Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production (EnviroFood)

How can we provide for the world's current population without exhausting the natural resources required for future generations? One of this century's major challenges is to intensify food production in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The concept of sustainability also includes recycling of waste. Complex problems arise, particularly on the periphery of densely populated areas, where competing forms of land use have to be balanced (e.g., settlement, recreation, waste disposal). In order to try to solve these problems, we not only have to consider scientific and technical but also socio-economic, political, and legal aspects.
Therefore, the University of Hohenheim has developed the programme Environmental Protection and Agricultural Food Production. It is designed to provide qualified students of all nationalities with an internationally competitive, state-of-the-art training.

Educational organisation

The two-year programme starts in October each year. It consists of three in-class semesters comprising 14 modules (six compulsory, three semi-elective, five elective modules).
The compulsory modules have to be completed within the first and second semesters:

1. Agricultural Production and Residues
2. Economics and Environmental Policy
3. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Analytics
4. Environmental Microbiology, Parasitology and Microbial Ecology
5. Environmental Modelling
6. Spatial Data Analysis with GIS

Basic knowledge in chemistry, physics, calculus, and biology are required in order to successfully complete most of the modules.

Study abroad unit(s)

Students have the opportunity to take the third-semester modules at partner universities abroad. The thesis semester may be spent in Germany or abroad (within one of the numerous international research projects conducted by Hohenheim's research staff in cooperation with partner institutions).

Internships

Internships are not compulsory, but recommended. The internship must be organised by the student and has to fit the schedule of the programme. Upon request, the Career Center may assist in finding an internship.

Forms of assessment

Written assessment (exams, presentations, essays, thesis)
Oral assessment (exams, presentations, defence)

Course objectives

Graduates will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to:

• analyse and understand ecosystematic, economic, political, and administrative interdependencies
• understand physical, chemical, and biological properties of agents and matter in order to identify their impact on the environment
• set up models for environmental systems, conduct simulations, and analyse the results
• analyse spatial data with geographical information systems
• develop integrative problem solutions on a global scale

Language requirements

TOEFL: minimum 90 internet-based or
IELTS: minimum 6.5

Academic requirements

Above-average Bachelor of Science (BSc) or equivalent degree in agricultural, environmental, or nutritional sciences, food technology, biology, or a related field

Enrolment fees

About 160 EUR per semester

Costs of living

Living expenses in Germany are relatively high. Each student should calculate at least 700 EUR per month for accommodation, food, health insurance, and public transport.
For the first month, students should expect higher costs, as they have to pay registration fees. Rent for a single room varies from 220 EUR to 400 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

Hohenheim offers enrolled students assistant jobs on campus. Students are responsible for managing working hours and these hours should not conflict with their studies. Working off campus is also possible according to the Aliens Act. However, please be aware that without good knowledge of German, jobs are quite difficult to find.

Arrival support

Assistance with accommodation, enrolment, and health insurance is provided by the international office. The programme coordination office can help with the organisation of the studies and other formalities.

Services and support for international students

German language courses for beginners and advanced learners are offered during the semester.
Students can participate in ten introductory days with trips and presentations to get to know the university facilities and local surroundings.
"Warm-up seminars" (intercultural seminar, facts and skills seminar) are offered before the start of the programme.
Upon request, a personal mentor from the teaching staff can advise students on appropriate study profiles as well as support students in planning their studies in a smooth and goal-oriented way.

Accommodation

There are five residence halls on campus. All rooms are furnished and have telephone and internet access. Kitchens, bathroom facilities, and washing machines are available, and these are mostly shared with flatmates. Personal belongings like towels and bed sheets are not provided. Depending on size and quality, prices for rent vary from 220 EUR to 400 EUR per month. Rooms in dormitories are usually available for the first year. In the second year, students have to look for accommodation on the private market.