Course Focus
Agricultural production uses natural resources in diverse ways. These resources show complex interactions and are sensitive to human activities and interventions. Their appropriate management requires skilled individuals with both the biophysical and the socioeconomic background knowledge. The ARTS programme is designed as a research-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to expand students’ overall background in the basic and applied management of natural resources for agricultural development and research in (sub)tropical environments. Students develop a holistic, cross-disciplinary under- standing and acquire a systems’ view of structure, use, interactions, endangerment and protection of natural resources. Graduates from the ARTS Master’s programme (M.Sc.) are equipped with skills and tools to recognize and solve problems related to (sub)tropical resource management, thus making them effective leaders for agricultural development preparing them for agricultural and environmental research and development positions providing an entry qualification for PhD programmes. The ARTS programme extends over 24 months and is structured into compulsory and optional modules, following the European Credit Transfer System. The international organisations located in Bonn offer opportunities for internships to registered ARTS students, and representatives contribute to lectures and seminars. The first semester serves to broaden students’ knowledge by providing an overview on the structure and use of resources in (sub) tropical agriculture. Interdisciplinary lectures and seminars focus on resource interactions in relation to the social, economical and political context and are supplemented by practical exercises and diverse socio-cultural activities. In the second semester, students deepen their knowledge by choosing at least five from a catalogue of 15 modules in three elective specialisation areas: a) ecosystem b) molecular and physiological, or c) social-economic approaches to resource management. The third study semester, under the theme “from knowledge to action”, prepares students to translate research questions into activities and projects. Activities comprise seminars and exercises on scientific communication, research planning and project management. The last study semester is devoted to the thesis research, including the elaboration and presentation of a thesis proposal, the collection of experimental data at the (sub)tropical field research site, and the writing and defence of the thesis. Fulfilling the requirements for the Master of Science degree includes passing the pre-determined number of 120 credits in the form of courses, seminars and the thesis.
Target Group
Young, qualified professionals from government agencies, NGO’s, private enterprises, and universities, presently working in agricultural/ environmental research and development or related fields.