Bioeconomics

The bachelor’s degree program in Bioeconomy at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability incorporates various scientific disciplines in which the natural sciences work closely together with the economic sciences across disciplinary boundaries. Students gain an understanding of economics in general and environmental economics. This enables them to work with biological, chemical and technical principles and methods, as well as to think in and develop local and global cyclic processes. By combining chemistry, engineering and the life sciences with micro- and macroeconomics, students gain comprehensive knowledge in the field of efficient and sustainable use of biogenic resources.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the bachelor's program in Bioeconomics (PDF, German)

Specifically, graduates of the bachelor's degree program in bioeconomics acquire the following knowledge, skills and competencies:

• they understand economic processes and know models and methods to evaluate the effects of bio-based innovations on companies, the national economy and society; 
• they understand environmental and resource economic issues and know methods and approaches to evaluate them in companies, national economy and society and to integrate them in decision making;
• they master mathematical and scientific methods to abstract and analyze problems in their basic structure;
• they have basic knowledge of natural sciences and engineering and know methods for analysis, modeling, simulation as well as design and are able to apply them to concrete problems;
• they have insight into business processes and are able to evaluate the impact of economic policy decisions on business processes;
• they are able to work successfully in a group, to work on problems together and to communicate their results and solution approaches successfully (also in front of an international audience); 
• they are able to recognize inter- and transdisciplinary problems and to structure them taking into account the operational, economic as well as scientific framework conditions;
• they are able to independently acquire new knowledge from the relevant subject areas;
• hey have become acquainted with selected fields of technology and are thus able to bridge the gap between scientific and engineering fundamentals and economic policy recommendations;
• they have acquired exemplary extracurricular qualifications and are thus sensitized to the non-technical requirements of a professional activity, especially in the area of political processes;
• they are able to plan projects independently due to their interdisciplinary knowledge in the field of bioeconomy and are able to take up a correspondingly oriented professional activity in public administration, research, industry and consulting.

Highly qualified graduates with inter- and transdisciplinary understanding are in demand for the rapidly growing areas of activity in Bioeconomics. Graduates of the bachelor’s program in Bioeconomics can support and shape a sustainable bio-based economy. This applies in particular to the complex conversion of the raw material base from fossil resources to the renewable resources of the energy and chemical industries, which deal with the production, use and economy of biogenic resources.

In the first two semesters, important mathematical, scientific as well as environmental and economic basics are taught. From the third semester on, knowledge from the main areas of chemistry, physics, biology and business administration / economics is intensified. In the fifth semester, a focus is set by means of elective modules. The tandem module combines two disciplines so that a solution to a concrete problem can be developed in a structured and interdisciplinary manner. The program concludes with a Bachelor's thesis.

1st semester: Mathematics, Statistics, Microeconomics, General Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Management

2nd semester: Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, Green Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Supply Chain, Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment

3rd semester: Cell and Microbiology, Wood based Resources, Production of Biogenic Resources, Foundation of Programming, Intermediate Microeconomics, Entrepreneurship

4th semester: Introduction to Process Engineering, Empirical Research Methods, Policy and Innovation, Circular Economy, Introduction to Environmental and Resource Economics

5th semester: Bioprocess Engineering, Management Science, Electives (total 22 ECTS)

6th semester: Evidence Based Management and Policy, Governance of the Bioeconomy, General Elective (total 5 ECTS), Bachelor's Thesis

Elective modules: 22 credits are required from the following list:
Seminar in Behavioral Economics, Biochemistry, Fundamentals of Material Biomass Utilization, Biopolymers, Introduction to Development Economics, Energy and Economics, Seminar in Innovation and Technology Management, Concepts of Physics and Chemistry in Nature, Environmental Resources in a Changing World, Corporate Strategy, Supply Chain, Project Studies.

General education electives: 5 credits are required from the following list
Design of Renewable Resources, Communication and Presentation, Project Management

In Detail:

• Module Plan (PDF, German)
• Module Catalog (PDF, German)

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is usually German. This means that most of the modules are offered in German. Some courses may, however, be taught in English. The language of instruction for each module is detailed in the module overview. To learn more about the language of instruction for each module, contact the departmental student academic advisor of this program. 

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad

The tuition fees for international students from third countries for this degree program are 2,000 euros per semester.

Many international students can have their fees waived or receive scholarships to finance them. You can find all information on waivers and scholarships here.

Please note: The semester fee as a contribution to the student union must be paid additionally. It varies depending on where you are studying. You can find all information on the semester fee here.

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

Here you will find detailed information on the requirements for the documents you need to upload for application and admission to TUM.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill?

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (authentic document)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin.

Application period for the winter semester: 15.05. – 15.07.

For information on applying for a higher semester, please contact the Departmental Student Advising.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

This is a program with unrestricted access.

There is no selection procedure. You will receive confirmation of your application 

• after submission of the online application and all documents in a formally correct manner by the deadline
• and after your documents have been reviewed. 

In detail:

• Unrestricted Admission