Overview

Environmental technology, environmental protection

Programs in environmental technology and protection address, among other things, how resources can be conserved and how damage to the environment can be prevented or repaired.

The study field at a glance

Waste disposal, air pollution control, water conservation and a sustainable manufacturing industry are examples of the areas in which graduates of this field of study can later work for the environment. Environmental study content is found in many programs, e.g. in mechanical engineering, in chemistry, physics, agricultural sciences, but also in economics or social sciences and law. The foundations for this applied field of study are provided by the natural sciences.

Offered courses

Courses in environmental technology and environmental protection can be divided into two main directions:

  • Engineering-technical orientation: In the area of environmental protection technology, knowledge from the engineering sciences, for example from mechanical engineering, process engineering or civil engineering, as well as from the natural sciences is used to develop environmental engineering systems. Independent degree courses are dedicated to human habitats, renewable raw materials, soil protection, air pollution control, disposal technology, recycling technology, water and wastewater technology or the waste management industry.
  • Planned design: Here scientific, socioeconomic and creative fields come together. Examples of this are the degree courses in land management, landscape use and nature conservation, regional development and nature conservation, landscape ecology or landscape architecture.
    Subject-specific specialization can already take place during the last semesters of the bachelor's program, but is particularly the aim of the master's program.

Contents of the course

The study content ranges from scientific subjects such as mathematics, biology, physics and chemistry and technical subjects such as mechanics, design, energy technology and process engineering to economics and law and social sciences.

Possible careers after graduation

Graduates of environmental education programs can take different career paths depending on their field of specialization:

Environmental engineers develop greener production processes, inspect facilities and facilities for compliance with environmental regulations, and create environmental records. Among them, there are again specialists, such as engineers for waste and disposal technology. They construct, sell and maintain plants for recycling, water and wastewater supply, waste disposal etc.

Engineers in this field work primarily with companies of different industries, which have a special environmental relevance, e.g. in the energy industry, chemical industry, paper industry, Galvano industry, building material industry as well as waste management. In addition, they work for public authorities, e.g. at municipal environmental authorities, supply and disposal companies, trade supervisory offices or district, provincial and federal authorities, ministries as well as for analytical, advisory and expert activities also in consulting and engineering offices.

Landscape Ecology and Conservation engineers design environmentally friendly land use for agriculture and forestry. In particular, they find employment as planners in engineering and architecture firms, as public sector appraisers, e.g. at environmental offices as well as agricultural, forestry and water management authorities, or in the field of environmental education, e.g. in associations, in the management of protected areas or at universities.