Individual timetables for the four-semester master’s degree course will be agreed together with the students in accordance with their previous knowledge. This makes it possible to consolidate the contents learned in the preceding bachelor’s degree at the same time as gaining basic insights into other disciplines involved in bioeconomy. In joint classes, students gain knowledge of cross-disciplinary contents and methods, such as the relationship between bioeconomy, biotechnology and regional development, as well as entrepreneurial skills. Furthermore, individual specialisations are possible thanks to a pool of almost 30 elective modules from the fields of biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacy, botany and landscape ecology, geography, and business administration or economics.
The degree course includes a work placement and participation in an interdisciplinary case study. During the case study, students with different experience and skills work together to solve specific practice-related problems. These projects look into the biotechnological feasibility, profitability, and regional effects of bioeconomic approaches and students gain experience of working in teams of mixed expertise.
The University of Greifswald’s new degree course provides students with the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the entire scope of bioeconomy, from top-level research projects to the development of specific solutions for practical application, or the founding of their own companies. This opens up a broad spectrum of possible future employment at universities, research institutes, authorities, commercial enterprises and business associations. Graduates are also eligible for acceptance to a doctoral programme.
Applicants require an undergraduate degree from a subject-relevant degree course – for example, biochemistry, pharmacy, geography, business administration, agriculture and forestry, or similar subjects, as well as solid knowledge of the English language (level B2 CEFR).
Regional structural change through bioeconomy in north-eastern Vorpommern and across the globe
Bioeconomy is a cross-sector economic concept which is expected to help solve large social challenges at both global and European level. Bioeconomy is based on biogenic resources produced by the agricultural, forestry and maritime industries, biological and biotechnological procedures, as well as knowledge. By using innovative procedures, bioeconomy endeavours to increase the creation of value in local regions and the amount of sustainable industry.
A large number of bioeconomic applications can already be found in the Vorpommern region, which have emerged from collaboration between science and commerce. For example, investigations are underway to find out how algae from the Baltic Sea could be used as a source of raw materials for the production of fine chemicals. The cultivation of bulrushes on wet peatland areas provides the basis for natural building materials of tomorrow. Regional breweries and sugar factories are testing innovative procedures for cascade utilisation and circular economy. In addition, a tyre manufacturer is developing procedures for introducing Kazakh dandelion as an alternative source of natural rubber.
The master’s degree course specialises in particular in the field of bioeconomy in coastal regions of the Baltic Sea region and in rural regions, and is closely tied to the WIR!-Bündnis Plant³ alliance. With its funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the alliance is supporting the bioeconomic structural change in north-eastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern through the high-quality refinement of plant-based raw materials.
The spokesperson of the Plant³ alliance, Prof. Dr. Daniel Schiller, is also the chairperson of the examination board for the master’s degree course: ‘Bioeconomy is an exciting and highly relevant concept for an evidence-based and sustainable economy of tomorrow. The master’s degree course offers students a broad range of possibilities for becoming experts in the bioeconomic transformation process. In addition to providing excellent research and professional qualifications, we offer students specific support for the realisation of their own entrepreneurial ideas.’
The degree course will start in winter semester 2022/23.
Further Information
Further details on the degree course [de]
WIR!-Bündnis Plant³ alliance [de]
Contact at the University of Greifswald
Prof. Dr. Daniel Schiller (Chairperson of the Examination Board)
Dr. Ralf Scheibe (Academic Advisor)
Institute of Geography and Geology
Tel.: +49 3834 420 4524 or 420 4539
daniel.schilleruni-greifswaldde
ralf.scheibeuni-greifswaldde