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 exercises conducted in R and QGIS. 

Please contact Dr. Clara Kopp email: cl.kopp(at)tum.de for details about this module.

 

Grassland Agroecosystems and their Sustainable Management (LS10053)

The module (5 credits) covers biogeochemical processes, plant-soil-animal interactions, and the impact of global change on grasslands. Students will learn about sustainable management strategies, ecosystem services, nutrient cycling, carbon dynamics, and current research topics in grasslands. By the end of the module, they will be able to develop sustainable management strategies, critically discuss sustainability issues, and conceptualize scientific studies in grassland research. The format includes lectures and seminars involving practical tasks, analysis, and discussions.

Please contact Dr. Clara Kopp email: cl.kopp(at)tum.de for details about this module.

 

Research Project in Agrosystems (WZ0031)

In this practical module, students work rather independently (240 hours, 6+2 credits) to be introduced to the theory and principles of the research in Agrosystems. The project prepares students for acquiring skills to analyse complex datasets required to answer research questions relevant to livestock systems. The tasks include conducting a literature review that assists with theoretical framing, problem definition, and planning. This knowledge is then used to apply theory in the practical course, aiming to to develop largely independently a research topic. Finally, the students are expected to assess the overall process and communicate findings, gaps and shortcoming encountered during the implementation of the project. The examination is a report that describes the steps and findings obtained in the research project implemented.

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.

 

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.