BOKU (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna)

Das Gebäude der Universität für Bodenkultur (BOKU) in Wien von Außen betrachtet © BOKU
Das Gebäude der Universität für Bodenkultur

The University of Natural Resources and Life number Sciences, Vienna – known also by its acronym "BOKU" – was initially founded as a university of agriculture and forestry in 1872. Nowadays it covers a unique scientific spectrum – ranging from agrarian issues to biotechnological research. Deriving from its mantra – to be a "University of Life and Sustainability" – BOKU aims to take on a societal and political responsibility. Research and teaching is characterised by its holistic approach to dealing with societal challenges in the fields of protecting habitat and quality of life, managing natural resources and the environment and protecting food and health. BOKU enjoys an outstanding reputation and offers an exceptional environment: It has always been a place of encounter for different fields of science, research topics, opinions, attitudes, people and nationalities; openness and diversity characterise everyday life at this university.

Faculties and programmes

Water, Atmosphere and Environment | Bionanosciences | Chemistry | Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research | Food Sciences and Technology | Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructural Sciences | Economics and Social Sciences |Sustainable Agricultural Systems | Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards | Forest and Soil Sciences | Crop Sciences | Agrobiotechnology (IFA Tulln) | Applied Genetics and Cell Biology | Material Sciences and Process Engineering | Biotechnology

BOKU offers seven bachelor's and 35 master's programmes as well as 12 doctoral programmes.

Specials

BOKU – the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna supports the concept of a European and global bio-economy 2030, addressing the grand societal challenges: sustainable management of natural resources, sustainable production, improving public health, mitigating climate change, integrating and balancing social developments and global sustainable development. The Centre for Development Research is dedicated to the transfer of know-how and technology for sustainable development in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

An integral part of the BOKU is the Vienna Institute of Bio Technology; it is home to those institutes that deal directly or indirectly with this future key technology. BOKU offers programmes on bachelor, master and doctoral level, providing sound academic and practice oriented education. Half of the master's programmes are offered in English, more than a third in collaboration with international partner universities. All study programmes share a strong interdisciplinary character, based on natural sciences and engineering as well as social sciences and economics. Thus, BOKU graduates are highly employable in research, non profit management and economy.