The Environmental Sciences degree course is right for you, if you

• have an interest in natural sciences
• do not shy away from math or physics
• are curious about weather and climate
• have team spirit

For this program of study, you must be able to read and understand specialist literature in English. However, you will not be required to provide separate proof of your language proficiency.

1st and 2nd semester

Within your first academic year, you will acquire fundamental knowledge in the following areas: experimental physics, mathematics, chemistry, meteorology and climate. Unique to this degree program is a group project concerning climate and environmental science that you will carry out during the semester.

3rd to 6th semester

Building upon the fundamental knowledge you will have acquired during your first academic year, starting from the third semester, you will expand your understanding of meteorology (synoptics, cloud processes, climate change and consequences, statistics and measurement technology). In addition, you will take courses that cover the topics of renewable energy, air pollution, and environment protection. These courses will be complemented with lectures in the areas of programming and data analysis.

In the “extended skills” module, you have the opportunity to look beyond the scope of your own degree program and take other courses, such as advanced language courses, to attain additional skills. 

The 6th semester is designated for the bachelor’s thesis and the oral final examination.

Required electives & specialization, starting from the 3rd semester

With a specialization in atmospheric science, you can individually develop and design your program of study. It is your decision whether you choose to focus on environmental analysis or on scientific journalism and communication.

Starting from the third semester, you can choose a specialization in geography, geosciences or audiovisual publishing from the comprehensive selection of electives.

• In geography, focus is placed on aspects of physical or human geography, complemented by content surrounding cartography and spatial planning.
• Within the geosciences branch, you will learn the fundamentals of geology and acquire knowledge in the areas of engineering, hydrogeology, isotope geology, and/or geoinformatics.
• In audiovisual publishing, you will learn extensively about journalistic work, both generally and within the realm of scientific communication. Additionally, you will be taught the fundamentals for the production of audiovisual content (e.g. camera work).

Percentage breakdown of the content of the degree program

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

A semester abroad is possible during the bachelor’s program (from the 5th semester), between your bachelor’s and master’s studies, as well as during the master’s program. We will recognize credits obtained abroad to the extent possible. So there is no need to worry that a stay abroad will result in lost time or even have a detrimental effect – quite the opposite!

Internships

As a part of the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences with a Focus in Atmosphere and Climate, you are required to complete a 4-week work placement, ideally starting from the 4th academic semester.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Climate change is an issue that affects not only the atmosphere, but also other areas of the Earth system, and impacts society as a whole. The main objective of the the degree program Environmental Sciences with a Focus in Atmosphere and Climate is thus to train students for this professional field which is in increasing demand. You will acquire the ability to approach and solve socially relevant questions regarding climate and environmental crises with the help of analytical thinking and systematic methods. The following professional fields will be open to you:

1) Positions in administration (environmental offices and environment protection)

• Environmental and climate experts are sought-after specialists when it come to topics such as air pollution control or environment protection.
• When constructing buildings or streets, the work of environmental scientists enables an estimate of potential effects on humans, flora, and fauna.
• Within the agricultural and environmental sector, weather, climate, and air pollution can provide vital information, which can serve as a basis for the use of pesticides or insecticides in agriculture.

2) Renewable energy sector

Diverse tasks await you at companies that focus on energy generation, chemistry, mobility, or drive technology.

3) Jobs in the field of remote sensing

During your studies, you will learn the analytical relations of processes, from data collection to computer-aided processing, evaluation, modeling, and presentation of data.You will be able to apply this knowledge to activities within the field of remote sensing.

4) Damage calculation and risk assessment for insurance agencies

There is a high demand for scientists who are well trained in the area of environmental and atmospheric sciences and are apt to perform risk assessments and damage calculations subsequent to extreme events.

5) Working for a bank

• In banks, environmental scientists address options for extreme weather events or goods, as well as statistical analyses of stock exchange (data analysis skills).
• Thanks to their ability to solve problems analytically, environmental scientists can help develop new financial products.

6) Media and journalism

Thanks to the opportunity to learn about the aspects of scientific journalism, as well as to gain firsthand experience during the program of study, the field of scientific journalism is a potential professional field for you. This includes in particular scientific communication in connection with weather, climate, and environmental subject matters.

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.