Sustainability Science
The Master's program in Sustainability Science provides a scientifically sound academic education in the field of environmental and sustainability research. The aim is to develop theoretical, methodological, organizational and communicative skills for the conception, implementation and reflection of independent disciplinary and interdisciplinary research projects in the field of environmental and sustainability science. In addition, the program is designed to enable students to act as "change agents" in economic, scientific, political and civil society organizations, initiating, promoting and managing transition processes towards sustainability and evaluating them in terms of their results and impacts.
Career Fields
Depending on their individual profile, graduates have broad career prospects in project-related activities in sustainability-related research (especially in inter- and transdisciplinary research contexts) as well as access to leading positions in commercial enterprises and management consultancy, in public administration, in national and international organizations in the third sector and in institutions for political consultancy.
Environmental Protection / Research
- Waste Officer: Advises operators and employees in matters that are important for waste prevention and waste management
- Geo-Ecologist: Investigates the impact of humans on ecosystems and develops concepts for a responsible approach to nature, for the avoidance of environmental pollution, for the remediation of wastewater, soil and air, and for the preservation or restoration of habitats
- Water Pollution Control Officer: Controls and monitors wastewater facilities and wastewater treatment processes in legally defined companies and advises operators and employees
- Immission Control Officer: Advises plant operators or their representatives on all issues of importance for immission control, taking into account the respective operational conditions, with the aim of minimizing environmentally harmful immissions through appropriate operational procedures and technical processes
- Toxicologist: Is responsible for the monitoring of ecotoxicological studies, up to the preparation of ecotoxicological risk assessments for chemical substances such as pesticides
- Environmental Analyst: Investigates direct and indirect effects of chemicals on the environment
- Environmental Management Representative: Ensures that the legal requirements for in-house environmental protection are met
- Environmental Protection Laboratory Technician: Examines water, waste, soil and air samples for pollutant contamination and compliance with prescribed limits
- Environmental Manager: Carries out technical environmental protection measures, e.g. in water and waste management, immission control, noise and soil protection. In doing so, he/she deals with administrative procedures and examines environmental law issues
- Environmental Scientist: monitors and analyses environmentally relevant processes, assesses ecological risks and carries out environmental impact assessments
Renewable Energies
- Energy Consultant: Informs private households and commercial enterprises in economic and technical terms about economical and environmentally friendly energy use
- Climate Protection Manager: Coordinates municipal activities and projects to save energy and emissions and informs the public about climate protection measures
Consulting / Expert Opinion
- Waste Adviser: Informs companies, private households, authorities and local political bodies, clubs, associations, schools and kindergartens about the implementation of measures for waste prevention, recycling and disposal
- Urban and Regional Planner: Plans the design of landscapes and cities with consideration of environmental protection and nature conservation
- Tourism Manager: Performs organizational, marketing and management tasks, especially in companies in the tourism industry. As a graduate in sustainability sciences, he/she can take on an advisory function with regard to a more sustainable design in tourism.
- Management Consultant: As an external service provider, he/she analyses the processes and structures in companies, e.g. to keep the company's impact on the environment as low as possible.
- Environmental Auditor: Plans and carries out internal audits according to the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). In addition, he/she checks compliance with the relevant requirements regarding the company's environmental policy.
- Environmental Auditor: Certifies organizations according to the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and provides expert opinions on the quality of a company's so-called environmental performance.
- Environmental Economist: Plans, organizes and monitors concepts for environmentally compatible economic activity. He/she works, for example, in public administration, engineering offices or companies
- Consumer Advisor: Informs, advises and supports consumers in questions of consumption
- Traffic Planner: Develops traffic facilities and systems to optimize traffic processes. Here, a special focus can be placed on the ecological compatibility of traffic planning.
Public Relations / Foundations / Institutes
- Campagner: Develops strategies and projects on sustainability issues, e.g. for non-profit organizations. He/she plans and implements actions and represents the organization externally.
- Expert for environment and sustainability in PR departments: Plans, develops and implements measures to promote the image of companies, authorities, associations and other institutions
- Online Editor: Prepares texts for Internet / online presences, e.g. for political magazines
- Project Manager for environmental projects of foundations/NGOs: Supervises projects from conception to technical and organizational implementation within the framework of defined specifications
- Environmental Journalist: Writes about sustainability-related topics, e.g. for political magazines
Education / Adult Education
- Expert in the field of education/adult education: There are various professional opportunities for sustainability scientists in the field of education, for example in the field of environmental education in schools or vocational training. A further focus is on education for sustainable development. In addition to teaching activities, their responsibilities include developing concepts and organizing and conducting courses and seminars. The production of educational materials also falls into this area of responsibility. These posts can be located in both government and private institutions. These include above all
- Public administrations at the various levels of government (including nature conservation and environmental protection agencies)
- Associations, clubs, foundations and corporations
- Research institutions
- political organizations.
- Lecturer at universities and academies: Independently designs and conducts courses. He/she also works on scientific research projects.
- Consultant for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) for multipliers: Exert indirect influence with the help of multipliers who, through their professional or social position, influence the masses and can act as catalysts for ESD.
Research Facilities / Think Tanks
- Sustainability Scientist: Is specially trained for interdisciplinary research and transdisciplinary cooperation. Not only interdisciplinary research projects can be a later field of activity, but also the moderation of processes between science and practice (transdisciplinarity).
- Research Assistant: Works in research institutions that are either supported by scientific academies and universities or financed by non-profit organizations. Activities in research institutions include, for example, the acquisition of research funds, the concrete implementation of research projects and their publication.