New degree programmes at the University of Bayreuth focus on sustainability

The University of Bayreuth has long recognised that protecting the climate is perhaps the greatest global challenge of our time. Since 2021, the University has even adopted a binding sustainability strategy for itself. For students of all disciplines, there is the option of taking the Sustainability supplementary course. In addition, there are strong established study programmes, such as Global Change Ecology and Geoecology, which the University bundles online under "Green Studies" (https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/greenstudies).

Now a bachelor's programme and one German-language and two English-language master's programmes are being added to the portfolio of degree programmes in Bayreuth. The target group is students who wish to take responsibility for and gear their careers towards the environment.

Sustainable Chemistry & Energy (B.Sc.)

A good mix of theoretical basics, practical laboratory work, and future-oriented topics are the core elements of this new bachelor's degree programme. The "Sustainable Chemistry & Energy" degree programme, which is unique in Germany, will teach the confident and problem-based use of the internationally recognised canon of basic chemical knowledge. Especially in the second half of the degree programme, the thematic focus is decidedly on the environmental and sustainability aspects of chemical issues, e.g. the conversion and chemical storage of renewable energy. To realize the transition to green energy, new solutions are needed for the storage of renewable energy in batteries and other chemical energy carriers such as hydrogen. Environmentally friendly and efficient packaging and building materials, fertilisers, and medicines are also needed to maintain our living standards. Chemistry as the science of substances and substance transformation is tailor-made to find highly innovative solutions in this regard.

This bachelor programme is thaught in German.

Further information: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/bachelor/nachhaltige-chemie-energie

Battery Technology (M.Sc.)

Supplying society with sustainable, non-climate-damaging energy is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. It is currently assumed that the global demand for batteries for electric vehicles, stationary storage, and consumer electronics will increase at least 14-fold by 2030. This enormous demand urgently requires highly qualified specialists who have the necessary battery know-how along the entire value chain. The engineering-oriented Bayreuth master's programme "Battery Technology" will address the central issues of energy storage in an interdisciplinary manner, and train top professionals in the field of battery technology.

The german-speaking programme provides battery-specific basic knowledge and interdisciplinary specialisation in the fields of battery system technology, battery materials, and electrochemistry. In addition, all students expand their knowledge of the materials and systems sides of the battery, as well as the internal processes within a battery cell, in the compulsory curriculum, in order to gain an integrative understanding of the battery. The proximity to the "Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology" (BayBatt) makes the study programme unique and offers great networking opportunities.

Further information can be found on the study programme website: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/master/batterietechnik

Environment, Climate Change & Health (M.Sc.)

The new degree programme will provide a broad appreciation of the causal links between the environment, climate change, and health based on an integrative, interdisciplinary perspective involving the natural sciences, economics, law, and the social sciences.

In doing so, the master's programme focuses on environmental and climate change-related diseases, on strategies for dealing with and preventing these diseases, on measures for mitigating and adapting to climate change, on the mutual responsibility of government, business, and the public, as well as on opportunities and strategies for a climate- and environmentally-friendly and healthy lifestyle.

The study programme covers the fields of economics, sport, health, natural sciences, and African studies. An overview of all relevant issues of environmental and climate change and the associated health impacts will be provided. In addition, students will benefit from the long-standing, globally oriented research cooperations and the network of the University of Bayreuth, which includes the new campus in Kulmbach and MedicalCampus Upper Franconia.

Further information: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/master/ecch

Battery Materials & Technology (M.Sc.)

Access to sustainable and renewable energy is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. The English-language master's programme "Battery Materials and Technology" will prepare students for these future challenges. It deals with central questions of energy storage in an interdisciplinary manner, and focuses on issues such as the efficiency and safety of new battery materials with a scientific orientation.

The study programme will impart battery-specific basic knowledge and enable interdisciplinary specialisation in the fields of battery system technology, battery materials, and electrochemistry. 

This degree programme also benefits from the proximity to the Bavarian Centre for Battery Technology (BayBatt) and the outstanding research conducted there.

Further information: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/master/battery-materials-technology