Environmental Pollution Management – Ecotoxicology RPTU University Kaiserslautern-Landau

Courses are held in English and it is possible to complete the entire programme in English.

However, we recommend that foreign students acquire German language proficiency, as some additional expanding modules are taught in German, and basic German knowledge facilitates everyday life.

Enrolled students can attend our free German courses.

The "Master of Science in Environmental Pollution Management (Ecotoxicology)" at the Landau campus of the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau is an interdisciplinary programme, combining concepts of environmental chemistry, toxicology, and ecology as well as social sciences and environmental economics.

Ecotoxicology studies the effects of chemicals on the environment, develops concepts for risk management, and predicts ecological consequences. The Master's programme imparts profound subject-specific knowledge and competences in the fields of principles and methods of ecotoxicology and environmental analysis. It teaches regulatory background as well as monitoring, statistics, modelling, assessment and management in ecotoxicology. In addition, the course provides an insight into neighbouring fields of science and thus promotes an interdisciplinary perception and the development of integrative approaches. As environmental problems reach far beyond national borders, an international approach is necessary and the situation in developing countries needs special attention.

In the end, graduates are able to work independently on ecotoxicological problems and become competent in the analysis and interpretation of such problems. Furthermore, the programme enables graduates to present results to international professional audiences, promotes independent scientific work and systematic thinking and prepares graduates for many employment opportunities in an emerging field of science with excellent career perspectives, e.g. in scientific facilities and research institutes, authorities and ministries, and industry and consulting enterprises.

Each year, the programme starts in the winter semester. At the beginning of October, a two-week period is used for onboarding international students and familiarising them with the university, city, and culture. Afterwards, the lecture period starts around the mid-October.

• EU applicants:
  15 July for the winter semester
• Non-EU applicants:
  15 June for the winter semester
• Due to the long visa process, we strongly recommend non-EU students to apply by 15 May.

The Master's programme comprises four semesters of full-time study with a total of 120 ECTS.
The programme consists of nine compulsory modules to obtain a deep knowledge in the field of Ecotoxicology (56 ECTS). Furthermore, two optional modules (12 ECTS) out of four fields, i.e.,

• Applied Environmental Chemistry
• Applied Ecology
• Geoecology
• Socioeconomics and Environmental Management

offer additional insights into the neighbouring fields of science.

An Applied Module at External Organisations (10 ECTS), an eight-week internship at an external research institute or industry partner in Germany or abroad, provides practical work experience in the second semester. The third semester is characterised by its focus on a Research Project Course (12 ECTS), in which students participate in a project under guidance of university staff for ten weeks. Finally, the degree is to be completed in the fourth semester with a six-month Master's thesis (30 ECTS).

The programme offers a diverse range of international elements in the curriculum. Students are supported and encouraged to conduct an external internship with optional ERASMUS funding, they gain access to free German language courses, they can exchange views with renowned international guest lecturers, and they can participate at international research institutes during their RPC, internship or Master's thesis. The working groups of ecotoxicology are well integrated in international research initiatives (e.g. South America, Oceania, Africa) and have close ties with former students around the globe.

The Research Project Course is a 10-week project in which students can lead their own small research initiatives either at the RPTU or with partner universities / research institutes around the globe. Finally, the Master's thesis can be conducted in students’ home countries or with international partners. Check out our blog to see where our students do field trips, internships, Master's theses or even their PhD.

An internship of eight weeks ("Applied Module at External Organisations") is to be completed during the second semester. The programme adviser and lecturers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship drawing on their international network in companies, public administrations, universities, and NGOs.

No tuition fees

Currently 150 EUR per semester

RPTU in Landau: We estimate that students require about 900 to 950 EUR per month to cover the costs of living (including housing and bills, health insurance, Internet, food, clothes, study materials, etc.). However, this depends on the individual style of living, the type of housing, etc.

https://rptu.de/international/master/prospective-students-landau/why-rptu-landau/fees-living-expenses

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences with the final grade "good" or better (2.5 on a 6.0 scale with 1.0 being the best grade; 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with 4.0 being the best grade)

or

Bachelor's degree with environmental scientific orientation at a German or foreign university with the final grade "good" or better if the study programme contains the necessary previous knowledge

or

At least six semesters of study with environmental scientific orientation at a German or foreign university with the final grade "good" or better if the study programme is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree or of higher quality and contains the necessary previous knowledge

Good active and passive English language skills are required (at least B2 level), but there is no formal English language requirement. Therefore, applicants do not need to submit an English language certificate.

• EU applicants:
  15 July for the winter semester
• Non-EU applicants:
  15 June for the winter semester
• Due to the long visa process, we strongly recommend non-EU students to apply by 15 May.

No

Student assistant jobs are available on a competitive basis at the university & its departments, at the affiliated research institutes of the Science & Innovation Alliance Kaiserslautern (including DFKI, Max Planck, Fraunhofer, etc.), or at nearby companies (John Deere, Daimler, BASF, etc.).

Excellent students have good chances of finding jobs in research projects, but these are not usually granted in advance.

International Affairs RPTU supports international students in finding student jobs and in strengthening their professional network, e.g. by organising networking dialogues with executives from science and industry.

RPTU Kaiserslautern

The majority of our students live in residence halls located on or close to campus. The "Studierendenwerk" operates several large halls of residence in Kaiserslautern. Students submit housing applications directly to the Studierendenwerk. For international Master's or PhD students, International Affairs RPTU aims to arrange accommodation in these residence halls or in private accommodation as part of the pre-arrival service. The halls of residence have modern single, double or shared apartments with kitchenette, bathroom/WC, and modern facilities as well as internet access.

• Fully-furnished: kitchenette (no plates & pots, etc.), bed & mattress (no blankets & pillows), wardrobe, shelf, table, chair (no computer) – rent: approx. 250 to 350 EUR

Since accommodation is not automatically guaranteed with admission, a request for accommodation to ISGS is advisable.

Optional: To help international students get started in Kaiserslautern, the Studierendenwerk offers a starter package. This package can be purchased for 95 EUR: https://www.studierendenwerk-kaiserslautern.de/en/housing/international.

More information: https://rptu.de/international/master/prospective-students/travel-accommodation/accommodation

RPTU Landau

Accommodation is available in student residences or on the private housing market. A certain number of rooms in student residences are reserved for incoming international Master's students who enrol at RPTU Landau. Students can contact the Welcome Center for further information with regard to the application process or a search for private housing. E-mail: international@uni-landau.de

More information: https://rptu.de/international/master/prospective-students-landau/travel-accommodation/accommodation

The Welcome Center of the International Affairs RPTU on the Landau campus supports international students through the STAIR programme, which prepares students for the German job market. The workshops convey skills and competences needed to successfully start in German (business) culture.

International Affairs RPTU supports international students during every phase of their stay!

Before your arrival: Effective pre-arrival communication helps you handle application, visa, residence permit, and housing affairs.

Once you are here: As a warm-up to your studies, we offer an orientation course which combines German language training with administrative support (finding accommodation, registration process, visa, health insurance, rental contracts, etc.) & a cultural & social component including individual guidance in the first days, a campus & city tour, excursions, info sessions, social events, a welcome party, etc.

During your stay: We provide you with continuing support and accompany you on your way until graduation and entry into the German job market.

More information: https://rptu.de/en/international/home

RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau is a top-ranked German research-oriented university (first place among 146 international universities in nine categories, such as Learning, Living, Support Services, Cost in the International Student Barometer 2022). Our university offers high-quality graduate education and (post)doctoral research training in innovative high-tech fields, many of them taught in English.
Our features:

• International study environment highly connected with industry & research
• “Science & Innovation Alliance” of high-profile research institutes nearby campus, offering (student assistant) job opportunities
• Zero tuition fees & low cost of living
• “University of Teaching Excellence" award for outstanding student-teacher ratio & efficient support structure for international students, including visa support
• Safe, modern & healthy study environment surrounded by beautiful nature
• 25 international graduate programmes (with more than 40 specialisations)

RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau offers over 150 study courses in the following 16 departments:

• Architecture
• Biology
• Business Studies & Economics
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Cultural & Social Sciences (Landau)
• Educational Sciences (Landau)
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical & Process Engineering
• Natural & Environmental Sciences (Landau)
• Physics
• Psychology (Landau)
• Spatial & Environmental Planning
• Social Sciences

By virtue of its internationally renowned faculties and their top-ranked international study programmes, RPTU attracts students from all over the world. Our extraordinarily high ratio of postgraduate and doctoral students underlines the university's focus on research, Master's studies, and doctoral research training.

With a current enrolment of approx. 17,000 students, amongst them 18.5% international students (and 27.9% international students at RPTU in Kaiserslautern), the university has a manageable size and therefore ensures excellent guidance and close contact with professors. Thus, the university offers an outstanding support ratio of students per lecturer, e.g. three students per lecturer in the Department of Physics (national average: 12).

International Affairs RPTU has profound experience with international students and supports them in every phase of their studies or research. Besides effective pre-arrival communication, administrative support, and social services, International Affairs RPTU offers professional training for PhD students and postgraduates as well as qualified career counselling. Helping international students feel at home in a new (academic) culture at RPTU is of major importance within our service portfolio for incoming international students.

More information on why to choose RPTU:
https://rptu.de/fileadmin/isgs/pdf/07_Flyer_und_Broschueren/Why_RPTU.pdf 
https://rptu.de/en/international/master/prospective-students 
https://rptu.de/en/international/master/prospective-students-landau

Landau – Mediterranean flair

More than 48,000 people plus around 7,000 students live in the southern Palatine city between the Rhine River plains and the Palatinate Forest. The region, shaped by viticulture, is also called the "German Tuscany" because of its mild climate with 1,800 hours of sunshine per year.

The Palatinate Forest, the largest forest in Central Europe and part of a transborder biosphere reserve with France, provides excellent possibilities for outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing or mountain biking. It is a paradise for nature lovers. Larger cities like Heidelberg or Frankfurt are within easy reach, and France is only 20 km away.