Worum geht’s?

Der Bachelorstudiengang Geophysik am KIT vermittelt dir die Geophysik als vorwiegend physikalische Disziplin mit engen Verbindungen zu den benachbarten Geowissenschaften. Zu Beginn des Studiums erhältst du eine fundierte physikalische Grundausbildung, die dir eine solide Basis in Experimenteller und Theoretischer Physik sowie in Mathematik, Programmieren und Rechnernutzung bietet. Im weiteren Verlauf wählst du einen Schwerpunkt aus Bereichen wie Geowissenschaften, Geodäsie, Geoinformatik oder Ingenieur- und Hydrogeologie. Zudem kannst du aus einem breiten Wahlpflichtfachangebot wählen, um dein Studium individuell zu gestalten. Durch praxisorientierte Module und Übungen in Labor und Gelände erwirbst du wichtige Schlüsselqualifikationen wie Teamarbeit, Präsentationstechniken, wissenschaftliches Schreiben und den sicheren Umgang mit wissenschaftlicher Software und Messtechnik.

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.

Der Bachelorstudiengang Geophysik am KIT gliedert sich in die Fächer:

• Geophysik und Geowissenschaften (52 LP)
• Experimentelle und Theoretische Physik (24 + 23 LP)
• Programmieren (6 LP)
• Mathematik (24 LP)

Zusätzlich wählst du ab dem vierten Semester eines der folgenden Schwerpunktfächer (à 12 LP) und erhältst dadurch die Möglichkeit einer ersten berufsbezogenen Profilbildung:

• Geowissenschaften
• Erdmessung
• Geoinformatik
• Ingenieur- und Hydrogeologie

Weiterhin sind im Wahlpflichtbereich Lehrveranstaltungen im Umfang von mindestens 13 LP aus den folgenden Disziplinen oder – auf Antrag – aus weiteren zum Studienziel passenden Fächern zu belegen:

• Geophysik
• Physik
• Angewandte Geowissenschaften
• Geodäsie und Geoinformatik
• Meteorologie
• Bauingenieurwesen
• Informatik

Teil des Studiums ist außerdem der Erwerb von überfachlichen Qualifikationen im Umfang von 6 LP. Verpflichtend belegst du dabei das Modul Computergestützte Datenauswertung (2 LP) und kannst für die übrigen LP Lehrveranstaltungen aus den Bereichen Wissenschaftliches Englisch, Patentrecht, Projektmanagement, Tutorenprogramme, Wissenschaftliches Schreiben oder Wissenschaft in der Öffentlichkeit wählen.

Zum Abschluss deines Bachelorstudiums fertigst du eine Bachelorarbeit an, für die dir drei Monate Bearbeitungszeit zur Verfügung stehen. Mehr dazu erfährst du weiter unten.

Internship

A professional internship of at least four weeks (8 CP), which gives you an insight into the fields of work of geophysicists in industry, authorities and engineering offices, completes the compulsory part of your studies.

Stays abroad

Due to its object of study, the earth, the study of geophysics is particularly internationally oriented. Measuring expeditions require worldwide cooperation and many specialist publications appear exclusively in English. It is therefore advisable to gain international experience during your bachelor's degree.

You can do this, for example, with a semester abroad in which you study at a partner university without tuition fees and earn credits that can be recognized when you return to KIT. Or you can decide to complete your internship or bachelor's thesis abroad.

Information on possible stays abroad - for example via ERASMUS+, Eucor or overseas - can be found on the Stay Abroad page of the Geophysical Institute and at the KIT International Students Office.

Bachelor's thesis

At the end of your studies, you will write a bachelor's thesis in which you demonstrate that you can work on a subject-specific problem independently and according to scientific methods. The scope of the thesis is three months and corresponds to 12 CP. The maximum processing time is six months. The language in which the bachelor's thesis can be written is determined by your examination board. A language other than German can be approved on application.

Der Bachelorabschluss legt die Grundlagen für den konsekutiven Masterstudiengang Geophysics, der am KIT in englischer Sprache angeboten wird, um der Internationalität des Studienfachs gerecht zu werden. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt demzufolge auf der Vermittlung eines breit angelegten Grundwissens sowie ersten Erfahrungen mit Verfahren, die in der geophysikalischen Berufspraxis eingesetzt werden. Mögliche spätere Einsatzfelder findest du auf der Seite Berufliche Perspektiven des Geophysikalischen Instituts.  Eine stärkere Profilbildung und Vertiefung sowie eigenständiges wissenschaftliches Arbeiten ist dem Masterstudium vorbehalten. 

Characteristic features of Geophysics B.Sc. at KIT

• anchoring of the degree program at the Geophysical Institute of the KIT Department of Physics
  
• strong physical-mathematical orientation of the degree program
  
• small study program enables small learning groups, close contact with lecturers and personal advice
  
• in-situ events: field experiments, field exercises and excursions
  
• integrated internship (240 hours)
  
• bridge courses and semester-accompanying courses at the MINT-Kolleg
  
• slow study model - bachelor's degree in Geophysics after seven or eight semesters without counting towards the standard period of study
  
• intensive study model - parallel studies: bachelor's degree in Geophysics and Physics
  
• consecutive English-language master's program
  

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 course in Geophysics, you need sufficient knowledge of the German language, which 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 Physik
• Geophysikalisches Institut
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Physik

Teaching calendar

Course catalog

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