Biogenic Materials

In the light of the dramatic environmental and climate changes in recent years and the finiteness of fossil raw materials like petroleum, material sciences specializing in biogenic materials is seen as a progressive and visionary discipline. The course “Biogenic Materials” provides specific knowledge about biodegradable, eco-friendly, or environmental damage-reducing materials obtained from renewable resources. The course also creates awareness of sustainable use of resources among the future experts in material science. The technical details of extraction, transformation, shaping and processing, possible areas of application and disposal as well as particular structure-property interrelation of materials of all classes are further aspects that are covered in the course. Graduates of the course will possess the competences essential for developing innovative biogenic material systems for downstream users such as process engineers, civil engineers, and (business) economists. The prospective engineers not only acquire a deep understanding of the need to act sustainably, but also the necessary skills to do so.

Fields of training and research include the development of alternatives to petroleum-based plastics as well as the return to, the reassessment, and the further development of traditional methods of producing and processing materials. Furthermore, learning from nature, bioinspired material synthesis and structuring are also part of the course.

Deep insights into structure-property relationships and their application in technology, coupled with an awareness of the necessity for integrated, resource-conserving planning and acting from production to disposal are some of the key abilities of the graduates of this course; which make them the urgently needed experts in research, business management, politics, and teaching in a bio-economy defined future.

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

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

In order to fulfil their intended role as academically trained materials developer and materials tester, after completing the Bachelor's course “Biogenic Materials” the graduates will possess the following skills and competences:

• They have a comprehensive overview of composition- and structure-based material types and their typical properties, which serves as basis for comparative evaluations of existing materials.
• They are able to apply various techniques for structure determination, especially of hierarchically structured natural substances, and are able to establish structure/property interrelations.
• The graduates can accurately determine characteristic properties of materials. This provides the complement to clarified structures. Appropriate and accurate in this context refers to the usage in science and application as well as to existing testing standards to ensure the comparability and reproducibility of results.
• They understand the structure-property relationships of materials, which allows the development of new and evaluation of existing materials through the application of general principles.
• They are able to apply mathematical methods to formulate structures, properties, and their correlations.
• They are able to utilize the tools provided by computer science to carry out complex observations.
• They are familiar with the techniques of construction and design theory and mechanical engineering and therefore understand the requirements arising from the fields of application of the respective materials and can thus develop application-related material profiles.

With these qualifications, graduates have the abilities to evaluate and improve existing as well as develop new materials. The program’s curriculum and the study environment and broader research context at the TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability furthermore result in a special focus on materials that are sustainable in production and life cycle. In particular, they are qualified to take a more comprehensive view of current developments and research in materials science and place them into the context of a global bioeconomy, especially encouraging the development of independent, critical thinking as well as interdisciplinary approaches and problem solving.

The Bachelor’s degree “Biogenic Materials” opens up different career opportunities. In addition to a scientific career/doctorate in (biogenic) material sciences and related branches of science at universities in Germany and abroad (e.g. via the master’s program Materials Science and Engineering at the MSE/TUM or Biogenic Materials at the TUM Campus Straubing) as well as in research institutes, graduates have ideal prerequisites for a career in the field of technological utilization of biomass. Experts for innovative biogenic material systems are particularly sought after in the fields of biotechnology and plastics processing as well as in the processing industry and plant and mechanical engineering. In addition, they also work for large industrial companies in research and development, in material testing institutes, in sales, in production or in technical procurement with career prospects right up to management positions; in medium-sized companies and in self-employment; in patent systems in Germany and globally.

In the first two semesters the course focuses on building a solid mathematical, scientific, and technical basis for further studies. Starting from the second semester, advanced physical modules lay the foundation for the special requirements of materials science. From the fourth semester onwards, students choose from a list of elective modules, which lets them set an individual focus in the broad field of material science. Interdisciplinary elective modules combine various scientific disciplines in order to find a solution to a specific problem, using a structured and interdisciplinary approach. Students are able to apply the skills and knowledge acquired during the course of studies in a research project with one of the research groups at TUM Campus Straubing. The course concludes with the Bachelor‘s Thesis.

Course details:

1. Semester:
Mathematics; Technical Mechanics 1 - Statics; Physics; General Chemistry; Practical Course General Chemistry; Elective Module
2. Semester:
Solid-state Physics; Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry; Practical Course Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry; Advanced Mathematics - Analysis and Linear Algebra; Fundamentals of Computer Science; Technical Mechanics 2 - Elastostatics
3. Semester:
Physical Chemistry; Fundamentals of Materials Science; Instrumental Analysis and Spectroscopy; Biopolymers; Modeling and Simulation
4. Semester:
Statistics; Microscopy and Diffractometry; Materials Science; Materials Testing; Project Work; Elective Module
5. Semester:
Scientific Research and Writing; Research Project; Elective Modules
6. Semester:
Elective Modules; Bachelor‘s Thesis

Language certificate required for application:

When applying at TUM, you must provide proof that you have sufficient knowledge of German. The proof of proficiency must be received by the end of the application deadline. An overview of all language certificates accepted by TUM can be found here.

The certificate is proof of you fulfilling the minimum requirements for admission. For a successful degree, however, it may be necessary to further develop and deepen your language skills. Our Language Centre provides assistance and specific language classes for non-native speakers of German.

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction in this program is generally German, meaning that most modules are instructed in German. Individual modules can also be taught in English. The languages in which a module is instructed can be found in the module catalog.

• 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.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

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

• 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 (certified copy)
• 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. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

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

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. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

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