Teaching at KIT aims to provide young people a strong scientific,research-oriented education and an interdisciplinary skillset. By the end of their studies, students will be able to independently identify current and future environmental issues, work on complex problems and develop sustainable solutions using scientific methods.

The 6-semester Bachelor's degree course in geoecology qualifies students for a career in the areas of environment, sustainable land use and ecosystem management. The completion of the Bachelor's degree program allows students to enroll in the 4-semester Master's program in geoecology, with its advanced scientific and vocational qualification in environmental science.

The geoecological approach is based on a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry and geochemistry. This is complemented by subject-specific knowledge in a variety of other disciplines, including ecology, climatology, geology, geomorphology, soil science and hydrology. Linking these separate disciplines provides geoecologists with a broad understanding of ecosystem and the Earth system processes. The broad knowledge base permits geoecologists to approach environmental issues from an interdisciplinary outlook and to recognize the complex interrelationships embedded within many of today’s environmental problems, which often have strong ecological, economic, and ethical implications. To solve these problems, geoecologists draw on a wide range of environmental and scientific methods, including statistics, GIS, remote sensing, environmental analysis and planning. Graduates of the geoecology study program are prepared for various professional areas such as administration and politics, industry and commerce, engineering and planning as well as work for non-governmental organizations.

Learning objectives of the B.Sc. Geoecology

Learning objectives are formulated at the program level and in more detail for modules and courses. A distinction is made between subject-specific and general learning objectives (outlined below). Subject-specific learning objectives include not only knowledge synthesis and conceptual understanding of subject material, but also  the capacity for independent and specialized learning. General competencies include appropriate communication and skills needed for critical thinking, interdisciplinary endeavors, and applied working tasks.

Skills related to the subject

The graduates of the degree program

• are familiar with the principles of scientific work and good practices in science
• have a strong foundation in the subjects of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics
• know basic methods in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics
• have a broad and integrated knowledge in environmental science
• know the basic concepts and theories of environmental science
• know and understand the basic methods in environmental science
• know and understand the relevance of temporal and spatial scales for the understanding of ecosystems
• understand the basic causal relationships in ecosystems
• understand the importance of ethical considerations in scientific work
• know potential career paths and occupational fields

General skills

The graduates of the degree program

• can apply their knowledge and understanding to their job or activity
• can find, read, understand and critically evaluate the (possibly international) relevant primary literature for problem solving
• can formulate scientific questions related to a given problem
• can compare different methodological approaches and assess their merits foranswering a specific question
• can think independently and critically to develop solutions  to problems
• consider ethical issues when evaluating potential solutions
• can orally present and defend their work articulately and logically
• can communicate their work in written form according to the standards of scientific publication
• can organize and motivate themselves independently and in group work