About the Program

The master’s program International Material Flow Management (IMAT) consists of multidisciplinary courses, engaging seminars, and interactive excursions to prepare students on becoming young professionals in the fields of sustainable development and “Green Business.” 

 

What is Material Flow Management?

Material Flow Management (MFM) applies a holistic approach to solving environmental issues. MFM emphasizes the integration of business strategies, project development, and technology management. The aims are to identify and analyze inefficiencies then formulate solutions for a system. The result is that the system wastes less, saves more while reducing environmental impacts.

 

During the IMAT program, students will apply concepts such as: Circular Economy, E-Mobility, Carbon Trading, Zero-Emission, along with several other terms relating to environmental management. Students learn to convert the concepts into practical business strategies. International best practice examples and case studies from various fields in MFM serve as guided teaching tools throughout the program.

 

What can I expect from the IMAT program?

The IMAT program aims to engage students with hands-on project development, fostering of eco-entrepreneurial business ideas, and cooperation with small-medium sized enterprises. Above all, the IMAT program has produced successful graduates in several environmental fields while giving students everlasting experiences, memories, networking, and friendships.

 

IMAT Program students will fulfill the following criteria among several other modules:

 

• Theory and practice of International Material Flow Management (MFM).
• Better understanding of eco-system management and economic aspects of environmental protection.
• Systemic understanding of various clean technologies and technology management.
• Knowledge on intercultural communication, networking, project management, financing, and fundraising.
• Knowledge on business culture in Germany and partner countries.
• International case studies and practical project experience.
• Graduation thesis about practical issues with professional guidance at international companies or research institutes.

The two-year program (4 semesters) is taught and conducted in English. Foreign language and content-rich selective courses are also offered:  

• German-Japanese Dual Master Degree (MEng.)
• German-Turkish Dual Master Degree (MEng.)
• German Master Degree (MSc.)
• German-Brazilian Dual Master Degree (MEng.)

The IMAT Programs are under the patronage of the German Federal Minister of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

The dual degree programs are supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the program “German Studies Abroad”.

The Master’s programs accept students every Fall semester and are organised on a full-time basis.

In the Dual Programs, the first year takes place in the host university outside Germany and the course modality is based on 1 or 2 week-long courses lectured by international experts and IfaS professors.

The first year (Semester 1 and 2) will be taught, depending on the program, at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan, Akdeniz University in Turkey or at Universidade Positivo in Brazil. (For students participating in the IMAT Master of Science Program, the first year will be taught at the Environmental-Campus Birkenfeld in Germany.)

Semester 3 will be taught at the Environmental-Campus Birkenfeld in Germany in the second year. Within the third semester students will have the opportunity to work at an internship in best practice applications (theoretical and internship).

The fourth semester will be master thesis work and internship period. Students may carry out their internships and thesis writing anywhere in the world.