The main aim of the degree’s teaching is to convey fundamental aspects of bioeconomy with a focus on coastal and rural regions in the context of the Baltic Sea region. In the field of natural sciences, teaching focuses on molecular biotechnology. Furthermore, students receive tuition on relevant topics related to marine biotechnology, including new usage concepts for plant-based biomass. The inter- and transdisciplinary training is complemented by teaching contents from subject areas in the fields of business studies, the humanities and social sciences. The degree course aims to convey both the basic principles of bio-based sustainable industry and central bio-based value chains, as well as the fundamentals of decision making from a business administration and economics perspective. Based on
practical examples, students learn about requirements for founding and managing enterprises, innovations, commercial exploitation and sustainability, also receiving the required background knowledge on relevant legal provisions and business policies.

In accordance with the individual specialisation and previous knowledge of the students, the degree course’s spectrum of methods is diverse and ranges from biotechnological and microbiological laboratory methods, to field methods and methods used in empirical economic and social science research. Interdisciplinary collaboration skills are tested during the Case Study, in which students with existing knowledge from various disciplines jointly solve a practice-based problem. In the master’s dissertation, students consolidate their academic methodology by independently tackling a complex issue. The internship provides students with insights into future professions in the field of bioeconomy. Furthermore, students gain practical skills and knowledge for founding own companies.

The degree course qualifies students to take on demanding analytical tasks in research and practice at private and public sector employers, or to found their own companies. The main aim is to provide students with the subject expertise for research-related tasks and managerial positions. Students gain qualifications for future employment in the private sector, in particular, for positions in the field of biotechnology, but also in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, as well as consultancies. In the public sector, graduates are able to take on positions in business and regional development agencies, as well as in research at higher education and non-university research institutes.Furthermore, they can gain employment at associations, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

The degree course is divided into compulsory modules, personal profiling and elective modules. The compulsory modules provide students with integrative and global perspectives of bioeconomy. As part of Personal Profiling, students receive an individual study plan based on existing knowledge from their preceding bachelor's degree course. Students with a background in natural sciences acquire basic knowledge of business sciences (business administration and economics). Students with a background in economics and social studies acquire basic knowledge of biochemistry/biology. Due to the extensive range of elective modules, it is possible to develop an individual focus. We advise students on suitable combinations.

Note: Details can be found in the examination and study regulations with the accompanying module handbook.

Master’s modules:

• Compulsory modules:
• Bioeconomy and Regional Development
• Biotechnology
• Entrepreneurship
• Case Study Interdisciplinary Report
• Internship

• Personal Profiling Modules:
• Fundamentals of Business Administration I
• Microeconomic Theory
• Fundamentals of Biology and Biochemistry I
• Fundamentals of Business Administration II
• Macroeconomic Theory
• Fundamentals of Biology and Biochemistry II
   
• Elective Modules:
• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Structural Analysis of Biological Macromolecules
• Proteomics and Microbiology
• Bioactive Molecules of Nature
• Plant Physiology
• Landscape Ecology and Economics
• Mathmatics and Statistics
• Economic Geography
• Rural Areas
• Regional Development
• Marketing
• Financial Processes
• Markets and Market Failures
• Location Planning
• Health Business Administration
• Regional Economics
• Endogenous Groth and Sustainability

As part of the Case Study during the third semester, you will be asked to independently prepare a stratagy for and realise an interdisciplinary project, in which you will solve a practice-oriented problem related to bioeconomy together with other students from different subject backgrounds. You will then prepare a report on the results of the project work. In addition, you will complete an internship of at least eight weeks in Germany or abroad (e.g. at a company, a public authority, a research institution or another institution that is relevant to the subject). Following approval, students can also take part in one-semester study programmes abroad.