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School of Life Sciences
and Facility Management

Focus topic food

As a school, a major aspect of our teaching and research focusses our teaching and research on the three areas of “Food”, “Health” and “Environment”. We are committed to solving social challenges and improving the quality of life (“Society”).

In the broad topic area of “Food”, we are concerned, among other things, with the question of how we can succeed - in view of the limited resources of our planet - in feeding future generations in a sustainable and regenerative way.

At the new “Future of Food” campus in Wädenswil near Zurich, we are committed to a future in which a sustainable, enjoyable and healthy diet is possible for everyone.

Our motto: “Regenerative Food for Planetary Health”

  • Researchers, employees and students work together with us on solutions to meet the challenges of climate change, the growing world population and the limited natural resources of our planet.

In line with this, we offer two Bachelor's degree programmes, various Master's degree programmes and continuing education courses that shed light on this important topic from different perspectives. The unique combination of our institutes enriches our research with valuable synergies.

The basis

Bachelor's degree programme "Food Technology"

The Food Technology (BSc) degree programme provides an introduction to the fascinating world of nutrition. The degree programme, which can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, provides all the background information needed to develop healthy, enjoyable, safe and sustainable food. The course content covers product development, food production, quality management, food marketing, nutritional science, sustainability, digitalisation, automation and business management. The programme focuses on topics such as food safety and quality, management and sustainability, processing and automation as well as consumer science and nutrition.

The Food Technology degree programme provides students with all the skills they need to work as an engineer, manager or entrepreneur in the food sector after graduation - regionally, nationally or internationally.

Bachelor's degree programme "Natural Resource Sciences with Specialisation in Organic Agriculture and Horticulture"

The specialization Organic Agriculture and Horticulture in the BSc Natural Resource Sciences focuses on solutions for ecological, animal-friendly and climate-friendly agriculture. In this specialization, students acquire knowledge of organic forms of land use for the development of regenerative and productive agriculture. Important topics include soil fertility, plant cultivation and animal husbandry, regenerative agricultural systems and urban food systems. Graduates of this specialization plan regenerative agricultural systems with the aim of sustainable food production and the promotion of biodiversity. They are able to shape change processes towards sustainability, develop sustainable products and services and assess the possibilities for the production of plant-based food in cities.

Three food-related Master's degree programmes

Would you like to specialise in even more food? Then a total of three practical Master's degree programmes with a focus on food offer further specialisation options. Depending on your personal interests, you can choose to specialise in "Innovation", "Entrepreneurship" or "Agricultural Economics". 

Master's programme "Life Sciences with specialisation in Food & Beverage Innovation"

The MSc in Life Sciences with a specialisation in Food and Beverage Innovation focuses on innovations in the food and beverage industry. The content focuses on product, process and service development, food science, market analysis and consumer behaviour.

After completing this Master's programme, you will be able to develop new and innovative products and processes - always with sustainability in mind - from the extraction of raw materials to the delivery of the finished product. This Master's programme offers excellent prerequisites for a career as a manager.

Master's programme in "Preneurship for Regenerative Food Systems"

The MSc in Entrepreneurship for Regenerative Food Systems is specifically focussed on entrepreneurship in the context of creating regenerative food systems. It addresses the complex challenges of value networks in the food sector with an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses environmental, economic and social issues. 

After completing this Master's degree programme, you will be able to independently develop and implement innovative business models for regenerative food systems. The programme is aimed at anyone who wants to take responsibility for transformation in food companies ("Intrapreneurship"), found their own start-up ("Entrepreneurship") or drive social change in the food sector ("Commonpreneurship"). 

Master's degree programme "Environment and Natural Resources with a focus on Agroecology and Food Systems"

The MSc Environment and Natural Resources with a focus on agroecology and food systems offers a slightly different perspective on the topic of "food". Students on this degree programme conduct research on topics such as regenerative agriculture, vertical farming and the protein revolution, developing solutions for greater sustainability from "field to fork". In this way, they contribute to the fundamental agroecological transformation of food systems.

With the various research groups at the Institute of Environment and Natural Resources and thanks to the collaboration with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), students can choose from a wide range of topics for individual orientation and specialisation of the degree programme. After graduating, you will shape social development towards greater sustainability - for example as a project manager, sustainability officer or consultant.