Our researchers develop strategies and innovative approaches for sustainable agricultural and food production. They create effective solutions to strengthen food security and address the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.
In the coming decades, our global society will face major challenges in the areas of agriculture and nutrition. Protecting resources and the climate is just as central as ensuring that the growing world population is supplied with nutritious, safe, and affordable food.
Our researchers investigate the complex principles and interactions of living systems, taking a comprehensive approach: from molecules and cellular systems to plants and animals, from soil to aquatic environments, from food technology to nutritional medicine, and from biogenic raw materials to biotechnology. They work across disciplines for a healthy and sustainable world.
Technical terms in agriculture and food science
TUM science glossary
Vertical farming
Plants are grown in vertically stacked layers in halls or containers. They grow in a space- and water-saving manner, independent of climate, without pesticides, and close to the consumer. Nutrient solutions and LED light replace soil and sun.
Agroforestry
A land-use system that combines trees or shrubs with crop or grassland. It merges forestry and agricultural production systems and enhances biodiversity, soil quality and yield.
Soil health
The condition of functional soil that absorbs and supplies nutrients, stores and purifies water, and provides a habitat for plants and animals. Maintaining healthy soil or restoring it through targeted measures supports plant growth and biodiversity.
Food security
Food security is a human right. It refers to a state in which every person has access to sufficient, nutritious, affordable, and safe food. Climate change, wars, and poverty make it difficult to achieve this on a global scale.
Precision farming
A wide range of data on soil, weather, and plants is generated and analyzed using precise sensors and remote measuring systems with the aim of a time and space specific optimization of yield and reduced resource use and a minimal negative impact on the environment of farming.
Source: TUM Corporate Communications Center / Prof. Ute Weisz and Prof. Senthold Asseng, TUM School of Life Sciences, 2026
Research and innovation
How can we produce food in a sustainable, efficient, and resource-efficient way? This is the focus of our scientists’ research. They develop new raw materials and identify ways to make better and more responsible use of existing resources. In addition, they investigate health-related processes in the human body, such as how proteins, cells, and genes interact, the functioning of the immune system, and the development of diseases.
TUM School of Life Sciences
From molecules to global food supplies, our research, teaching and innovation follows a holistic approach in examining the ecosystem of humans, animals, nature and the climate.
Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability
Sustainability as a cross-disciplinary assignment: from natural sciences and engineering disciplines through to bio-economics and economic sciences – at Germany’s unique TUM Campus Straubing.
Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Nutritional Medicine (EKFZ)
Researchers investigate the connection between nutrition and disease and develop preventive approaches together with doctors, nutritionists, students and consumers.
Researchers at the Corporate Research Center work on interdisciplinary projects at the interface between food science, nutrition research and medicine.
The Corporate Research Center connects the chairs and institutions of agricultural science within TUM and with external partners and supports the transfer of knowledge in this field.
As a TUM TechCore Facility, the PTC offers a modern infrastructure as well as technical and professional expertise for plant science experiments in the field and under controlled conditions.
Researchers from TUMCREATE and Nanyang Technological University and other partners are working on protein-rich foods that can be used as alternatives to meat or tofu.
As a central location of the TUM, the station bundles the infrastructure for marine field research, limnology and water research and combines scientific work with teaching and discourse.
The university is part of the research station at this facility on the Zugspitze. Among other things, the development of the permafrost soil is being investigated there.
Water is essential to life – whether for supplying people with drinking water or for use in food production. Scientists at TUM conduct research to develop solutions for "resilient water systems", particularly in the context of climate change. They also work in a wide range of experimental stations, field research sites, and specialized facilities that enable research under real-world conditions.
TUM offers prospective students, students, and doctoral candidates a broad and interdisciplinary portfolio of degree programs in agriculture, food, and nutrition. In addition, it provides specialized continuing education opportunities for professionals and executives.
fauxels / Pexels
TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning
In-service training
TUM offers, among other programs, a course on smart farming and IoT applications in agriculture. The certificate programs of the TUM Institute for LifeLong Learning integrate cutting-edge research with practical expertise.
Study programs in the field of agriculture, food and nutrition
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Agricultural Biosciences
This international program Agricultural Biosciences focuses on basic biological research for an efficient and sustainable agricultural production of crop and livestock species. It...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Agricultural Sciences and Horticultural Sciences
The bachelor's program in Agricultural Sciences and Horticultural Sciences deals with processes of plant and animal production, and associated fundamentals relating to the natural...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
AgriFood Economics, Policy and Regulation
Would you like to contribute to solving the key challenges in the agri-food sector? Combining agricultural knowledge in technology and ecology with skills in economics and...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Agrosystem Sciences
The master’s program Agrosystem Sciences deals with systems of agricultural production, their biological, technical, and economic drivers and their integration within...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Bioeconomy
In view of the climate crisis, scarcity of raw materials, and changing consumer behavior, the transition to sustainable resource and technology management is unavoidable. Students...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Bioeconomy
In light of the climate crisis, scarcity of raw materials, and changing consumer behavior, the shift towards a sustainable resource and technology management is imperative....
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Biology
Specialization in at least three of seven possible focus areas (biochemistry/cell biology, genetics/biostatistics, medical biology, microbiology, ecology/environmental management,...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Biomass Technology
Overuse of resources, climate crisis, marine littering – biomass technologies are indispensable for solving ecological problems, for example with regard to renewable energies or...
Master brewer
Brewing ("Diplombraumeister" degree)
This study course is offered in German only. For a detailed description see the German database entry.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Brewing and Beverage Technology
The Master's program Brewing and Beverage Technology provides sound knowledge for engineers in industrial beer and beverage production, development and research.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Brewing and Beverage Technology
The Bachelor’s program Brewing and Beverage Technology deals with the engineering, biological, technological and biochemical processes of beverage production and brewing.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Conservation and Landscape Planning
The master’s program Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning is focussed on the development and implementation of conservation instruments as well as its visualisation in...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Ecological Engineering
Conflicting objectives and competition in the use of land and resources are increasing, e.g., with regard to agriculture and nature conservation. Ecological engineering students...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Environmental Engineering
The bachelor's degree program in Environmental Engineering combines a profound education in the engineering and natural sciences with interdisciplinary skills focused on the...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Food Chemistry
The interdisciplinary Master’s program in Food Chemistry deepens and broadens the competencies and skills that students will have acquired during the bachelor's program in Food...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Food Technology
The Master's program Food Technology and Biotechnology trains engineers for industrial food production who have sound knowledge of the natural, economic and engineering sciences as...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Food Technology
The Bachelor's program Food Technology deals with the engineering, biological, technological and biochemical processes of the entire value chain in food production. In addition,...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Forest and Wood Science
The Master’s degree program in Forest and Wood Science focuses on the sustainable management of forest resources.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Forest Science and Resource Management
The program aims to teach students how to make sustainable use of resources, with reference to the example of the forest and wood as a renewable resource. In addition to...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning
The interdisciplinary Bachelor’s program in Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning is devoted to the interpretation, development and design of landscapes.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Life Sciences Biology
The aim of the degree program is a comprehensive understanding of systems – from the biomolecule to the ecosystem – and extensive methodological expertise.
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Life Sciences Nutrition
Organic, vegan or personalized nutrition? How can nutrition promote health and prevent diseases such as obesity, diabetes, or cancer? In the Life Sciences Nutrition Bachelor’s...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Molecular Biotechnology
The master’s degree program in Molecular Biotechnology is devoted to the production and design of natural and artificial biomolecules, the central focus of “molecular”...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Molecular Biotechnology
The bachelor's program in Molecular Biotechnology is devoted to the production and construction of natural as well as artificial biomolecules. In addition, it combines the basics...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Nutrition and Biomedicine
Healthy, safe, and varied foods are as vital to individual and public health as they are to the food industry. Students of Master’s program Nutrition and Biomedicine learn to...
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Sport Science
The interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree program in Sport Science is dedicated to the holistic understanding of the human body in the context of physical activity and sport.
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Sustainable Food
The MSc in Sustainable Food in Singapore is designed with a holistic approach to equip individuals with specialised scientific knowledge and skill sets in food science and food...
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Sustainable Resource Management
Soil, water, air, and biodiversity are the basis for security and prosperity; unsustainable use of them poses existential dangers. Students of Sustainable Resource Management learn...
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
Vocational Education Agriculture (Teaching at Vocational Schools)
This bachelor’s degree course is specifically designed for students aiming to become teachers at German vocational schools.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Vocational Education Agriculture (Teaching at Vocational Schools)
This degree program is offered in German only. For a detailed description see the German database entry.
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.)
Vocational Education Nutrition and Home Economics (Teaching at Vocational Schools)
This degree program is specifically designed for students aiming to become teachers at German vocational schools.
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Vocational Education Nutrition and Home Economics (Teaching at Vocational Schools)
This degree program is offered in German only. For a detailed description see the German database entry.
Entrepreneurship and impact on society
To put new ideas and research approaches in the agricultural and food sector into practice, the university supports founders and start-ups. The entrepreneurial spirit of students and researchers is encouraged through networks, incubators, suitable infrastructure and workshops. This has already resulted in numerous spin-offs.
TUM Venture Labs
The entrepreneurial innovation centers provide targeted support for founders from various deep-tech sectors and the life sciences, including advisory services, infrastructure, and connections to industry partners and other entrepreneurs.
Fabian Vogl / TUM
TUM Venture Lab Food/Agro/Biotech
The lab focuses on start-ups specializing in nutrition, agriculture, and biotechnology.
The AgriFood Hub operated by UnternehmerTUM is a platform dedicated to fostering innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in the agriculture and food sector. By connecting start-ups, companies, and research institutions, it aims to build a resilient and future-oriented food system.
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published on 09/09/2025
Episode 28: A visit to Campus Straubing
Since 2017, Campus Straubing has brought together interdisciplinary expertise in engineering, chemistry, biotechnology, economics and materials science. We talk to Prof. Volker Sieber, the campus rector, Claudia Doblinger, Professor of Innovation and Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Officer, Sebastian J. Goerg, Professor of Economics, and Maria Schießl, an alumna of the campus and the district’s climate protection manager.
Display external content
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You can find more information and the possibility to revoke your consent at
www.tum.de/datenschutz.
published on 6/6/2024
Episode 22: How we become more sustainable
The second TUM Sustainability Day took place in June 2024. Our guests are also committed to a more sustainable university in research, teaching, campus management and construction: Among them are Vice President for Sustainable Transformation Prof. Werner Lang, Professor for Urban Productive Ecosystems Monika Egerer as well as Climate action manager Jonathan Bauer and sustainability Manager Veronica Becker from the TUM Sustainability Office.
NewIn video format: Professors in agriculture and nutrition
Researchers at the TUM School of Life Sciences regularly present their work at the Lindenkeller in Freising in lectures designed for a general audience. Afterwards, all visitors are invited to join in the discussion and ask questions.
Ronald Zöllner / ediundsepp Gestaltungsgesellschaft mbH / TUM
Lecture series at the Furtnerbräu Freising
AgScience on tap
At “AgScience on tap,” researchers from the agricultural, food, and environmental sciences share their research in an accessible and engaging format. The interdisciplinary organizing team from TUM, Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT), and the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL) encourages discussion, exchange, and networking.
