Environmental Technologies

    Become an expert in Environmental Technologies

    Key data

    Degree
    Master of Science in Life Sciences
    Studying type
    Double-Degree with foreign University optional
    ECTS points
    90
    Studying mode
    Full-time and part-time
    School days
    Monday to Friday
    Teaching language
    English
    Place
    Muttenz (Basel-Land)
    Stay abroad
    optional
    Application fee
    CHF 200

    The deadline for applications for the autumn semester is 30 April of the relevant year and 30 November for the spring semester.

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    Environmental Technologies – Career Opportunities
    The specialization in Environmental Technology provides extensive knowledge for environmental specialists in industry and for environmental engineers in consulting and technology development firms. The climatic change, rising resources demand and increasing diffusion of new pollutants requires specialists in environmental technology and circular economy by global leading industrial companies.

    Environmental Technologies – Curriculum
    Students are taught environmental risk assessment, where the fate and effects of environmental pollutants are addressed. Two modules address technologies and concepts for water resource protection: enhanced water and wastewater treatment, and the management of water resources for industry, agriculture and households. A special focus is sustainable industrial production processes, which are covered in three modules: one deals with economic and environmental aspects of sustainable production and the concept of the circular economy. The second looks at mass flow analysis and resource recovery, while the third discusses environmental process technologies to minimize pollution from industrial production sites. Two further modules complete this analysis of how to minimize the negative impact of pollutants in soil, water and air: waste management and technology, including resource recovery; and environmental remediation which highlights physicochemical and biological technologies to remediate contaminated sites.
    Students are taught in lectures and seminars; they also profit from practical training and exercises on ideal infrastructure in our research labs, as well as from several environmental pilot plants in our new Process Technology Centre.
    Further modules can be chosen from related specializations, in particular Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry and Biotechnology. The broad range of specialist and generic modules allows each student to create an individually tailored study programme.
    Students may also take an extra semester at a foreign partner university allowing them to gain an additional degree.
    The MSc concludes with an eight month thesis, usually conducted on site at one of the industrial partners in our network. Alternatively, the thesis can be carried out at any university world-wide which meets our standards. The thesis forms the basis for successful employment in industry, an engineering firm, or in academia.
    The combination of two semesters of study with the practical experience gained during the thesis qualify our alumni for stimulating and demanding positions in industry or for doctoral studies.

    Environmental Technologies – Entry Requirements
    The MSc in Life Sciences – Environmental Technologies is especially suited for students with a BSc degree in Environmental Technology, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology or related fields.

    Details of the Master's programme

    Modul Groups for Environmental Technologies

    Module Group Environmental Technologies (6 out of 7 required)

    • Process Technology for Industrial Pollution control
    • Environmental Risk Assessment
    • Remediation
    • Water and Wastewater Treatment
    • Resources Recovery from Wastewater
    • Costs and Benefits of Sustainable Production
    • Solid Waste Management

    Module Group Electives (3 out of 5 required)

    • Life Cycle Assessment
    • Green Chemistry
    • Sustainable Natural Ressource Management
    • Water Management in Households, Industry and Agriculture
    • Chemistry and Energy

    Module Group Core Competences (4 out of 8 required)

    • Handling and Visualizing data
    • Design and Analysis of Experiments
    • Modelling and Exploration of Multivariate Data
    • Data and Ethics
    • Business Administration for Life Sciences
    • Management and Leadership for Life Sciences
    • Innovation and Project Management
    • Politics and Society

    N.B. In total 50 ECTS (meaning 17 modules a 3 ECTS) have to be gained. Further modules can be chosen: Module Overview
    You may also plan your studies in advance with our MSc Life Sciences planning tool.

    Double Degree with the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague and the University of Bologna

    Selected students from our Master's programme can earn a double degree by completing an additional semester at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague or the University of Bologna. They will receive two titles: MSc in Life Sciences FHNW and MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Engineering UCT Prague or Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria per l' Ambiente e il Territorio by the University of Bologna. 

    More information on Double Degree.

    Admission

    Graduates with an excellent Bachelor's degree are admitted directly if they:

    • hold a Bachelor's degree in a related technical field from a university of applied sciences with a mark of A, B or ≥ 5 or an equivalent mark (≥ good)
    • or demonstrate an equivalent background (BSc) and practical experience
    • and have excellent English skills.

    Prospective students who meet most but not all of the entry requirements are invited to an interview.

    Study guide

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    FHNW School of Life Sciences

    FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
    School of Life Sciences

    Hofackerstrasse 30

    CH - 4132 Muttenz