Bachelors Degree in Geoscience

Basically, geoscientists deal with the interrelationships and interactions of the Earth system and the structure, evolutionary history and current and future state of our planet Earth and its habitats. All geoscientific processes of the Earth system in the lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere are examined. This includes all geological, chemical, physical and biological procedures and processes that have taken place and are currently taking place from the formation of the Earth to its present appearance.

Current issues and important scientific areas are research into raw material deposits (metals, oil, natural gas), geothermal energy, natural disasters (volcanoes, earthquakes), climate impact research, the development of new materials (CO₂-neutral cements, high-performance ceramics, bone substitutes) and engineering geological and hydrogeological issues (e.g. subsoil investigations, slope analyses, geophysics). e.g. subsoil investigations, landslides, designation of water protection areas, investigations of the water cycle), as well as the investigation of past and present ecosystems (climate archives, biodiversity, reaction of organisms and ecosystems to environmental influences).

The Bachelor’s degree program in Earth Sciences is divided into two sections. The first area is the four-semester basic studies. It teaches the basics of geology, mineralogy and palaeontology, as well as the natural sciences of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

This is followed by two semesters of the specialisation phase. In this phase, three of five specialisations are selected. The Bachelor’s degree is completed in the sixth semester with the Bachelor’s thesis. In a period of eight weeks, you work on your own, small, scientific project and write a written paper about it. In addition, you present your research results at the end of the program in a colloquium in the form of a seminar presentation.

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Out of five specialization fields, three can be selected in the Bachelor’s degree. We offer the following specializations:

• Petrology – Geodynamics – Georesources (PG).
• Applied Geology (AG)
• Applied Sedimentology – Georesources (AS)
• Applied Mineralogy (AM)
• Paleobiology / Paleoenvironment (PB)

Enthusiasm for the Earth system, climate research, sustainability research, and ideally rocks.

In addition, there should be a general interest in the natural sciences of chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology.

Information on application/registration for the Bachelors Degree in Geoscience

The degree program can be started each winter semester. Enrollment consists of two steps:

1. Online via the portal www.campo.fau.de; the online portal is activated from early June.
2. In person at the Student Records Office (Studierendenkanzlei) at Halbmondstraße 6, Room 0.034. You can find the dates for in-person enrollment at the Student Records Office here (admission-free degree programs).

Information about introductory events at FAU for the start of studies can be found here.

Information about preparatory courses (Chemistry Crash Course) can be found here.

Enrollment for the summer semester is only possible when transferring from another university within a geosciences degree program.

Campo contains all module catalogs and information on when and where a course takes place, as well as the names and contact details of the responsible instructors. It also includes room plans and contact information for FAU staff.

Important Functions

View Timetable: Campo > My Studies > Timetable

Timetable and Module Planner: Campo > My Studies > Timetable and Module Planner
All courses to be taken in the current semester are displayed.

Register for Lectures: Campo > Course Offerings > Show Course Catalog > Degree Programs of the Faculty of Sciences > Geosciences > Bachelor/Master of Science Major PO 20202 > Bachelor Examination/Master Examination > Main Account/Additional Credit > Select any course > Parallel Groups/Dates > Book Date

The booked date will then appear on your timetable.

Together with our students, we explore the Earth system to find solutions for the challenges of the future.

We research:

• Climate and climate impact research
• Sustainable exploration of resources
• Development and optimization of geo-materials
• Geothermal energy/geoenergy
• Research and protection against natural disasters (e.g. volcanism, earthquakes)
• Groundwater protection

We offer:

• In both the bachelor’s and master’s program, there is the possibility to choose from different specializations. Study according to your own interests!
• Numerous excursions at home and abroad
• Intensive supervision during your studies
• Proximity to research and industrial projects

The numerous fields of geosciences also encompass a large number of different occupational areas. Geoscientists work in Germany and abroad, for example in engineering offices, universities, the chemical industry, the State Office for the Environment, laboratories, museums and research centres. The career prospects are very good due to the broad scientific education.

As a key qualification in the Bachelor’s program in Geosciences (5th semester), you can include courses from any department at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, as long as they are offered with 5 ECTS (e.g., language courses, field exercises, lectures).

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Specialization Selection for the 5th and 6th Semesters

At the end of the 4th semester, you choose three out of the following five geoscience specializations for the 5th and 6th semesters:

1. Applied Geology (AG)
2. Applied Mineralogy (AM)
3. Applied Sedimentology – Geo-resources (AS)
4. Paleoenvironment – Paleobiology (PB)
5. Petrology – Geodynamics – Geo-resources (PG)

The courses with module descriptions, times, and locations can be found at https://www.campo.fau.de. The specializations are introduced in a lecture during the 4th semester.

Below you will find the courses available for the interdisciplinary elective module in the Bachelor’s program in Geosciences. The interdisciplinary elective module is included in the module plan of the Bachelor’s program in the 5th semester.

Please note that the courses are only offered once a year! Therefore, courses offered in the winter semester (WS) should be taken in the 5th semester, and courses offered in the summer semester (SoSe) should be taken in the 4th semester.

Currently offered interdisciplinary elective modules for Bachelor’s students in Geosciences, each worth 5 ECTS:

Abbreviations:
SoSe = Summer Semester; WiSe = Winter Semester
V = Lecture, UE = Exercise