Course content – Sustainability Science
On this page you can inform yourself about the curriculum of the Masters programme Sustainability Science. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the contact points listed under "Contact and Counselling" and make use of the counselling services offered by the Graduate School.
Course structure
Elective modules
1st Semester
Advanced level of Perspectives of Natural Sciences
- Ecosystem Responses to Chemical Pollution
- Earth Systems and Climate Change
- Sustainable Chemistry 1: Concepts of Sustainable Chemistry
Advanced level of Perspectives of Social Sciences
- Sustainability Communication
- Market-oriented Sustainability Management
- Sustainability Governance
2nd Semester
Advanced Modules: Humanities or Natural Sciences
- Conservation Biology
- Ecosystem processes: a biogeochemical perspective
- Geochemical parameters and Sustainable Chemistry 2: Chemical Structure and Biological effect
- Sustainable Chemistry 3: Degradation of Chemicals in the Environment
- Sustainability Performance Measurement and Management
- Sustainability Economics
- Sustainability, Digital Media and Information Society
- Sustainability, Governance and Law
3rd Semester
Advanced Modules: Humanities or Natural Sciences
- Sustainable Chemistry 4: Fate, Modeling and Design of Chemicals
- Sustainable Energy
- Macroecology and Global Change Biology
- Models in Global Change Research
- Social Ecology – Conceptual and Methodological Principles, Social-Ecological Space Research
- Sustainability, Culture and Education
- Sustainability and Social Developments
Subject-specific area
Advanced level of Perspectives of Natural-/Social Sciences
The modules "Advanced level of Perspectives of Natural Science/Social Sciences" (20 CP) introduce the two fundamental pillars of Lüneburg's sustainability sciences – sustainability natural sciences and sustainability human sciences.
Advanced Modules
The "Advanced Modules" (20 CP) are directed towards the in-depth analysis of current topics in sustainability research from a subject-specific or problem-oriented perspective.
Integration
The modules in the area of "Integration" (20 CP) bring together the basic and advanced principles as well as the natural and human science pillars of sustainability science in a project- and practice-oriented manner: The integration area comprises an inter- and transdisciplinary student research project, usually lasting two semesters, in which students work on sustainability-related problems as a team together with scientists and practitioners.
Masters Forum/Research Perspectives, Master Thesis
The modules in the category "Masters Forum/Research Perspectives, Master Thesis" (45 CP) deal with theoretical and normative assumptions as well as methodological approaches in sustainability science. In addition, students are prepared for the practical requirements of sustainability research (conception, planning, implementation and communication of their own research work) and are guided in writing their Masters thesis.
Complementary studies
The Complementary Studies are an essential part of the special teaching model of Leuphana. It supplements and expands students' subject-specific learning with the following three modules (5 CP each) with critical academic and practical perspectives from all faculties:
- Engaging with Knowledge and Sciences (in the 1st Semester)
- Reflecting on Research Methods (in the 2nd Semester)
- Connecting Science, Responsibility and Society (in the 3rd Semester)
Masters thesis
Generally, the Master's thesis is written at the end of the degree programme after you have assured yourself of your interests in terms of content and methodology in the previous semesters.
All the information about the Master's thesis and how to organise your Master's thesis in five steps has been compiled for you on the website Master's thesis.
In addition, helpful courses for writing the Master's thesis are regularly offered as part of the GradSkills.
Study regulations/subject-specific schedule
The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.
General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules
Course catalogue
In the course catalogue you can get an overview of the courses currently offered and their specific contents.
Contact and Counselling
First contact point
The Information Office (Infoportal) is your contact point for
- general information on the application procedure
- initial questions about the study programmes offered at Leuphana
- making an appointment with the Graduate School Student Counselling Service.
Information Office
Building 8, Ground Level
Fon +49.4131.677-2277
studierendenservice@leuphana.de
Campus opening hours
Mon - Thu 9.00 am - 4:00 pm
Fr 9.00 am - 12 noon
Student Counselling
To make an appointment with our Student Counselling Service, please use our booking tool on our website.