What is it all about?

The Applied Environmental Informatics and Earth Observation program is about describing, understanding and analyzing the complex interactions between humans, nature and technology in an interdisciplinary way. Applied Environmental Informatics acts as a bridge between different disciplines from the fields of geosciences and environmental sciences. During your studies, you will learn methods from applied computer science, measurement methods from the geosciences, geodesy and remote sensing, for example. At the same time, you will learn the basics of environmental sciences.

Important aspects of environmental informatics therefore include, for example

• analytical and statistical evaluation of environmental data and the description of their quality characteristics
• the physical modeling of processes in the natural and built environment
• earth observation technologies (terrestrial, airborne, satellite-based)
  
• computer science methods and algorithms, including AI methods for the automated analysis of environmental data
• evaluation, discussion and visualization of results, e.g. also with augmented reality systems
  
• a sense of responsibility in the application and communication of results and decisions
  

As a basis for this, the degree program has a strong interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary focus and provides a solid, wide-ranging, subject-related education in natural sciences and engineering in the field of environmental sciences and methods of earth observation. Modern data acquisition and evaluation options - including the use of AI methods - for large amounts of data are just as much a part of the portfolio as geostatistical methods, including the spatial relationships of objects in the built and undeveloped environment. This is accompanied by the teaching of interdisciplinary skills, including the responsible and critical assessment of results and their foundations.

A good knowledge of mathematics, physical principles of the environment, interest in computer science and modern methods of data analysis as well as the willingness to work carefully are fundamental for the above-mentioned range of topics.

Program structure

During your studies, you have various subjects, which consist of one or more modules. A module deals with a specific topic and consists of one or more courses. In the module handbook for your degree program, you will find a description of the modules and their subject assignment as well as a study plan. This gives you an orientation as to which courses you should attend in which semester in order to complete your studies within the standard period of study. It takes into account a balanced distribution of courses over the individual semesters. It also ensures that you are first taught the important basics before moving on to more advanced topics. Your individual course of study may differ from this.

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad. Especially if you are interested in a longer stay abroad, it is advisable to contact the International Students Office early on.

By integrating scientific principles from the environmental sciences with earth observation measurement methods and their engineering and information science evaluation methods, the curriculum of the degree program prepares you for the requirements of the job market, e.g. for activities in:

• consulting offices and agencies in the field of environmental science planning
  

• municipal (environmental) administration
  

• public authority careers (probably from senior civil service) with an environmental focus
  

• environmental departments in large construction and industrial companies
  

Another focus of the training is the preparation for further, in-depth master's programs at KIT. The interdisciplinary approach provides you with a broadly networked specialist knowledge, which you can deepen in the following master's programs in particular:

• Geodesy and Geoinformatics M.Sc. (German)
  

• Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics M.Sc. (English)
  

• Water Science and Engineering M.Sc. (English)
  

• Applied Geosciences M.Sc. (German and English)
  

• Geoecology M.Sc. (German)
  

Characteristic features of Applied Environmental Informatics and Earth Observation B.Sc. at KIT

• interdisciplinary degree program with engineering and natural science foundations, which provides a holistic understanding of environmental processes and their observation and analysis methods
  

• pPreparation for various advanced master's degree programs
  

• individual options (so-called profiles) within the degree program
  

• high proportion of practical relevance
  

• mentoring program
  

• program-specific study abroad programs
  

• double degree with France possible in the master's program
  

• bachelor's thesis also possible in a company or at another KIT Department

• support in organizing your studies from academic advisor and the Student Advisory Service
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 24-hour library offering single and group working places
  
• wide range of inexpensive catering options (dining hall, cafeteria, Koeri and Pizzawerk)
  
• numerous interdisciplinary offers for personal and professional development, e.g. Lernlabor, Schreiblabor and Perspektivenlabor
  
• study abroad, e.g. via Erasmus
  
• excellent university sports facilities with a large selection of sports
  
• comprehensive cultural offerings with university orchestras, choirs and theater groups
  
• extensive support for career entry and self-employment
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Higher education entrance qualification (HZB)

Germans and persons of equal status to Germans (i.e. EU/EEA nationals and non-EU/EEA nationals with a German higher education entrance qualification) are entitled to study at KIT if they have one of the following qualifications:

1. General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur)
2. (relevant) subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (not Fachhochschulreife)
3. Delta examination of the University of Mannheim (for holders of a Fachhochschulreife)
4. recognized advanced vocational training (e.g. master craftsperson) or vocational training, professional experience and aptitude test for those with professional qualifications

For further options, see §58 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act).

Please note: German nationals with a foreign school-leaving qualification must have the relevant "Regierungspräsidium" (regional authority) certify that their qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur.

For non-EU/EEA nationals with a foreign school-leaving certificate (hereinafter also referred to simply as non-EU/EEA nationals), the school-leaving certificate from some countries is recognized as a direct university entrance qualification in Germany. In many cases, however, in addition to the school-leaving certificate, a university entrance examination and/or a successful year of study in the home country and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung" must be proven with valid documents in order to be allowed to study a bachelor's degree in Germany. You can find the country-specific regulations in the DAAD admissions database or on the Anabin website (in German only) of the "Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen" (Central Office for Foreign Education). Further information is available from the International Students Office.

Sprachvoraussetzungen und -nachweise

Für den Bachelorstudiengang Angewandte Umweltinformatik und Erdbeobachtung benötigst du ausreichende Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache, welche mindestens dem Niveau C1 des Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmens für Sprachen (GER) entsprechen.

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) is sufficient proof of your German language skills,

• if you obtained it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,

• if you are a graduate of a bilingual secondary school in Germany or abroad and have passed a bilingual German examination, such as the AbiBac or the Gemischtsprachiges International Baccalaureat (GIB) or

• if you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recognition of your school-leaving certificate or language certificate as proof of language proficiency for university studies in Germany.

A complete list of foreign school-leaving qualifications and language certificates that are recognized as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the website of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you did not obtain your higher education entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution, you must provide a separate language certificate - regardless of your nationality. Only the following are accepted

• the passed „Prüfungsteil Deutsch“ of the Feststellungsprüfung,
• the passed DSH with the overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the exam (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression) or
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills.

To find out which other recognized certificates can be accepted as comparable by KIT, please contact

• as a German or German-equivalent applicant: Studierendenservice
• as an applicant with non-EU citizenship: International Students Office

Please note:
Language certificates are extremely important application documents that can prevent your enrollment if you do not submit them on time. Therefore, check early on in the application process whether you have the necessary language certificates for your degree program and, if necessary, plan to take one of the language tests mentioned above. The deadline by which you must submit language certificates corresponds to the enrollment deadline stated in your admission offer. In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of this deadline. The extension can be granted until the start of the lecture period at the latest.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Bauingenieur-, Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften
• Fachstudienberatung
• Vorsitzender des Prüfungsausschusses
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium

• all year round Information events of the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) on your desired degree programs, application and admission as well as starting your studies
  
• Try out KIT - clarify your interests and support your study decision by taking advantage of the diverse summer offers or participating in taster lectures.
  
• Campus Day: experience the campus live (together with your family) in spring and make your first personal contacts with the departments and their students
  
• Studieninformationtag: visit KIT on the state-wide study information day in November and experience the lecture hall feeling for the first time
  
• topMINT: you don't know yet what you want to study and need to bridge the summer? Take advantage of our orientation semester before you start your studies.
  
• Use our central online portal studienstart.kit.edu with all the important information and services you need to prepare for your studies and your first semester at KIT. Be it preparatory courses, study-related courses or mentoring programs.
  
• Orientation phase before the start of lectures - from students for students to get to know KIT, your fellow students and your student council. You will receive specific information on this when you enrol.
  
• You will be welcomed by KIT with a colorful supporting program at the welcome event for first semester students. You will receive the invitation after your enrollment.
  

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

• Course catalog current term
• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
• Archive of previous catalogs