Environmental and Resource Management (M.Sc.)

Environmental and Resource Management (M.Sc.)

The master's programme ERM has an applied orientation. It is a consecutive course that follows the Environmental and Resource Management bachelor's degree offered by the BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg and is also suitable as a further qualification for graduates of other relevant bachelor's programmes

The course serves to broaden and deepen professional knowledge and management skills in the focus area of integrated environmental and resource protection. Graduates will be able to assess and design technological, economic and infrastructure processes with the objective of sustainable production, planning and material flow management.

Program Description

The Master of Science in Environmental and Resource Management (ERM) at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) is an innovative, interdisciplinary graduate program that addresses the complexity of today’s environmental challenges through an integrated perspective. It is designed for students from a wide range of academic backgrounds—including environmental sciences, engineering, law, economics, and planning—who are interested in solving complex environmental and resource challenges at local and global levels.

Importantly, the program is also a natural continuation of BTU’s B.Sc. in Environmental and Resource Management, allowing graduates of the bachelor’s program to smoothly transition into advanced studies within the same academic and research environment.

This four-semester, research-oriented program combines academic training with practical application, giving students both the knowledge and tools to address global environmental and resource-related problems. Courses are taught entirely in English by an international team of faculty and researchers.

Structured as a modular program, ERM emphasizes flexibility and interdisciplinary learning. Students personalize their academic path by selecting from a wide array of elective courses within three specialization tracks.

• Environmental Engineering
  
• Environmental Science
  
• Environmental Economics, Planning, and Law
  
  

Program Structure

The program begins with foundational courses in environmental and resource management and gradually moves toward specialized electives and research activities. A study project in the third semester enables students to gain hands-on experience by solving real-world problems, which is conceptualized as an interdisciplinary and problem-oriented class comprising seminars, exercises, fieldwork, institutional research, literature study, etc. The main scope is the development of problem-solving skills using information gathering, social interaction with a team, and communication of results. The master’s thesis in the fourth semester allows for in-depth research on a chosen topic.

• Semester 1–2: Core and elective modules
  
• Semester 3: Study Project (12 ECTS), optional semester abroad
  
• Semester 4: Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
  

On average, 20 hpw resp. 30 credits have to be studied in each semester, meaning a total of 80 hpw resp. 120 credits. Advisors will be available to guide the student in finding the optimal curriculum according to her/his background.

Professional Fields of Activity

• Environmental and regulatory agencies at local, regional and national level
  
• Environmental organizations, the European Union and the United Nations
  
• Universities and research institutes
  
• Engineering and planning offices
  
• Energy companies
  
• Environmental management and research institutions
  
• Sewage, waste management companies, recycling companies
  
  

Admissions Requirements

• At least a bachelor’s degree in the subject area or an equivalent degree
  
• Proof of proficiency in English
  
  • TOEFL (min. 550 points, 213 points computer based, internet based 79 points)
    
  • IELTS (min. 6.0), Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (min. B);
    
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (min. B)
    
  • Exempted from this regulation are only students from: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, or students who completed a secondary level degree in English in one of the above mentioned countries or Germany.
    
  • For applicants from Germany: Usually, the Abitur certificate is sufficient proof of English language skills.

Further informations