Georesources Management M.Sc.

 

The term "georesources" encompasses all resources - except for solar energy -  that serve as a foundation for life of modern human society and whose comprehensive use involves humans' intervention with the system Earth. This includes in particular natural resources (water, soil, mineral raw materials, energy raw materials, geothermal energy) and areas of application (living, agriculture, industry / business, traffic, disposal) as well as, in a wider sense, also climate and atmosphere.

The intelligent, sustainable use of georesources to the advantage of humanity requires management based on rules and experiences. Such management also includes taking into account and limiting potential consequences of unavoidable natural disasters (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, flooding, tsunamis) in densely populated areas, as well as human intervention into the system Earth (environmental and climate changes.)

Resource development and conservation of groundwater reserves on the one hand and securing human living space and restoring the natural balance on the other are areas of geosciences that are increasingly gaining in importance and that can provide critical contributions for the future of humankind.

The complexity and multi-dimensionality of the related issues requires cross-disciplinary approaches to solutions and a combination of technical knowledge from the geosciences and other scientific / technological areas.  This is why this course of study has an interdisciplinary focus. It is based on close cooperation between the classical geological sciences and economic sciences with geography/economic geography and resource & disposal technology, with contributions from economy and law, as well as civil engineering.

 

Degree Content

Study abroad
Study abroad in the form of internships or semesters at universities is expressly recommended. During the Master course of study, there is an option to spend a semester abroad at one of our numerous European partner universities in the context of an ERASMUS exchange program.

 

Prerequisites

A prerequisite for starting studies in a first university degree, with which the necessary background education can be proven, as determined in the exam regulations.  The exam board determines whether it fulfills the entrance requirements.

• Bachelor auf Science oder Engineering mit mindestens 180 ECTS
• At least 50 ECTS in geosciences modules, with at least 5 credit points having been fulfilled in field training
• At least 20 ECTS in mathematics, chemistry, and physics modules
• At least 5 ECTS each in economics and accounting modules
• At least a 4 week internship

Language Skills:
Sufficient proficiency in English must be documented when selecting resource management as a specialization (English, completed B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages)

Applications for reviewing existing technical training should ideally be made directly to the Faculty. 

 

Career Prospects

The career options are manifold, and prospects are considered high due to the practical orientation and quantitative focus of the course of study. Applied geoscientists work in the following industries here and abroad:

• Resources extraction and processing industries (mineral oil, natural gas, coal, geothermal energy, ores, precious metals, building materials, etc.)
• Environmental protection
• Civil engineering and general construction, in particular, tunnel construction, dam construction, foundations for large buildings
• Disposal technology
• New materials (fire-proof materials, functional materials, ceramics, glass, etc.)
• Crystal growing
• Groundwater development and protection
• Software industry
• Development, manufacture and distribution of analytical equipment
• National and regional authorities, as well as municipalities
• Research institutes and universities
• Museums

 

 

Examination Regulations

Exam regulations regulate academic goals and prerequisites, the course of study layout, and exam procedures.  The appendix to the regulations contains the description of the modules, from which the course of study is composed.

 

Division and Faculty

The Master course of study in Applied Geosciencees is offered by the Division of Earth Sciences and Geography in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering.