Georesources Management B.Sc.

 

Energy resources, geothermal energy, water resources, minerals, soils – the Earth's resources should be both developed for human use but also protected. The sensible, sustainable use of georesources requires management based on legal guidelines and economic framework conditions. One of the most crucial tasks, is to carefully evaluate and direct invasions into the Earth's system such as climate and environmental changes. The consideration and limitation of the effects of unavoidable natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and tsunamis in heavily populated areas illustrates an additional challenge. Raw material and ground water reserves must be developed and maintained and humans' habitat and natural balances must be protected and restored. These current and often controversial fields of application show that georesource management is becoming increasingly important and can make crucial contributions to the future of humanity. The complexity and multifacetedness of the related problems requires interconnected approaches to solutions and a combination of technical knowledge in the geosciences and economic, legal, and technical disciplines.

RWTH's course of study in georesource management is a unique program that offers geoscientific education in an interdisciplinary curriculum. Students profit from the close collaboration between the classic geological and mineralogical sciences and geography, commercial geography, and raw materials and disposal engineering. Important content from economics, law, civil engineering, and environmental engineering are also included.

The science content of the course of study is supported by social science, business administrative, and legal material, so that for the first time ever, geoscientists are educated, who can use their knowledge to fill in the gaps between the legal, political, and business disciplines.

Aside from their basic studies students are able to select 8 of 15 concentration modules to pursue their personal interests. They can choose from the following specializations:

• Water Management
• Physics of the Earth
• Ecology
• Pedology and Environmental Remediation
• Economic Geology
• Geo Risks
• Landscape Genesis and Soil Degradation
• Fossil Substances and Environment
• Macroeconomics

One concentration module can be designed individually with academic performances at a partner university. Students will specialize in a profile area of their choosing only in their Master studies.

 

Degree Content

In addition to fundamentals of natural science students learn the techniques and methods for surveying and the interpretation of basic data for regional, residential, and industrial development. This includes subjects that build up economical skills.

One particular feature of geoscience studies is careful on site training. Theoretical contnt and skills are implemented in lab and site projects. At RWTH, this occurs through students' Bachelor studies. A four-week internship offers an initial look at fields of application.

Curriculum

Semester	Natural Science Fundamentals	Geoscience and Geographic Fundamentals	Planning Fundamentals
1-2	Linear Algebra I, Differential and Integral Equations II, Chemistry, Physics, Geochemistry	Mineralogy and Petrography, Geological Foundations, Commercial Geography, Climatology, Soil Geography and Biogeography	Introduction to Business Administration, Raw Materials Economy
3 -4	Subject-specific foundations		Environmental Management, Microeconomics
	Geochemistry, Statistics and Programming, Geochemical Analytics, Geodynamics, Raw Materials and Recycling, Engineering and Hydrogeology, Geoinformation Systems, Maps and Satellite Data		Communication, Law
5-6	Four of seven specialization modules
	Internship, 4 weeks; Bachelor's thesis, 3 months

You can find the additional information on the division's website.

Programs Abroad

The faculty maintains solid research and teaching collaborations with a number of European and non-European universities. Over 70 universities worldwide, of which 30 alone are in Asia, offer students the possibility to combine their academic training with deeper knowledge of the geological particulars of another country. Within the framework of the ERASMUS+ EU mobility program it is possible to complete a semester abroad at one of the numerous European partner universities, such as in Norway. Further partnerships open up study opportunities in Indonesia or India. All of the geoscientific institutes recommend and support spending time abroad either for studies or an internship. Additionally, annual excursions go all over the world, opening up study possibilities directly on site and new technical prospects.

RWTH students profit not only from the Faculty's programs abroad but also from the University's strategic partnerships with international universities. For example, you can complete a brief stay at one of the IDEA League universities while writing a term paper. The UROP Abroad program, the only one of its kind in Germany, offers the possibility to participate in research projects at international universities during Bachelor's studies. These stays abroad are partially funded through RWTH financial assistance.

All of RWTH's collaborative programs are listed on the study abroad webpages. Subject-specific information is published on the division's International Networking page.

 

Prerequisites

Personal Prerequisites

Vital prerequisites for studying geosciences include interest in the natural sciences, particularly in geoscience and technical problems, readiness for work on the computer, in the lab, on construction sites, and in mines, sometimes under extreme conditions in structurally weak areas. You should also be in good health and possess good math, computer, and language skills and have a knack for experiments. RWTH Aachen offers a bridge program to intensify and complete your knowledge before beginning studies.

Enrollment Prerequisite

Proof of having completed the RWTH "Georesources and Materials Technology" Self Assessment

 

Media Library

Do you want more impressions of geoscience studies? Use our diverse information available! You can find our recommendations in the media library.

 

Decision Aids

The Georesources Management course of study originated in geology and mineralogy, which deal with the processes and materials within the Earth, while physical geography is primarily focused on the structures and processes on the Earth's surface. Aside from the sphere of activitiy, the education in this course of study is defined by content (mathematics, (geo-)physics, (geo-)chemistry) shaped by natural science in the Applied Geography course of study. In contrast, the Applied Geosciences course of study contains more geoscience and natural science content. Furthermore the Georesources Management course of study possesses a unique characteristic with interdisciplinary training in economics and law. In contrast to the economics and law courses of study, georesources management studies are very clearly shaped by natural science. The term management does not necessarily refer to the classic business administration management function but to the skilled linkage of geoscience understanding with an understanding of planning. If you would like to test yourself, you are welcome to attend lectures as a school student. You can also gather initial impressions from the Schüleruni, during the University Visitation Week or in Taster Studies for Girls

 

Career Prospects

Due to their special geoscience skills and their scientific foundation with an interdisciplinary background RWTH graduates work in both strategic and planning work environments as well as in research and development. Georesource managers find work at nationally and internationally active companies in the raw materials industry. They know the geological, legal, and economic framework conditions and can evaluate them. This particularly qualifies them for work where complex projects must be directed - for example in raw materials production, international commodity trade, water supply, and environmental management. Their responsibilities include the evaluation of georisks and assessing damage when working in consulting firms or in the construction or insurance sector. A broad spectrum of professional opportunities is also available in public service at various state offices and ministries, authorities, and municipal institutions.

 

Master's Degree Prospects

Following the Bachelor's program RWTH Aachen offers an epononymous Master's program with specializations in raw materials and energy management and environmental management. Students select one specialization at the beginning of their studies. The Master's program aims to teach skills in decision making related to business administration, raw materials, the environment, and politics. It teaches students the skills to evaluate existing potential for georesources while considering georisks and competitive usage entitlements. This ability to comprehensively analyze and consider both the economic environment as well as ecological, sociological, technological, and geological factors of environmental protection make RWTH graduates attractive experts worldwide.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject-Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Faculty

The Bachelor course of study in Georesources Management is offered by the Division of Earth Sciences and Geography in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering.

The Division of Earth Sciences and Geography at RWTH currently unites a total of 22 professorships dedicated to the Earth's system in RWTH’s Geocluster. Together with the Division of Mineral Resources and Raw Materials Engineering, the Division of Metallurgy, and the Division of Material Science and Engineering, it is part of the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering, which focuses on the entire process chain: the source of raw materials – extraction – refining – processing – and recycling.