Forest Science and Resource Management

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.

Application requirements and eligibility

To apply for the Bachelor`s program Forest Science and Resource Management you must hold a higher education entrance qualification (HZB) or show proof of a professional qualification. You can find all information about the university entrance qualification here.

It is a degree program without admission restrictions. Further information about Admission-free Degree Programs you can find here. 
 

Language Certificates

The language of instruction for the degree program is German, therefore applicants whose language of instruction is not German must provide proof of language proficiency. Please find out here whether you need to submit a language certificate and which German certificates are accepted.
 

Preliminary review documentation (VPD) 

Applicants who have not obtained their university entrance qualification in the German school system in Germany or at a school with German Abitur examination regulations require a preliminary examination documentation. You must first apply for the VPD at uni-assist and then upload it to TUM with your application. You can find detailed information on the VPD here.
 

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

All students have to pay a semester fee for the student union (Studierendenwerk).

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25. All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.
 

Application period and start of studies

The application period is from 15 May to 15 September each year for the following winter semester. Start of the degree program is only possible in the winter semester. See here for semester dates. For international students, we strongly recommend to apply as early as possible.
 

Online application

Application is only possible via our online application portal, where you need to set up an applicant account. You find instructions for your online application here.  You do not have to submit any hardcopies before your application is reviewed and you receive an offer of admission. Please upload all documents to TUMonline before the end of the application deadline. Documents submitted via email cannot be processed.
 

Enrollment

 Once you are admitted to this program, you have to accept your study place in your applicant account. Subsequently you have to submit your certified paper copies for enrollment and pay the semester fees and, if applicable, the tuition fees. All relevant information will appear in your TUMonline applicant account. See here for details on the enrolment process and here for the glossary of documents.

Please note that from the time where you receive admission, we will only contact you via your tum.de/mytum.de email address that you find in your applicant account. Make sure that these emails can be received by you. See here for instructions how to set up your email address at TUM. 

• 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(at)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