Sustainability Assesment and Transformation (SAT)

This major is a new interdisciplinary major for students who want to build a solid scientific basis for addressing topical sustainability questions, including: Which transformation strategies are most effective? How does the energy transition effect inequality? Is economic growth possible in the future? How much will technology help? How can we design a sustainable future for all?

You will become an expert in cutting-edge sustainability assessment tools, including material and energy flow analysis, cost benefit analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), and legal analysis! You will engage in world-class training in systems thinking, critical thinking, and analytical thinking on the above questions. You will learn how to apply models and develop indicators to evaluate innovative business, technical, infrastructural, regulatory, policy, and behavioural solutions for a sustainable future.

Important Facts

Language: English
Teaching form: On-campus
Type of study: Fulltime
Study location: Freiburg
Start: Winterterm only, October
Duration: 4 Semester
ECTS: 120 ECTS
Costs: 161€ Semester fees,
+ 1.500€ Study fees (only NON-EU-Students)

Application period: March 1st – May 15th

Special features of the SAT-major

Impact-Tools: Study cutting-edge sustainability assessment methods and their application

Cross-Link: Integrate knowledge from different disciplines, from industrial processes to governance approaches

Change-Maker: Become an expert in the science and help to shape sustainabilty transformation in cities and companies

Hands-on: Large, self‑directed 3rd‑semester project that integrates and deepens all learned skills.

“At our Faculty, we are passionate about sustainability, and we are proud to offer the Major “Sustainability Assessment and Transformation” that equips you with fundamental insights and actionable knowledge to tackle some or our world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.”

Prof. Dr. Stefan Pauliuk

Head of the SAT Major, Chair for Sustainable Energy and Material Flow Management

Curriculum

Short description of the study content

1. Semester
2. Semester
3. Semester
Electives
Internship
Master Thesis
Erasmus

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First Semester (Winter)

In the first winter semester, which begins Mid October, the modules are offered in a weekly course format. It consists of core and major modules.

Core modules

Research Skills: Basic skills and concepts to conduct and communicate scientific reserach
Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Environmental Sciences: Different scientific fields, methods, ethics and philosophies in Env. Sciences

Major modules

Environmental and Resource Economics: Price formation, economic effectiveness of transformation policies, resource pricing mechanisms
Life Cycle Assessment: History, core principles, application, and state-of-the-art databases and software of life cycle assessment
Material and Energy Flow Analysis: Energy supply and use, sustainable circular economy, Mathematical modelling of material cycles

Second Semester (Summer)

During the summer semester, courses are taught in a 3-week block format and may include field trips.

Major modules

Supply chain modelling, indicators, and responsibility: Input-output model, environmental footprints, supply chain management
Systems thinking and Scenario Modelling for Sustainability Transformation: Own interdisciplinary case study
Energy System Transition: Energy technology, economics and policy, innovation and transition theory
Sustainability Law and Transformation: Basic principles of environmental law, case studies, regulation in sustainable development

Third semester (Winter)

In the third semester, the modules are offered in a weekly course format. It consists of a core module, several major modules and free space to take elective courses.

Core modules

Research in Environmental Sciences: Strategic advices, approaches, tools and management for Master thesis

Major module

Research Project: Own interdisciplinary research project, individually or as a team, presentation and discussion of results

Elective Modules

During the program you take three electives amounting to 15 ECTS credits.

You can choose from a wide selection of modules offered to the students of MSc Environmental Sciences. The language of instruction is mainly English, although German taught modules are also available.

In addition, modules from other master programmes within the faculty, the university, or even outside the university may be taken, provided they are academically relevant. Eligibility is decided by the examination board in accordance with the specific focus of the study programme.

Language courses are not recognised as suitable teaching units.

The internship should provide an insight into possible career fields and enables to gain hands-on and real-life work experience, connect to organisations and develop personal and professional competences. It serves as an excellent opportunity to explore possible professional fields and career paths.

The mandatory internship (10 ECTS) lasts at least 7 weeks (275 full‑time working hours). It is recommended to place it in the semester break between the 2nd and 3rd semester, but it can also be scheduled flexibly at any time thats suitable. It may be completed either in one company or can be also split into two phases and two different companies of at least three weeks each. Students are free to do it either in Germany or abroad.

Internships are organised by the students themselves. They will be supported with advice and contacts on request.

The Master thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits (27 ECTS master thesis and 3 ECTS colloquium). The written part is an individual examination paper. This thesis must be completed within 6 months and the topic must be chosen from the area of the chosen major. The Master’s colloquium consists of an approximately 20-minute presentation by the student on the topic, methods and results of the Master’s thesis, followed by a discussion.

The purpose is to enable each student to work intensively on a subject within their field of study using scientific methods, meet the stipulated deadline, and present the results in an appropriate scientific research format. Both the thesis topic and the supervising faculty members are arranged and agreed upon by the student themselves. Registration of the thesis is permitted once the student has accumulated at least 60 ECTS on their transcript of records.

Upon request, it is also possible to study abroad for one semester. Although the master’s programme does not include a dedicated Erasmus semester, it still offers many possibilities for international experience. These include a semester abroad with individual modules that can be taken, a professional or research internship, and the option to write the master’s thesis overseas. If you are interested, our team is happy to advise you and help organise the appropriate stay abroad.

Erasmus