Forest Science and Resource Management

As complex ecosystems, forests feature worldwide among the most significant biodiversity hotspots and fulfill numerous functions. They offer habitats for plant and animal species, produce wood – the most important renewable resource in terms of surface area and quantity – and make a fundamental contribution to the common good of society. In times of climate change and related efforts aimed at decarbonization, the significance of the forest as a supplier of energy and as carbon sink has further increased. Forest ecosystems must therefore satisfy numerous demands and, as such, are increasingly the focus of sociopolitical discourse. All of which is reflected in a demand for wood and wood products that has continually risen over the years, as well as in increasing efforts to protect and maintain forests.  

In order to do justice to these diverse and, in part, conflicting demands concerning the use of renewable resources and forest ecosystems, careful and comprehensive management is essential.

To this end, the Bachelor’s program “Forest Science and Resource Management” offers the requisite discipline-specific foundations, as well as those relating to economics and the social and natural sciences. As such, fundamentals of natural science play a role equally important to that of the technical assessment of products, and the socio-political significance of natural resources.

The study program division Forest Science and Resource Management is therefore committed to providing training that is as broad as possible.

Besides the specialized, scientific course load, expanding students’ personal competencies is a further goal of the program. To this end, project work to be completed in a team as well as additional courses in rhetoric, conflict management, or stays abroad are also offered.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the Bachelor’s program in Forest Science and Resource Management (PDF, German) 

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor’s program “Forest Science and Resource Management”, graduates understand the basic principles of sustainable economic activity and trade. They are conscious of the ecological, economic, and socio-political significance of natural resources. They have foundational knowledge of the natural and social sciences as well as economics and are capable of applying it in solutions to the most varied problems. They think in a contextual and analytical manner and work scientifically in accordance with established methods.

Graduates are familiar with and understand the complexity and dynamics of forest ecosystems and are able to apply this knowledge as the basis of forestry practice. They possess an extensive overview of historical developments in forest management as well as of current legal and political conditions. They understand the significance of long-term planning as the basis of forestry practice and can assess the economic and ecological effects of various practical steps. They are in a position to apply various silvicultural and business concepts and to tailor these in response to altered conditions as well as to develop them further. They understand practical work processes and can comprehensively analyze and assess them. Furthermore, They are in a position to analyze, assess and control technical forestry procedures taking into consideration economic, ecological, and technological aspects. They have an overview of the most important technologies involved in the processing of wood and the ways in which these are applied. They are familiar with various industrial procedures and understand related requirements concerning the quality of raw materials. In addition, when it comes to planning, they have foundational knowledge and skills in the area of landscape development and are conscious of the significance of the forest as a landscape component.

The goal of the program is to provide solid foundations for embarking on a consecutive master's program in the areas of “Forest Science” and “Resource Management”. Moreover, the program also offers an initial qualification that can be used for professional purposes. Relevant occupational profiles include, for example, the management of a small forestry company, a position in a company in the forestry or wood industries, or forestry consultancy. The Bachelor’s program also qualifies students to enter into training for the German forest service at a higher technical level (third tier).

The Bachelor’s program Forest Science and Resource Management is designed to be completed in 6 semesters, including an internship and the preparation of a Bachelor’s thesis. In total, students must earn 180 credit points through the completion of modular courses. For every module, students must take a corresponding module examination. The Bachelor’s program consists of:

• lower-division courses oriented towards the natural sciences, comprising 10 required modules (Fundamentals and Orientation Examinations),
• forest science courses, comprising 16 required modules, 3 elective modules, an internship and a bachelor's thesis (bachelor's examination), as well as
• the bachelor colloquium.

For further information on the modules, see the module catalog at www.forst.wzw.tum.de.

• Overview Degree Program Structure (PDF 114 KB)
• Module Catalog: Description of Program Content

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient German language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your German language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.   

Language of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German.

• Information on exams
• Information on studying abroad
• Information on internships

Admission requirements and the application procedure vary depending on the type of higher education entrance qualification you hold.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with an international higher education entrance qualification must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• What are the steps of the application process?
• What admissions requirements do I need to fulfill?
• Important information about your application from the TUM school

• Higher Education Entrance Qualification
• Proof of German Language Proficiency
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) by uni-assist - for international applicants only

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents. 

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Higher Education Entrance Qualification (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 15.05. – 15.09.

Information about applying for a higher subject semester

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

When applying with an international higher education entrance qualification, please be sure to complete the application for your VPD Certificate before 15.07. (winter semester) or 15.01. (summer semester) and submit proof of your German language proficiency before the application deadline.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

This is a program with unrestricted access.

There is no selection procedure. You will receive confirmation of your application 

• after submission of the online application and all documents in a formally correct manner by the deadline
• and after your documents have been reviewed.

• Unrestricted Admission