Biobased Products and Bioenergy

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. This makes you very much in demand on the job market.

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. 

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. However, you do not have to decide on a profile, and can instead design your specializations individually. You have the opportunity to participate in a research project or do project work in the industrial sector. 

You can choose from the following profiles:

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

The compulsory four-week internship integrated in the program gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have acquired directly in practice. For example, experience the future bioeconomy at the  Biorefinery Technical Center.

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.

In addition, the degree program should fit your interests and personality. For a better understanding of the degree program, our graphic shows you which school subjects are in this degree program. Have the study contents aroused your interest?

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

• Willingness to learn and curiosity in the fields of science, engineering, and technology.  
• The desire to make the world a little better: to make a contribution to greater sustainability, reducing climate change, a clean energy supply, and less 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).

Practical experience – hands-on studies! 

Knowledge isn’t everything! You must also be able to apply what you have learned in practice. Although the focus of a university program is on imparting theoretical knowledge and the latest research results, especially in this hands-on degree program you will get enough insights into practice.

Gaining practical experience

Internships and project work offer insights into companies and professional fields and give you orientation and work experience for your later career start. A mandatory internship is integrated into this degree program. In addition, you can include a research stay at home or abroad or up to two internship semesters in your studies. The time investment in an internship is worthwhile and makes your career entry easier. Of course we will support you with the administrative aspects, internship search, and application process.

Acquiring new skills

To be successful in a profession, more is needed than just theoretical knowledge. You will benefit from the university-wide continuing education program to expand your personal, social, and methodological skills.

• Practical elements for students
• F.I.T. further education program

Learning from practice

We maintain close contacts with the industrial sector, small and large farm operations, and research institutes and regularly have lecturers and guest speakers at the university. Direct insights into practice are offered by excursions, e.g., to pilot plants for biomass conversion or to agricultural businesses.

Learning languages, understanding cultures

Explore the world and study or research abroad for a semester. This experience is not only guaranteed to be unique, but you will also broaden your horizons while learning more about yourself and the world. A semester abroad offers a good opportunity to consolidate language skills and intercultural competences. These are particularly welcome skills for international companies. We have over 80 partner universities in Europe and all over the world.

Stays abroad

Gaining experience with start-ups

In the "Innovation Greenhouse" everything revolves around sustainable business start-ups: From idea development and evaluation to start-up and subsequent growth of the company, here you will have the opportunity to either work on an exciting start-up, or receive support for your own ideas or start-up company.

Innovation Greenhouse

Researching during your studies

Research projects are a wonderful opportunity to apply learned methods and skills in practice, to test your own ideas, and to find solutions to problems. With 700 hectares of land, we have the largest experimental property among Germany’s universities. We also have several large Technical Centers where industrial production can be experienced in miniature. In various areas of the experimental stations, knowledge is demonstrated and imparted to you in a practical manner and you can carry out experiments and exercises yourself.

Agricultural Experiment Station homepage

In the Humboldt reloaded project, you will go through all stages of a real research project, from the preparation of the current state of research and the selection of methods for your own research to data analysis and presentation.

Humboldt reloaded project: Algae Espresso – Extraction with subcritical water