.
Competences and skills
Specifically, graduates of the bachelor’s program Technology of Biogenic Resources acquire the following skills:
- They are proficient in mathematical and scientific methods to abstract and analyze problems in their basic structure.
- They have basic knowledge of engineering and are able to apply this knowledge to concrete technical issues.
- They have in‐depth basic knowledge in the fields of energy technology and process engineering and are able to apply this knowledge to concrete questions in the field of the use of biogenic raw materials.
- They have a comprehensive overview of the complex structure of the biogenic raw resources as well as their preparation and further processing steps.
- They have become acquainted with various fields of technology in the field of energetic and material use of biogenic resources and have built a bridge between engineering science basics and professional application.
- They understand the relationships between the cultivation of plants, the structure of biogenic resources and their processing.
- They are able to understand processes and products as part of value chains.
- They are able to carry out given experiments and interpret the results.
- They can work successfully in a team and communicate their results.
- They are prepared for the absolutely necessary ability to socialize in the company environment.
- They are very well prepared for lifelong learning and for employment in various professional fields.
Job description
With its interdisciplinary and technically oriented education, the bachelor’s program Technologie Biogener Rohstoffe offers an ideal answer to the growing demand for engineers and scientists needed in the energy and materials industry in order to create sustainable value chains that are fit for the future. In addition, after successful completion of the program, graduates can continue on to a master’s program with a more advanced profile, e.g. the master’s program Technology of Biogenic Resources, in order to achieve the necessary further qualification for a career at a high scientific level.
Master Technology of Biogenic Resources
Key Data
Standard Duration of Studies
(Number of Semesters) / Credits
- 4 semesters / 120 credits, full-time studies
Graduation
- Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Start of Degree Program
- Winter semester
- Summer semester
Application period
- Winter semester 2020/21: 01.01. – 31.05.
- Summer semester 2021: 01.10. – 15.01.
Required Language Proficiency
Language of instruction
- English
Admission requirements
The master’s program “Technology of Biogenic Resources” is aimed at qualified students with a university degree in the fields of technology of biogenic resources, energy engineering, bio or chemical process engineering, environmental engineering or comparable programs. Since the program is also aimed at international students and therefore all compulsory modules as well as most of the electives are only offered in English, good command of the English language is required.
Admission Category
Costs per semester/financing
Study structure
The program is characterized by a high proportion of di-verse electives, both in practice and in theory, thus enabling students to build a strong profile according to their personal interests. Independent scientific work is acquired in interdisciplinary group project and during the master’s thesis. The direct connection to internationally active research groups at the Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability completes the profile of the program.
- Subject Examination and Study Regulations
- Subject Examination and Study Regulations (German language; this is the official, binding publication)
- Module plan
- Module Catalog
Compulsory Modules (29 CP)
Conceptual Process Design | Mechanical Process Engineering | Energy Process Engineering | Renewables Utilization | Energetic use of biomass and residuals
Technical Electives (50 CP)
Among others: CO2 capture, storage, and utilization | Biogenic polymers | Biorefinery | Research lab energy and process engineering | Energy storage | Modelling and optimization of Energy Systems | Flowsheet balancing and simulation | Production of alternative fuels | Polymers processing | Energy and Economics | Microbial and plant biotechnology | Geothermal Energy Systems | Bioinspired Materials and Processes | Hydropower | Wind Power | Sustainable chemistry | Detail process engineering | Medicinal and spice plants | Phytopharmaceuticals and natural products | Biogas technology | Machine learning
Free Electives (6 CP)
Free to choose from all modules at TUM
Project and Thesis (35 CP)
Cooperative design project | Master’s Thesis
Competences and skills
Specifically, graduates of the Master’s program Technology of Biogenic Resources acquire the following skills:
- They have comprehensive engineering knowledge and are able to apply it to general and new technical issues.
- They have comprehensive knowledge in the fields of energy technology and process engineering and are able to independently solve new problems in the use of biogenic resources in these areas.
- They understand the complex structure of biogenic resources and can develop novel processing steps for biogenic resourves.
- They have gained detailed knowledge of various fields of technology in the field of energetic and material use of biogenic resources and are able to link these to engineering principles.
- They understand processes and products as part of value chains and are able to develop new value chains.
- They are able to identify research questions, plan, conduct, and evaluate studies/experiments and communicate the results.
- They can present research results scientifically.
- You are able to work in teams with a heterogeneous structure in terms of expertise and experience.
- You can lead a team and communicate its results.
- They are very well prepared for lifelong learning and for employment in various professional fields.
- They have acquired an interdisciplinary qualification and are thus sensitized to the non-technical requirements of a professional activity.
A degree from the Master’s program Technology of Biogenic Resources enables graduates to work as research or development engineers in industry. At the same time, it ensures that graduates can also start a career in science.
Job description
Graduates have a comprehensive technical and methodological knowledge and understanding of the field of biogenic resources. They can conduct scientific research into new methods and processes that introduce biogenic resources into the energy and material value chains. If you decide to work in industry, you will develop new processes and products that are based on biogenic resources. The future development of society and economy in times of the climate crisis offers numerous challenges in this area. Examples are bioenergy power plants that reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere or the production of biofuels using renewable energies. In the material field, it is necessary to gradually replace the fossil value-added chain for plastics and, in doing so, to convert both the material raw material supply and the energy supply of the plants to biogenic re-sources. The same applies to other products of the chemical industries.
Application Info
More Info
Further information on application and admission as well as binding regulations on the course of studies and examinations can be found in the study database of the TUM:
Contact Person
Andrea Dietl, M.Sc.
Program Manager Technology of Biogenic Resources
Phone: +49 (0) 9421 187-166
Mail: tbr@cs.tum.de
TUM Campus Straubing
Petersgasse 5
94315 Straubing
PG5, Room: 00.3503.007