Agricultural Sciences and Resource Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ARTS)

Agricultural production uses natural resources in diverse ways. These resources show complex interactions and are sensitive to human activities and interventions. Their appropriate management requires skilled individuals with both the necessary biophysical and socioeconomic background knowledge. The ARTS programme is designed as a research-oriented, multidisciplinary approach to expand students' overall background in the basic and applied management of natural resources for agricultural development and research in (sub)tropical environments. Graduates are equipped with skills and tools to recognise and solve problems related to (sub)tropical resource management, thus making them effective leaders for agricultural development, preparing them for agricultural and environmental research and development positions, and providing an entry qualification for PhD programmes. Cooperation with development organisations in Bonn and with universities and research institutions in over 40 countries allow students to develop a holistic, cross-disciplinary understanding of natural resources in agricultural contexts and opens opportunities for internships and employment. The ARTS programme extends over 24 months and is structured into compulsory and optional modules, following the European Credit Transfer System. The international organisations located in Bonn offer opportunities for internships to registered ARTS students, and representatives contribute to lectures and seminars. The first semester serves to broaden students' knowledge by providing an overview of the structure and use of resources in (sub)tropical agriculture. Interdisciplinary lectures and seminars focus on resource interactions in relation to the social, economic and political context and are supplemented by practical exercises and diverse sociocultural activities. In the second semester, students intensify their knowledge by choosing at least five modules from a catalogue of 20 elective modules. The third study semester, under the theme “from knowledge to action”, prepares students to translate research questions into activities and projects. Activities comprise seminars and exercises on scientific communication, research planning and project management. The last study semester is devoted to the thesis research, including the elaboration and presentation of a thesis proposal, the collection of experimental data at the (sub)tropical field research site, and the writing and defence of the thesis. One highlight is the joint visit of a conference on agriculture in the tropics, where students can present their own research results to a scientific audience and build a personal network. Fulfilling the requirements for the Master of Science degree includes passing the predetermined number of 120 credits in the form of courses, seminars, and the thesis.