At the end of their studies (Bachelor or Master), students should demonstrate and improve their ability to work on a current, scientific or practice-oriented research topic by writing a final thesis.
Content of the final thesis at our chair
We supervise Bachelor's and Master's theses in the chair's teaching and research topics. You will work on current scientific issues relating to the circular economy, bioeconomy, sustainability assessment, or quantitative methods for decision support in accordance with the examination regulations applicable to you.
Practice-oriented work in these areas, for example in cooperation with companies or non-university research institutions, is also possible in principle. The prerequisites for this are a thematic reference to the teaching and research topics of the chair, an appropriate core, and the fulfillment of the requirements of a scientific thesis as well as existing supervision capacities. Please note that you cannot submit a purely practical topic, e.g. a business plan or the calculation of a carbon footprint, as a thesis.
Requirements
We expect you to be interested and motivated in the topic you are working on. The topics are based on the topics covered in our teaching programs. Accordingly, you should have attended the relevant modules of our chair with above-average success. Depending on the topic, we also require in-depth elective courses.
Procedure
Please read the descriptions of the available topics on our website. If you think one of the topics fits your interests and study program, please contact us via our application form (see below).
If you intend to work on a topic of your own choice, please check the research interests of our team members for a potential advisor and apply with your proposal.
We will then get back to you as soon as possible and arrange an appointment for further discussion. Please note that we will first coordinate this with the chair; it may, therefore, take some time to get back to you.
Application
To apply for a thesis, please use our application form via the following link. Applications sent by other means, e.g. by e-mail, cannot be considered. After you have submitted your application, we will contact you as soon as possible.
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Duration
Bachelor thesis
3 months
Master thesis
6 months
Currently available topics
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Bachelor’s thesis: CO2 footprint optimization with re-refinates – requirements, added value and effects for industrial companies (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Comparison of the Sustainability Impacts of the Straubing Bring-in-Packaging Waste system vs. the Yellow Bin Approach. (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Circular Carbon Economy (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Assessing Carbon Capture and Utilisation Technologies (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Comparative Assessment of Chemical Recycling Technologies (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Assessing Micro-algae-based Chemicals Production (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Potentials and limits of Bio-Naphta Production (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis: Circular Economy and Growth (f/m/d)
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Master’s thesis:
Bavaria’s bioeconomy strategy aims to transition from fossil-based to bio-based economic practices. As part of this effort, a collaborative project has been launched to develop a scientifically grounded Bavarian Biomass Resource Strategy (BioReSt). The objective is to collect data on biomass flows in Bavaria and develop economically and ecologically viable approaches for their provision, utilization, and circular management. The Chair of Circular Economy focuses specifically on organic waste streams, employing methodologies such as material flow analysis (MFA), potential analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), and strategy development.
Research Tasks
Building upon the prior work conducted within the project, the student will contribute to ongoing research efforts by:
· Conducting a literature search on higher-value circular economy production processes and innovative use cases.
· Conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate environmental impacts.
· Performing a comparative analysis of current vs. future utilization pathways for biogenic waste (e.g., composting, energetic recovery, pyrolysis, gasification).
Requirements
· Background in environmental sciences, sustainability, industrial ecology, or a related field.
· Familiarity with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Material Flow Analysis (MFA).
· Experience with LCA software (e.g., Brightway, Activity Browser) is an advantage.
· Student of Campus Straubing; TUM School of Life Sciences or Management.
