Program structure

The four-semester master's degree program in Geoecology is characterized by the three subjects Methods of Environmental Research, Specialization in Geoecology and Research Project. Students have to choose two of four specializations (soils, vegetation, water/etlands, climate impact) from each of the three subjects:

• U1 Methods of Environmental Research 1 (soils)
  
• U2 Methods of Environmental Research 2 (vegetation)
  
• U3 Methods of Environmental Research 3 (water)
  
• U4 Methods of Environmental Research 4 (climate impacts)
  
• Specialization in Geoecology 1 (soils)
  
• Specialization in Geoecology 2 (vegetation)
  
• Specialization in Geoecology 3 (wetlands)
  
• Advanced Geoecology 4 (climate impacts)
  
• geoecological excursion
  
• P1 research project soil science
  
• P2 vegetation science research project
  
• P3 wetlands research project
  
• P4 climate impact research project
  

The geoecological excursion in the subject Specialization in Geoecology is compulsory for all students in the first year of study.

In addition, three elective modules with 12 credit points each must be taken in the subject-related supplements. The following electives are offered:

• E3: geoinformation systems
  
• E4: empirical social research and research on developing countries
  
• E5: hydrogeology
  
• E6: meteorology
  
• E9: environmental and energy management
  
• E11: water chemistry, water technology and water assessment
  
• E14: river ecology and management
  
• E15: advanced hydrology
  
• E16: urban drainage
  
• E17: advanced remote sensing
  
• E19: environmental mineralogy and near-surface resources
  
• E20: advanced professional internship
  
• E21: functional ecology
  
• E22: nature conservation
  
• E23: climate system remote sensing
  
• E0: free elective area
  

The subject-related supplements also include the "free elective area" with 12 credit points, which can be chosen instead of a complete elective module. Students can choose geoecologically relevant courses themselves. Here, credits from other university locations or from abroad can also be recognized.

Furthermore, key qualifications of at least 6 CP must be taken.

The program concludes with a master's thesis of 30 CP, which is given double weight in the final grade.

After studying geoecology, you will have a wide range of opportunities in chemical and physical analysis 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 conception to consulting and expert opinions to scientific research and teaching. In addition to direct entry into a job, a doctorate is also possible if you have a very good master's degree, which will enable you to pursue a career in research and teaching at a later stage, for example.

Characteristic features of Geoecology M.Sc. at KIT

• master's orientation phase
  
• involvement of students in current research projects
  
• numerous elective and specialization options
  
• access to cutting-edge technologies
  
• professionally relevant key qualifications
  
• interdisciplinary orientation
  
• integration into the Eucor university network enables participation in courses at the universities of Freiburg, Basel, Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse
  
• study abroad via Erasmus+ or overseas program
  
• possibility of part-time jobs at associated scientific institutes / laboratories
  
• master's thesis also possible in companies or at another KIT department
  

What KIT has to offer

• central campus close to the city forest and right next to the city center
  
• 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
  
• internationally oriented degree programs and diverse exchange programs
  
• modern laboratories and practical teaching methods
  
• Lernraum app
  
• diverse student initiatives, clubs and opportunities to actively participate in campus life
  
• stay in touch after graduation via the alumni network
  

Admission requirements

The requirements for admission to the master's degree program in Geoecology are based on the current admission regulations:

• bachelor's degree
  a bachelor's degree (or at least an equivalent degree) in Geoecology (or a degree program with essentially the same content) from a university, university of applied sciences, university of cooperative education or a foreign university. The program must have been completed within a standard period of study of at least three years and with a minimum number of 180 ECTS credits.
• minimum knowledge and minimum achievements in the following areas
  • mathematics to the extent of 8 CP
  • physics to the extent of 8 CP
  • climatology to the extent of 4 CP
  • geomorphology and soil science (5 CP)
  • biogeography and vegetation science (4 CP)
  • ecology (3 CP)
  • geology (4 CP)
  • environmental chemistry (2 CP)
  • soil laboratory (3 CP)
  • hydrology (4 CP)
  • botany in the scope of 4 LP
  • zoology (6 CP)
  • spatial planning to the extent of 2 LP
  • languages R, Python or Matlab to the extent of 2 CP
  • statistics (3 CP)
  • geographical information systems (2 CP)
  • field practicals and excursions worth 5 CP
  Important: if minimum achievements amounting to a maximum of 30 CP are missing, admission can be granted on condition that these achievements are completed within the first three semesters of the master's degree program. The required conditions are listed by the admissions commission and will be communicated to you as part of the admission process.
• internship
  a six-week internship including internships completed during the bachelor's degree program
  if the internship is missing, admission can be granted on the condition that it is completed by the start of the third semester of the master's degree program.
• previous experience
  will be taken into account if they provide particular information about the applicant's suitability for the intended course of study. This includes
  • completed vocational training in a relevant training occupation and previous professional experience relevant to the degree program, even without completed vocational training
  • practical activities and special previous training related to the subject
  In addition, special academic achievements, such as relevant publications, outstanding academic work, research activities and research stays in academic institutions or industry can be taken into account.

The admission and selection commission of the master's degree program in Geoecology decides on the equivalence of the bachelor's degree or individual achievements.

Language requirements and certificates

For the master'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).

Proof of sufficient German language skills

Your school-leaving certificate is sufficient proof of your German language skills if

• you obtainted it at a German-speaking school in Germany or abroad
• 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)
• you obtained your degree at a foreign school, but there is another official agreement with the respective country on the recoginition 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 and language certificates that are recognizes as proof of sufficient German language skills can be found on the webste of the Kultusministerkonferenz (Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).

If you have not obtained your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) at one of the above-mentioned institutions, 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 an overall result DSH-2,
• the passed TestDaF level 4 in all four parts of the examination (reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, oral expression)
• a comparable, recognized certificate of sufficient German language skills

To find our which other recognized certificates can be accepted by KIT as comparable, 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.

There are 25 study places available each year. These are allocated on the basis of a ranking list of applicants who meet the admission requirements. The ranking list is based on a maximum of 100 achievable assessment points.

You can achieve in detail

• max. 45 points for the overall grade of the final academic examination and
• max. 40 points for the study and examination achievements to date
• and a maximum of 15 points for your other previous experience

Study and examination achievements that are named differently but have the same content will be taken into account in the selection process if they are equivalent. The admission and selection commission decides on equivalence.

Weitere Ansprechpersonen:

• KIT-Fakultät für Bauingenieur-, Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften
• Institut für Geographie und Geoökologie
• Fachstudienberatung
• Prüfungsausschuss
• Informationen zum Auslandsstudium
• Fachschaft Geowissenschaften

Teaching calendar

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