Planetary Health

The master’s degree program in Planetary Health investigates how changes in the environment interact with human health and social dynamics. It is based on the realization that global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and food security are closely intertwined and can often only be understood from an inter- and/or transdisciplinary perspective. The program draws on the natural sciences, medicine, social sciences and economics to consider the concept of “planetary health” and hones students’ methodological knowledge in the fields of quantitative and qualitative empiricism and modeling and in planning and evaluating processes of transformation. Three specializations—Environmental Health, Human Health and Societal Health—allow students to explore certain topics in greater depth while also forging links with other disciplines. Project work and program content with practical relevance will encourage them to apply their scientific findings to the worlds of politics, the economy and society. The overall aim is to gain a systematic understanding of complex planetary health questions and develop scientifically sound solutions for a sustainable transformation.

Possible lines of work:
Agriculture and food, bioeconomy, healthcare and public health, environmental and nature conservation organizations, geography and spatial development, international cooperation and development organizations, science and research, sustainability and environmental consulting, politics and public administration, civil society organizations