Geosciences and Technology

Geosciences are devoted to our planet Earth, its formation and the rocks that occur, whereas Geotechnology makes geological resources usable.

The study field at a glance

The term geosciences combines several courses of study. They all deal with the aspects of the Earth system - soil, rocks, water and the atmosphere, and how they affect each other. The field is strongly research-oriented and interdisciplinary, for example, it has points of contact with environmental protection or environmental science. Geotechnology is at the interface with engineering.

Geoscientists are sought-after experts in raw material extraction, environmental protection, waste storage and urban and regional planning. In the latter area, there are overlaps with subjects such as civil engineering or urban and regional planning.

Offered courses

The courses "around Geo" include the following offers:

Earth sciences investigate the layers of earth, the waters and the atmosphere as well as their interactions with each other. Furthermore, biological factors are considered.
Geography also deals with the relationship between soil, water and air, but at the same time incorporates social and economic aspects. In addition, physical geography considers the spatial structure as well as the change of the earth's surface.
The focus in geology or mineralogy lies on the earth's crust. For example, students learn how minerals and rocks form. Practical research in the form of field or laboratory work plays a major role in this course of studies.
An application-specific geology specialization is geotechnology, also known as georesource management, mining, mine-surveying and resource engineering. It deals with using resources such as geothermal energy, water, minerals or fossil fuels (sustainably).
Geoecology combines the natural and the environmental sciences. Environmental systems as well as the influence of humans on them are considered.
From a physical point of view, the field of geophysics looks at the natural phenomena of the earth, for example earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or deposits of raw materials.
Meteorology deals with the physical and chemical processes of the atmosphere. The findings of this field are used for weather forecasts or in climate research.
Hydrology or water technology observes where and how water occurs on our planet, how it moves, what its influence on resources is and what its physical, chemical and biological properties are.
A separate field is formed by geoinformation or surveying). Data from the earth are collected and evaluated in order to use them, for example, for maps or navigation systems.

Contents of the course

In all courses of study in this area, basic studies (Bachelor) are followed by basic geoscientific education with modules in physics, biology, chemistry and mathematics. These include in the degree program Geosciences, among others, the earth, mineralogical and petrological knowledge, geoinformatics, geochemistry, sedimentology, tectonics, paleontology and geology, hydrogeology and geophysics.

In the specialization study (Master), depending on the course of study, a different emphasis is placed:

In the degree program Geosciences there are modules in areas such as astrophysics, geochemistry, geoinformatics, geology, geophysics, hydrogeology / environmental geology, engineering geology / geotechnics, mineralogy, petrology / reservoir research or paleontology.
The geoecology program focuses on landscape ecology, soil science, hydrology, mineralogy / geochemistry and bio / geoinformatics.
There is a practical immersion in geotechnical engineering. In addition, there are the sub-areas of geotechnical engineering such as sampling, calculation methods, soil and rock mechanics, drilling technology, special foundation engineering.
The meteorology degree course covers modules in theoretical, experimental and applied meteorology including climatology, with experimental and numerical internships and a multidisciplinary elective area.
There are various opportunities for specialization in geography, e.g. anthropogeography, physical geography or regional analysis.

Admission criteria & study application

The geoscientific Bachelor programs are usually open for admission.

Possible careers after graduation

Geoscientists mostly find employment in the consulting field as experts. For example, geological consulting companies, engineering and planning offices for the environmental sector (e.g. contaminated site management, remediation of soil, groundwater or subsoil) require geoscientific expertise. Furthermore, there are job opportunities in the civil service, in particular at geological regional offices, at the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, in the Geoinformation Service of the Bundeswehr, at local authorities (municipalities, administrative districts) as well as at mining offices of the Länder or at universities and non-university research institutions.

Furthermore, employment opportunities exist for manufacturers of geoscientific measuring equipment, in the construction industry as well as for software manufacturers. For companies looking for raw materials (prospecting companies), geoscientists have very limited job opportunities.

Mineralogists also find work in factories involved in the development, manufacture and practical use of new materials, e.g. high-performance materials, surfaces and coatings, mineral building materials and binders, with the environmentally sound treatment and disposal of mineral residues or with the renovation of cultural heritage.

Meteorologists mainly work in climate and environmental research in university institutes, research institutes and national and international meteorological services; also in engineering and industrial companies as a consultant or environmental protection officer or insurance in the risk assessment. In the geoinformation service of the Bundeswehr meteorologists are also appointed for weather consulting or in the field of research and development (for example, used by predictive models).

Fields of activity for geographers are predominantly in the private sector, such as aerial and remote sensing companies, in specialized publishers, in the real estate industry, in the location planning of larger companies, in the tourism industry, in consulting and consulting companies, energy supply companies or environmental protection organizations. Fields of activity also arise in public administration (statistical offices, municipal and special purpose associations, regional planning and environmental protection offices), at universities, in associations, chambers and research institutions.

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Study information

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