Institute of Natural Resource Sciences

«Forward-looking urban and countryside development involves weighing up different ecological, social and economic interests.»
The Institute for Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR) is committed to the sustainable use of natural resources and intact habitats for humans, animals and plants. We train aspiring environmental engineers, offer a wide range of continuing education programmes and carry out applied research and development. As pioneers in the development of sustainable solutions, our work is interdisciplinary, science-based and relates to current, socially relevant issues. Our thematic focus is the interfaces between society, the environment and technology.
Sustainability report of the Institute (short version, in German only) (PDF 726,8 KB)
Study
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Natural Resource Sciences
Our BSc course draws on topics from both the natural sciences and other disciplines such as engineering, social sciences and economics. Students can choose between five different specialisations: organic farming and horticulture, landscape/education/tourism, renewable raw materials and energies, nature management and urban ecosystems.
Master of Science (MSc) in Environment and Natural Resources
The new Master programme Environment and Natural Resources combines natural and social sciences with technological competencies and therefore imparts the interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary abilities to deal with complex environmental questions.
Continuing education
The Institute of Natural Resource Sciences offers a wide range of further education courses for professionals and enthusiasts:
Research and services
The IUNR conducts research in three research centres, Ecological Engineering, Ecosystems and Biodiversity, and Environmental and Agrofood Systems, which are comprised of a total of 22 research groups. The focus of our research is the development of sustainable solutions at the interfaces between society, environment and technology. In collaboration with our partners from private and public companies, we work on applied research and development projects and also offer various services. This active participation in national and European research programmes creates synergies between the various parties involved.
Centre for Ecological Engineering
In the Centre for Ecological Engineering the following groups are researching:
Centre for Ecosystems and Biodiversity
In the Research Unit Integrative Ecology the following groups are researching:
In the Research Unit Urban Ecosystems the following groups are researching:
- Green Space Development
- Grün und Gesundheit
- Pflanzenverwendung
- Urban Ecology
Centre for Environmental and Agrofoodsystems
In the Research Unit Organic Agriculture the following groups are researching:
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology
- Horticulture
- Phytomedicine
In the Research Unit Sustainability Transformation the following groups are researching:
- Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Geography of Food
- Regional Development
- Sustainability Communication / Environmental Education
The Research Unit Tourism and Sustainable Development operates as a branch campus of IUNR at the Center da Capricorns in Wergenstein.
News / Events
News and Events (mainly in German )
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Grüental Gardens
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Past projects
Visit our unique gardens, housing over 4000 different plant species.
Our magazine will give you an insight into studying and researching at IUNR.
Read about some of our most interesting research projects.