What is it all about?

The Applied Geosciences degree program is about understanding the earth and its processes and getting to know the practical application of geoscientific methods. You will learn how geological processes influence the environment, how raw materials and resources are extracted and how to analyze geoscientific data in order to prevent environmental damage or better understand climate change, for example. You will not only learn geoscientific basics, but also specialized topics such as hydrogeology, engineering geology, georesources and geochemistry.

The focus of the degree program at KIT is on practical applications: you will study soils, rocks, water and minerals and apply geoscientific methods to find solutions to real-world problems - be it in environmental engineering, geotechnics or raw materials exploration. In this degree program, you will work a lot in the laboratory and also often outside in nature to take samples and carry out measurements. This combination of theory and practice prepares you to tackle and solve geoscientific problems in various sectors - such as construction, energy supply or environmental protection.

Thanks to sound methodological knowledge, you will be able to link geoscientific issues and apply both analytical and quantitative methods. You will learn to carry out geoscientific calculations and to collect, analyze, evaluate and present relevant information both individually and as part of a team. A key aim of this degree program is to develop your ability to think and act in an interdisciplinary manner.

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.

The following subjects await you on the bachelor's degree program:

• Fundamentals in Science (37 CP, compulsory): here you will learn the essential scientific principles that are necessary for understanding the geosciences, including mathematics, experimental physics and general and inorganic chemistry

• Introduction to Geosciences (72 CP, compulsory): in this subject, you will study the processes in the Earth's interior (volcanism, plate tectonics). You will learn to identify minerals and rocks and understand their formation as well as create geological maps. You will immerse yourself in the development of the earth over the course of geological time.

• Specialization in Geoscience (25 CP, compulsory): in this subject, you will learn about all the geoscientific specializations of the degree program. These are georesources, laboratory methods in geochemistry, hydrogeology and engineering geology. You will also deepen your knowledge of geodata processing (GIS).

• Diversification in Geosciences (20 CP, compulsory elective): here you can choose between an in-depth look into and at minerals (crystal structure, materials science, strength of materials), the relationship between climate and geology. Or you can increase your understanding of major geological processes (geodesy, volcanology)

• Interdisciplinary Qualifications (6 CP): here you will learn how to work and present scientifically using current geoscientific research as an example.

Internship

Internship (8 CP, compulsory): an important part of the degree program is a 6-week professional internship, which is usually completed in the 6th semester. It gives you the opportunity to understand the needs of companies at an early stage and thus prepare you for the job market.

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 or the KIT Department of Civil Engineering, Geo and Environmental Sciences directly to find out about outgoing options at an early stage.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete your bachelor's thesis (12 CP), an academic paper that allows you to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It usually deals with a specific topic from your field of study and requires independent research, analysis and writing. The maximum processing time for the bachelor's thesis is 6 months.

With a bachelor's degree in Applied Geosciences from KIT, you have a wide range of career opportunities. Here are some of the most important prospects:

1. engineering firms: you can work in engineering firms where you will carry out geological investigations for construction projects and prepare geotechnical reports.
   
2. consulting firms: in consulting firms, you will support companies and authorities with geoscientific issues, such as the assessment of geological risks.
   
3. construction industry: in the construction industry, you can be involved in the planning and monitoring of construction projects.
   
4. mining and oil industry: in these sectors, you will be involved in the exploration and exploitation of raw materials.
   
5. drilling companies and waterworks: you work on the development and use of water resources.
   
6. authorities and associations: you can work for government agencies or environmental organizations and help implement environmental and resource protection measures there
   

These professional fields offer you the opportunity to apply your knowledge in practice and contribute to solving geoscientific and social challenges.

Or you can follow up your bachelor's degree with a master's program, e.g. the master's degree program in Applied Geosciences here at KIT.

Characteristic features of Applied Geosciences B.Sc. at KIT

• close contact with lecturers and academic staff
  

• involvement in applied research
  

• numerous excursions lasting several days in Germany and abroad
  

• professionally relevant key qualifications
  

• compulsory elective subjects from geophysics, meteorology, civil engineering and materials science
  

• opportunity to work part-time at the institute and associated laboratories
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• orientation week before the start of lectures
  
• 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
  
• Lernraum app
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• 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.

Language requirements and certificates

For the bachelor's degree program in Applied Geosciences, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language. Your German language skills must correspond to at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Important: you must provide proof of the required language skills regardless of your citizenship and by the end of the enrollment period at the latest, but preferably at the time of application.

In what form do I have to provide the language certificates? Please read the following chapters on this website carefully. If you have any further questions, please contact

• Students Office if you are applying as a German, German national or a person with German equivalent status
• the International Students Office if you are a non-EU national

Proof of sufficient German language skills

As proof of your German language skills, your higher education or master's entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur, university degree or a professional qualification that entitles you to study) is sufficient if you have acquired it at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction.

In concrete terms, this means that you do not have to submit additional proof of German if you

• have obtained your Abitur at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad,
• 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
• you graduated from a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country regarding 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 Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Laender (KMK) in the Federal Republic of Germany.

If you have already completed a German-language degree at a German university, this can also count as proof of German language proficiency - but only if the diploma supplement, transcript of records or degree certificate clearly states that German was the sole language of instruction and examination.

If, on the other hand, you did not obtain your higher education or master's entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution with German as the language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language proficiency at least at DSH-2 level. This corresponds to CEFR level C1.

Only the following certificates are accepted in accordance with the KIT admission and enrollment regulations:

• passed German section of the Feststellungspruefung (assessment test)
• passed German language test for university admission (DSH) with overall result DSH-2
• passed Test of German as a Foreign Language (TestDaF) with level 4 in all four parts of the exam
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs - second level (DSD II)
• Goethe certificate C1 or higher
• passed telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule exam
• Austrian Language Diploma C1 or higher

Note: The above-mentioned tests are accepted as proof of language proficiency for an unlimited period of time, even if the provider specifies an expiration date.

What if I cannot provide suitable C1 proof of German at the time of application?

If you are unable to provide any of the C1 certificates listed above demonstrating your German language skills by the application deadline, you may still be admitted if you can provisionally demonstrate at least B1 language proficiency. Proof of B1 level is provided by a recognized language certificate or other certification from a language or other educational institution that clearly shows that B1 level has been achieved.

But please don't forget: you still have to submit the C1 certificate by the end of your enrollment period at the latest, which is stated in your admission letter.

Therefore, check early on whether you can provide the necessary language certificates by the deadline and, if necessary, plan to take a recognized language test.

In justified cases, you can apply for an extension of the enrollment deadline to provide proof of your language skills, but this extensvion can only be granted up to the day before the start of the lecture period. Please contact the Student Office or the International Students Office - depending on who is named as your point of contact in your letter of admission.

Additional necessary requirements for enrollment

For Germans and those with German equivalent status, an additional necessary requirement for enrollment is proof of participation in a study orientation test (e.g. www.was-studiere-ich.de) or a study orientation consultation in accordance with §7 of the "Landeshochschulgesetz" (State Higher Education Act), e.g. by the Student Advisory Service (ZSB) of KIT. Non-EU/EEA nationals do not have to provide this proof.

• 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
• Studieninformationstag: 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.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

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

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• Course catalog current term PDF (English)
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