In general, you should have a strong interest in the natural sciences. Solid knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and physics is desirable, but not mandatory, as you will learn all of the basic skills during your studies.

As a Geosciences student, you will take part in many field trips. You should therefore be able to move around in the field with ease and have sufficient stamina for such excursions, as the field trips are often off the beaten track.

You must be able to read and understand specialist academic literature in English in order to pursue your studies. However, you will not be required to provide separate proof of your language proficiency.

Good English skills are also relevant for the field courses held abroad.

The program is divided into three basic sections:

First academic year (first and second semester):

• Courses in the natural sciences (mathematics and chemistry)
• ‘Earth System’ module: breakdown of all geological relationships on the Earth’s surface and in the Earth’s inner layers.
• ‘Mineralogy’ module: the building blocks of rocks, but also the use of mineral resources
• ‘Sedimentology’ module: interaction of atmosphere and hydrosphere, and their effect on rocks on the Earth’s surface
• ‘Applied Geology’ module: applications of geoscientific techniques in the field of hydrogeology and engineering geology
• ‘Geoinformatics’ module: introduction to specialist geoscientific programs
• First field exercises and field trips in local regions – to be chosen from several options

Second academic year (third and fourth semester) − gain further knowledge in the geoscientific subdisciplines

• Geophysics
• Petrology
• Paleontology
• Soil science
• Tectonics
• Additionally: multi-day field exercises

In the third academic year, you will participate in a 10-day mapping excursion, usually in a foreign country.
Additionally, you will choose three of eleven required elective modules in which you will study the previously covered topics in greater depth. Often, these modules are linked to the institute’s core research fields. You have nine weeks to write your final bachelor’s thesis. The required elective modules you have taken will usually determine the topics you can choose for your bachelor’s thesis.

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.

When studying Geosciences, it is recommended to go abroad during the second academic year, i.e. the fourth semester. It is also possible during the third year of study.

In the Geosciences program of study, you are also expected to spend 10 days abroad in France or Spain for geological mapping.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain 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.

In the Geosciences program, internships outside research institutions are recommended after the second academic year or during the third academic year.

As a graduate of the Geosciences degree program, many career opportunities are open to you in a wide variety of fields. The course provides you with comprehensive basic geoscientific knowledge as a foundation for all geoscientific professions. The applied modules in the first and third years of study prepare you for your professional career.

Typical professional fields for graduates of the Geosciences degree program are:

• Resource geology: exploration and extraction with a special focus on ore mining and mineral resources
• Environmental geology: e.g., site cleanup, groundwater extraction, and groundwater protection
• Geo-resources: e.g., the preliminary exploration of sites for geothermal utilization
• Engineering geology: rock stabilization, subsoil investigations, preparation of (geo)hazard maps
• Tunnel and road construction, as well as track planning for railroads
• Geoinformatics: creation of special maps or computer-based spatial models for the development of infrastructure
• Ground water use and protection
• Renovation strategies in the environmental sector
• Engineering geology
• Terrain survey for state offices
• Research

In principle, graduates of the bachelor’s program in Geosciences can apply for all positions that expressly target natural scientists. Quite a large proportion of our graduates find employment in this area. This includes, for example, material processing companies, companies in the mobility sector (Deutsche Bahn), and IT companies that focus on spatial data.

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.