What is it all about?

In times of global environmental change, species extinction and dwindling resources (such as clean water and healthy soil), it is more important than ever to understand the interactions between the atmosphere, soils, biotic communities and humans. Geoecology is an interdisciplinary field of research that deals with precisely these interactions between geological, biological and anthropogenic systems. It investigates how natural and human processes influence the earth's surface and its ecosystems. Both the spatial and temporal dimensions of ecological phenomena are considered.

The study of geoecology provides you with the basis for developing sustainable strategies for the use and protection of natural resources (clean water and healthy soil) for a healthy environment. The program is of interest to all those who are committed to a healthy environment and the preservation of biodiversity and want to get to the bottom of things. To do this, you need to know a lot about biology, chemistry and physics, but of course you also need to know specific methods, e.g. from environmental chemistry or ecology.

Of course, you will also learn about central methods for geoecological research, e.g. ecological and pedological field methods, methods from climate research, handling remote sensing data (e.g. satellite images) or laboratory methods. All methods are used to record ecosystem processes. Based on the data generated, you will learn to develop models and scenarios that can be used to assess the impact of humans on their environment and identify the possible consequences. What ultimately distinguishes you after graduating in geoecology is the ability to think across disciplines and creatively draw on a broad range of scientific methods to solve environmental issues. This is why geoecology is also referred to as an environmental science.

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 in the bachelor's degree program (these are all compulsory subjects):

• Basics in Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Here you will learn the basics of the scientific canon of subjects that you will need for your further studies. The subject includes modules on mathematics, experimental physics, inorganic and organic chemistry and biology.
• Basic Methods of Geoecology: The modules in this subject introduce you to the main methods used in geoecology. You will learn about various laboratory methods as well as the basics of remote sensing. The modules Scientific Work Methods in Geoecology 1 + 2 introduce you to scientific work.
• Basics of Geoecology: In this subject, you will immerse yourself in the variety of topics related to geoecological action and research. This includes modules on climatology, geomorphology and soil science, biogeography and vegetation science, geology, ecosystems, hydrology, botany, zoology, basics of geochemistry, humans and the environment as well as the Field Course Geoecology module.
• Scientific Supplementary Courses of Geoecology: This subject offers you the opportunity to specialize thematically to a small extent. You can choose from numerous modules of varying scope. For example, you can take part in excursions, immerse yourself in soil science laboratory work or environmental analysis, deal with the topic of contaminated sites, deepen your knowledge of remote sensing or focus more on the landscape (landscape zones, mapping). You can also deepen your knowledge of the nature-human interface (e.g. economy and globalization, urban water management, urban geography).

Internship

The bachelor's degree program in Geoecology includes a 6-week internship, which is usually completed in the 5th semester. The internship is completed at a non-university institution and gives you an initial insight into working life. You are responsible for finding your own internship. Possible internships can be found, for example, in the following areas: contaminated sites, waste, soil / soil protection, water / water protection, air / pollution control, nature conservation, landscape planning, exchange processes, climate, alternative energies, environmental consulting, environmental analysis. At the end, you will complete a short report on your internship.

Stays abroad

KIT offers a wide range of options for stays abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad overseas. 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, 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 time allowed to complete a bachelor's thesis is 6 months.

After studying geoecology, you will have a wide range of opportunities to start a career in professions related to the environment. In particular, you can work anywhere where a scientific view of environmental systems is required, e.g. in chemical and physical research laboratories, engineering offices for technical planning, waste management companies, environmental and nature conservation authorities, universities or environmental protection organizations. The spectrum of activities ranges from analysis and design to consulting and expert opinions to scientific research and teaching. Your ability to think in an interdisciplinary way, your methodological knowledge of various specialist disciplines and your willingness to take a holistic view of problems are your unique selling points.

You can work in the following areas:

• science: universities, research institutions, e.g. state research institutions such as the Federal Institute of Hydrology or the Federal Biological Research Center and independent research institutions
  
• public service: ministries and authorities, e.g. Federal Environment Agency, Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, state offices for environmental protection, water directorates, districts, cities and municipalities (e.g. environmental officers)
  
• industry: environmental officers, environmental management, environmental auditing, risk management, research and development, waste management and recycling
  
• engineering consulting - planning offices: planning, development, consulting, environmental impact analyses, expert opinions, technology assessment, environmental auditing
  
• other areas of work: consumer advice centers, management consultancy, publishing houses, archives/libraries/documentation, information services, political parties and groups, environmental and nature conservation organizations, technical and/or development cooperation, real estate/building management, adult education, tourism
  
• self-employment: own office, freelance work at many of the above-mentioned institutions
  

Instead of entering professional life directly, you can follow a master's degree after successfully completing your bachelor's degree, e.g. the consecutive master's degree program in Geoecology at KIT.

Characteristic features of Geoecology B.Sc. at KIT

• specialization options in the fields of environmental monitoring, material cycles, river and floodplain ecology and climate-induced land use change
  
• numerous elective and specialization options
  
• access to cutting-edge technologies
  
• involvement in applied research
  
• professionally relevant key qualifications
  
• interdisciplinary orientation
  
• preparatory and support courses at the MINT-Kolleg
  

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 Geoecology, 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.

Selection procedure for German and German-equivalent applicants

There are 50 study places available. After deducting the preliminary quotas for hardship cases (5%), foreigners (10%) and second degree applicants (2%), 10% of the study places are allocated to the applicants with the longest waiting time. 90% of study places are allocated via a selection procedure.

The selection procedure is mainly based on the applicants' academic performance. On the basis of these achievements and so-called other achievements, a ranking is made according to points.

Calculation of the selection points:

1. sum of the points in the Abitur certificate divided by 56 or 60
   max. 15 points
2. arithmetic mean (sum of all points divided by the number of courses) of the upper school courses
   • of the two highest graded languages (including German)
   • of the two best graded natural sciences from the subject group mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology
   max. 15 points
3. other achievements (completed relevant vocational training, relevant professional practice, special training, practical activities, extracurricular achievements and qualifications)
   max. 15 points

value 1 + value 2 + value 3 = max. 45 points in total

The results of the selection procedures from previous years can be found in the "Zulassungsergebnisse" brochure ( only available in German).

Detailed information on the selection procedure can be found in the statutes for the university's own selection procedure for the degree program.

Selection procedure for applicants from non-EU/EEA countries

Please note that a different selection procedure applies for third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA). This selection procedure is based on the higher education entrance qualification. The higher education entrance qualification can be based on academic achievements in school, any previous academic achievements at universities and/or the "Feststellungsprüfung".

• 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.
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• 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 Geographie und Geoökologie
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Geowissenschaften

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