Dwindling Resources - Rising Energy Prices - Climate Protection

In order to ensure a good quality of life for future generations, we need to find new approaches to problems associated with secure energy supplies and the availability of raw materials. One approach calls for increased exploitation of renewable raw materials and renewable energies, whereby replacing petrochemical-based products and converting fossil energy generation are the focus of attention. Technologies and processes required to ensure adequate supplies of products manufactured which use natural resources call for integrative and networked approaches that embrace high-tech solutions. The use of biomass for the production of materials and energy is a core element of this concept. In particular, it gives rural areas the opportunity to profit from a regional value chain by exploiting raw materials that ensue from agricultural and forestry. This approach gives in the poorest areas of the world the ability to secure their livelihoods, but it's not only the developing and threshold countries that need innovations in these fields. In particular, the ambitious climate goals introduced by the EU and the German government concerning CO2-neutral use of renewable resource will ultimately drive development in this area across Germany and the entire EU.

Master programme in Renewable Raw Materials and Regenerative Energy

The German university system is currently adapting its syllabus to satisfy the requirements of a Bachelor/Master degree system. This consecutive system offers students completely new perspectives in terms organising their own educational and career paths. The Master programme follows the primary professionally qualifying degree (Bachelor, Diplom, or Polytechnic Diplom) and prepares undergraduates to take on responsible positions in companies and in R&D. A Master degree is the prerequisite for doctoral studies, opening access to the top positions in science and industry. The BTU's Master degree Programmes are closely linked to real research topics. Students are increasingly exposed to R&D challenges, and have the opportunity to independently develop their own approaches. They learn and practice the related working methods and operations. At the BTU Cottbus, in academic terms the Master degree is thus equivalent to, or better than the German-Diplom.

Goals

Building on a first qualifying degree for professional practice and possible work experience, the Master programme teaches students how to utilitise the instruments and involved their field of expertise, which prepares them to conduct scientific work, to critically assess scientific findings, as well as to independently cultivate their own scientific approaches. Depending on the degree programme structure, this is achieved by either expanding existing knowledge and competencies, or by focusing on a field of specialisation. The Master degree is the formal prerequisite to commence doctoral studies. 

The Renewable Raw Materials and Regenerative Energy degree programm emphasises a strong research-oriented profile that provides students with solid expertise and distinctive skills, in addition to knowledge of the instruments and methods involved in environmental and process technology. Programme graduates then implement their acquired knowledge to independently assess scientific findings, to conduct their own work, thereby making technical contributions to the field of renewable raw materials and of renewable energy. In particular, students should be able to develop new process technologies that facilitate the processing of renewable raw materials and creation of regenerative energies, and to then prepare them for use in industry.

The Renewable Raw Materials and Regenerative Energy Master programme communicates, broadens, and specialises in advanced scientific methods, in addition to conveying practice-oriented expertise and skills. The aim of the degree programme is to impart the theoretical and methodological knowledge that is required by such a broad application area. The Master degree is a formal prerequisite for doctoral studies.

Course Structure and Content

The Master programme is divided into the following sections:

Expanded Basic Modules

Firstly, undergraduate knowledge in the pertinent scientific and process engineering fields is broadened and deepened

Compulsory Elective Modules in Tropical Complexes

Students choose topical complexes

- Basic principles in resource economics

- Materials conversion technology

- Biotechnology/Bio-Engineering

- Material exploitation of biogenic raw materials

- Energy and material flow management

- Biogenic energy carrier technologies

- Renewable energy

- Legal, economic and social science aspects of renewable resources

from the compulsory elective modules in the respective Module Catalogue, in such a way that they can attain the overall number of required credit points. Students can access the most up-to-date version of the catalogue by either consulting the bulletin board or by going to the corresponding website.

Elective Module

The elective module serves to deepen and to sharpen the focus on a particular subject. Students can choose freely from among elective course modules of the various topical complexes, as long as openings are still available.

Transdisciplinarity

Our transdisciplinary approach to university studies stimulates students to gain insight into otheracademic disciplines, their languages and perspectives on numerous issues. Students need to learn how to express themselves outside their own, narrow subject area, in addition to a basic understanding of other academic disciplines; this is the aim of transdisciplinarity.

Project Work

Master' Thesis

Admissions requirements

Applicants to the Master Programme must submit a primary professionally qualifying degree (minimum requirement: Bachelor) in engineering science, preferably in courses geared to materials or energy technology (e.g. environmental engineering or process technology), in addition to successfully passing an examination to determine suitability. The Examinations Board may waive the suitability examination requirement for applicants who can demonstrate above average academic performance (grade point average better than 2.3). 

Start of programme

This programme can be commenced at the start of any semster.

Preparatory Internship

Not required

Prescribed study duration

The Renewable Raw Materials and Regenerative Energy Master programme is to be completed in four semesters.

Degree

Upon successful completion of the Renewable Raw Materials and Regenerative Energy Master programem, students receive the academic titel "Master of Science" (M. Sc.). This degree qualifies graduates for a doctoral programme.