Modules
Summer term 2025
Our chair coordinates and delivers three modules . See descriptions below. Please register via TUM online, and contact the chair (office.lsys@tum.de) if you need additional information.
Livestock-plant-soil Interactions & Nutrient cycling (LS10032)
This module (10 credits) is designed to develop laboratory and field experimentation skills, and students should be able to:
- Define a researchable topic applying a pragmatic experimental research methodology specific to livestock-based agricultural systems,
- Conduct experiments compently in the field and/or the lab using specialised equipment, and applying rigorous scientific methods,
- Integrate theory, research data and analyses to test hypotheses relevant to livestock systems,
- Communicate effectively research findings in formats appropriate for an academic audience.
The module requires 300 hours of rather independent and dedicated work, for example 6-8 weeks of intense lab and/or field experimentation, data analysis and reflection. The results are presented to receive feedback and a report of 5000 words in graded to reinforce the learning.
Please contact prof. Mariana Rufino, email: mariana.rufino(at)tum.de to discuss potential projects for the ws24-25. A list of tentative projects can be found here.
Data science for agricultural systems analysis (LS10039)
The Data Science for Agricultural Systems module (5 credits) focuses on theoretical and practical aspects of data science in the context of agricultural and livestock systems, particularly environmental and productivity analyses. Emphasis is on applied, analytic, and exploratory aspects of data science; underlying statistical concepts are only briefly summarized. Students will learn and apply data science concepts using sample datasets of field and survey experiments, demonstrating understanding through a project report conducted in R and (optionally) QGIS.
Please contact Dr. Clara Kopp email: cl.kopp(at)tum.de for details about this module.
Grassland Agroecosystems and their Sustainable Management (LS10053)
Please contact Dr. Clara Kopp email: cl.kopp(at)tum.de for details about this module.
BSc and MSc theses topics
The chair welcome students to develop thesis projects in the following areas:
1. Restoration of degraded tropical grassland ecosystems.
2. Reducing the carbon footprint of dairy through landscape management with trees.
3. The future of dairy in Alpine grassland ecosystems.
4. Grazing, carbon and biodiversity in the Alps.
5. The carbon balance of the Argentinean Pampas' grasslands.
6. Use of digital technology to increase the resilience of livestock systems.
7. Modelling land use transitions in East Africa and the impact of livestock.
8. Harnessing plant diversity to restore degraded grasslands.