Engineering Geohazards M.Sc.

 

Society worldwide repeatedly finds itself the victim of destructive natural forces due to extreme natural events. High economic losses, the loss of human life, and the endangerment of social structures are challenges that have to be overcome on a regular basis. Predicting the effects of these forces in terms of their extent, space, time, and intensity and minimizing their consequences is a central, interdisciplinary challenge at a local, national, and global level.

The intensities of extreme exogenous natural events (storms, storm surges, heavy rainfall) are increasing, but endogenous natural events (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions) also regularly occur, causing varying degrees of damage. Complex chains and cascading catastrophes that follow an initial extreme natural event are often of no less intensity (tsunamis, mass movements) and cumulative in their extent.

The interdisciplinary Master's degree program Engineering Geohazards (EGH) connects the natural sciences, engineering, and economics. In four semesters, students are taught a comprehensive geoscientific basis to understand the complex impact of natural hazards and assess their consequences for society.

Finally, in order to protect lives from the consequences of natural disasters, the responsible development and design of engineering protection measures is an essential part of this program. Furthermore, the course of study imparts skills for sustainable preparation and rehabilitation of the habitat in the area of conflict between disaster prevention, national and business economics and ecology, since coping with disasters is associated with high costs. In the long term, graduates are expected to contribute to better control and to develop a sustainable design of our living space.

Practical experience and the option of an applied Master's thesis at partner companies as part of a research module are an integral part of the curriculum. This period is thus also intended as a fixed time when students may study or conduct research outside the university.

 

Degree Content

In the first year of study, the focus is on understanding processes and fundamentals in the field of geo and engineering sciences. In the second year of study, these learned fundamental skills are then deepened.

Since practice-oriented work is another focus of the Master's program, the regular curriculum includes a research module, which is intended to link contents and provide space for innovative approaches, and an internship, which is either research-based or to be completed in a company/industry. There is also the possibility to carry out a mobility module at one of our partner universities throughout Europe and/or also to attend courses within the geoscientific network of the Aachen/Bonn/Cologne/Jülich research area within the ABC-J module, especially if these courses complement RWTH's offers.

The integrated research module is intended to enable the development of models and critical evaluation, strength and weakness as well as uncertainty assessment of these models. In doing so, learned material is connected and space for innovative approaches provided. In addition, the preparation and evaluation of data related to geo risks and the sensitive and valuable public relations work involved in this topic will be trained.

The degree program is concluded with a synthesis achievement in the form of a major research paper (i.e., master’s thesis) in order to develop and document the autonomy in understanding the complex causal structure of natural hazards and the evaluation of the consequences from different perspectives.

You can find further details on the curriculum on the Division of Earth Sciences and Geography website.

 

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for admission to the program is an initial university degree. The required academic background is described in the exam regulations. The determination on whether or not the admissions requirements are met is made by the examination board. Please find more information on the department's website.

 

Media Library

Would you like to have a better idea of the degree program? Use the various ports of information available! You can find our recommendations in the media library.

 

Career Prospects

The interdisciplinary and international skills acquired during this course of study open up a wide range of employment opportunities for students:

• National and international institutions, e.g. Federal Office for Civil Protection, EU, UNO, ASEAN
• Globally active development and aid organizations
• Companies in the insurance and reinsurance industry, construction, environmental consulting, engineering offices
• Administration
• Research institutions

International students can transfer their academic knowledge to their home countries and use their skills in a sustainable and responsible way in their academic and political everyday life.

 

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

 

Departments and Faculties

The Maters's course of study Engineering Geohazards is offered by the Division of Earth Sciences and Geography in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering.