What is it all about?

The bachelor's degree program in Geophysics at KIT teaches you geophysics as a predominantly physical discipline with close links to the neighboring geosciences. At the beginning of your studies, you will receive a sound basic education in physics, which will provide you with a solid foundation in experimental and theoretical physics as well as in mathematics, programming and computer use. As you progress, you will choose a specialization from areas such as geosciences, geodesy, geoinformatics or engineering and hydrogeology. You can also choose from a wide range of compulsory electives to customize your studies. Through practice-oriented modules and exercises in the laboratory and in the field, you will acquire important key skills such as teamwork, presentation techniques, scientific writing and the confident use of scientific software and measurement technology.

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 bachelor's degree program in Geophysics at KIT is divided into the following subjects:

• Geophysics and Earth Sciences (52 CP)
• Experimental and Theoretical Physics (24 + 23 CP)
• Programming (6 CP)
• Mathematics (24 CP)

From the fourth semester onwards, you will also choose one of the following specializations (12 CP each), giving you the opportunity to develop an initial career-related profile:

• Geosciences
• Geodesy
• Geoinformatics
  
• Engineering and Hydrogeology
  

In the compulsory elective area, you must also take courses worth at least 13 CP from the following disciplines or - on application - from other subjects that match the study objective:

• geophysics
  
• physics
  
• applied geosciences
  
• geodesy and geoinformatics
  
• meteorology
  
• civil engineering
  
• computer science
  

Part of the degree program is also the acquisition of interdisciplinary qualifications amounting to 6 CP. You are required to take the module Computer-Assisted Data Analysis (2 CP) and can choose courses from the areas of scientific English, patent law, project management, tutoring programs, scientific writing or science in the public sphere for the remaining CP.

At the end of your bachelor's degree, you will complete a bachelor's thesis, for which you have three months to complete. You can find out more about this below.

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.

A bachelor's degree in Geophysics opens up career prospects in university and non-university research, development and application, e.g. in the field of raw material development (geothermal energy, minerals), in the field of environmental management (pollutant detection, landfill investigations, hydrogeological work), in construction projects (underground investigations for tunnels, dams, buildings, etc.) or in the monitoring of natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes) as well as in the exploration of the earth's interior from the crust to the core.

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).

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.

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
  
• 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.
  

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Physik
• Geophysikalisches Institut
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Physik

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