Forest Science and Resource Management (Bachelor of Science)

Climate change and sustainability – challenges that have shaped recent years and will continue to do so in the coming years. Forests as complex ecosystems play an important role in shaping the future. In the Bachelor's program in Forestry and Resource Management, you will deal with the most important terrestrial biodiversity hotspot in the world. Habitat for animals and plants, guarantor of numerous protective functions, recreational area, and at the same time producer of the world’s most important renewable raw material. Holistic management and a trained eye are necessary to meet the diverse and sometimes conflicting demands.

We provide you with the necessary specialized knowledge, economic, social and natural scientific foundations, system understanding, and methodological competence. After your studies, you will be able to analyze and understand the forest ecosystem from a holistic perspective. Sustainability is the basis and motivation for our actions.

With the Bachelor's program in Forest Science and Resource Management you will be ready to take over the management of small forest enterprises, find employment with companies in the forestry and timber industry, or work in the forestry consulting sector.

There is also great demand for forestry scientists in the paper, furniture and packaging industries. Your Bachelor's degree also qualifies you for training as a senior technical forestry service ranger (3rd level of qualification). You can then become a district forester, for example.

Would you rather be active in the field of nature conservation or be involved in international development cooperation? Both are possible thanks to the ecological, economic, and socio-political skills you acquire during your studies. And if your hunger for knowledge is not satisfied after graduation, we recommend our advanced Master’s of Forestry and Wood Science, which paves the way for managerial roles and scholarly activities.

At the beginning of your studies, the focus is on the fundamentals of natural sciences and comprises ten compulsory modules. In addition to Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Economics, you will be immersed in the first specialist modules such as Dendrology, Ecoclimatology, Forest and Environmental History and the Material Properties of Wood.

From the second year of study onwards, you will then take the modules specific to forestry. Various elective modules provide you with the opportunity to specialize in different areas during your studies. Besides, you can build your profile by choosing your 8-week internship and the topic of your Bachelor's thesis.

Interested? Take a look at our curriculum.

The forestry competences you will acquire during your Bachelor's program are based on natural, engineering, economic and social sciences. Through your specialized competences you will be able to understand the role of the forest for the environment and the climate as well as its social significance.

You will be able to apply this knowledge to concrete and practical questions and develop problem-solving strategies. You will also be able to apply silvicultural and operational concepts and adapt them to changing conditions. You will be familiar with forest rejuvenation, establishment and maintenance, and be able to carry them out.

Due to your profound knowledge in soil science, ecology, and biology, you will be able to evaluate deciduous and coniferous tree species by differential diagnosis, to derive forest site characteristics, and to make recommendations for the selection of tree species. You will be familiar with the water and nutrient balance of trees and be able to identify the most important causes of damage. In addition, you will know wood technologies and utilization paths, and be able to evaluate forest and wood products in environmental analyses.

Basic planning knowledge helps you in the field of landscape development and makes you aware of the importance of the forest as a landscape element. The acquired knowledge will prepare you for the start of your professional life or for a master's degree.

During the application period you can easily apply for a place in the winter semester via the application portal TUMonline. You can upload your documents for the admission to the Forest Sciences and Resource Management program directly in the portal.

Prerequisite for admission is the general university entrance qualification or a comparable qualification. There are no other admission restrictions; the study program is admission-free.

When you receive your admission, all you have to do is accept the study place and submit a few certified hard copies for enrollment.

A pre-study internship before the start of the course is not required for admission.

• Curriculum
  • Curriculum (from start of degree program WS 23/24)
  • Curriculum (until start of degree program WS 22/23)
• The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20231 (from start of degree program WS 23/24 available)
• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses

• Board of Examination

The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Apl. Prof. Dr. rer. silv. Gabriele Weber-Blaschke. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co@ls.tum.de.

Internship

A pre-study internship is not required for admission to the course. However, to complete your studies, you must complete and provide evidence of an 8-week subject-related internship (11 ECTS). The internship can be completed before or during your Bachelor's degree and can be divided into several sections. Please note, however, that an internship section shorter than 4 weeks cannot be credited. An internship report must also be prepared. Further details can be found on the website Praktikantenamts Weihenstephan.

The completion of the internship is defined in the internship regulations.

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions