Earth Sciences

Course outline
Aufbau des Studiums
Main research interests
Formal requirements
Academic advisor
Contact
Degree | Master of Science |
Application | mandatory |
Studienbeginn: | winter semester only |
Standard course duration | 4 |
Format options | full-time only |
Language requirements | none |
Language of instruction | German |
Other features | postgraduate / consecutive |
Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Course outline
Based on the knowledge acquired in a Bachelor's degree programme in Earth Sciences, students in the consecutive research-oriented Master's degree programme will gain further expertise and methodological knowledge in the field of Earth Sciences. In addition to obligatory lectures and courses, students can choose further courses according to their own interests from a wide range of electives. A special focus is placed on well-founded field and laboratory training, enabling graduates to aim for a successful career in industry or science.
Course structure
The first three semesters of the Master’s degree programme in Earth Sciences at Heidelberg University are dedicated to continuous education in the form of lectures, field trips, practice classes, seminars, laboratory internships and project work. The final oral examination must be taken at the end of the third semester. Students are expected to spend six months writing their Master's thesis during the fourth semester. The Master’s programme is a modular programme. Just like in the Bachelor’s programme, examination prerequisites in the Master’s programme are assessed in credits (CP). One credit corresponds to a workload of 30 hours. The programme comprises the following compulsory and compulsory-elective modules. Students receive a confirmation of participation and a grade for each successfully passed module:
Compulsory modules (64 CP)
Module name
|
Course type
|
CP
|
Communication and Didactics
|
T, S, C
|
6
|
Isotope Geology and Geochronology
|
L, PC
|
6
|
Earth dynamics
|
L, PC
|
5
|
Field Training I
|
FT
|
12
|
Final oral examination
|
|
5
|
Master’s thesis
|
|
30
|
Types of courses: T = tutorial, S = seminar, C = colloquium, L = lecture, PC = practice class, FT = field training
Elective modules (56 CP)
Students must select 7 modules from a total of 15 offered in the elective modules. In one of these modules, students may freely combine the necessary courses and lectures.
Module name
|
Course type
|
CP
|
Hydrogeology I
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Hydrogeology II
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Environmental Geochemistry
|
L, S, PC, FT
|
8
|
Cosmochemistry and Planetary Processes
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Paleoenvironmental Dynamics
|
L, PC
|
8
|
Paleoclimatology
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Sedimentary Geology
|
L, PC
|
8
|
Paleontology
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Thermochronology - numerical modelling - Landscape Development
|
L, PC, FT
|
8
|
Magmatic and Metamorphic Processes
|
L, PC
|
8
|
Georesources
|
L, PC, FT
|
8
|
Analytical Techniques
|
L, PC
|
8
|
Environmental Physics
|
L, S, PC
|
8
|
Field Training II
|
FT
|
8
|
Free module
|
L, S, PC, FT
|
8
|
Main research interests
- Archaeomotry and Archaeometallurgy
- Biogeochemistry
- Biostratigraphy and Paleoecology
- Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
- Hydrogeochemistry and Hydrogeology
- Isotope Geology and Petrology
- Palynology and Paleoenvironmental Dynamics
- Physics of Environmental Archives
- Aerospace Planetology
- Quarternary Ocean Dynamics
- Sedimentology and Paleoenvironmental Dynamics
- Thermochronology and Archaeomotry
Formal requirements
For the M.Sc. course in Earth Sciences, Heidelberg University regulates student intake on the basis of an aptitude assessment process.
Aptitude for the course is assessed on the following criteria:
Overall grade (a) in the previous subject-relevant graduation exam (e.g. B.Sc.) and (b) in a selection test. The current Admission Regulations are available here.
Applicants for the course may submit a provisional B.Sc. certificate if the final certificate has not yet been issued to them.
Both German and international students must apply centrally to Heidelberg University in an online application procedure.
Application deadline
15 May for the following winter semester
Further information
Current information on application procedure
Internet pages of the Institute of Earth Sciences
Study and examination regulations
Examination regulations M.Sc. (21 April 2016)
Examination regulations M.Sc. (10 February 2009)
Module Handbook
Please click here to find the latest Module Handbook.
Examinations board
Issues arising in connection with examinations, credit transfer and academic credential recognition are dealt with by the relevant examinations board/office. For more information, consult the academic advisor(s) indicated below. Foreign examination prerequisites may be recognised by the ERASMUS representative.
Fees
Tuition fees at Heidelberg University are payable at the beginning of each semester.
Academic advisor
e-mail: Mario.Trieloff@geow.uni-heidelberg.de
Please consult the homepage of the Institute of Earth Sciences for information about current contact persons and office hours: http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/
Office of student affairs and office for examination issues
email: studsek.geow@uni-heidelberg.de
Internet: http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/studsek_start.html
Please consult the homepage of the Institute of Earth Sciences for information about current contact persons and office hours: http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/
ERASMUS representative
Please consult the homepage of the Institute of Earth Sciences for information about current contact persons and office hours: http://www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/
Contact
Institute of Earth Sciences
Im Neuenheimer Feld 234-236
D-69120 Heidelberg
phone: +49 6221 54-8291
fax: +49 6221 54-5503
email: sekretariat@geow.uni-heidelberg.de
Student representation
Im Neuenheimer Feld 236, Office 204
e-mail: fachschaft@geow.uni-heidelberg.de
Internet: www.geow.uni-heidelberg.de/studium/fachschaft