Applied Geosciences

This master's programme provides advanced, application-focused training in geosciences, preparing you to tackle complex, land-related problems independently. You can shape your own study path through electives that concentrate on areas such as engineering geology and hydrology, applied sedimentology, geophysics, and topical themes like geohazards, renewable energy, and glaciology. In addition, freely selectable competence modules broaden and deepen your methodological skill set so you can apply modern techniques in research and practice.

Teaching takes place in a collaborative, supportive environment committed to graduate education and professional development. The programme is strongly practice-oriented and offers chances to engage with prominent applied-geoscience organisations — for example, partnerships and joint activities exist with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, and the Bremen State Geological Office — giving you access to real-world projects and research networks.

As an English-language MSc in geosciences based in Bremen, Germany, the programme is well suited for international students seeking a research-linked, applied curriculum with options to specialise. For specific details about course structure, credit requirements, internships, and career services, consult the programme’s official information or contact the admissions office.

Requirements (summary)

• Degree awarded: Master of Science (MSc)
• Field: Geosciences
• Language of instruction: English
• Location: Bremen, Germany
• Admissions details (academic prerequisites, language tests, application deadlines, required documents): see the programme’s official webpage or contact the university’s admissions office for up-to-date information

This program deepens your subject-specific knowledge, practical methods, and technical skills in terrestrial applied geosciences. Teaching is method-focused and geared toward real-world applications, so graduates are prepared for careers across consulting, resource assessment, environmental protection, renewable energy, and geohazard management. You can tailor your studies toward hands-on professional practice or a more research-oriented path, and the curriculum’s interdisciplinary range of electives encourages combinations across related fields.

The course structure combines a compulsory advanced mapping module with a set of professional/interdisciplinary electives and a selection of core specialisations (each organised as two-module sequences). In the second year you undertake a substantial project, a research seminar, and a master’s thesis — together these elements build independent research ability, project planning and execution, advanced data interpretation, and communication skills. There is also flexibility to take classes from other master’s programmes (including the option to substitute one core subject with a Marine Geosciences module or to take credits from Environmental Physics or Environmental History), supporting personalised study trajectories.

Requirements and key modules (with credit points)

• Compulsory, first year:
  • Advanced Mapping Course — 6 CP
• Elective modules, first year (professional and interdisciplinary competences):
  • Choose 1 or 3 out of the following (each 6 CP):
    • Advanced Digital Competences — 6 CP
    • Field and Lab Practice — 6 CP
    • Complementary Competences (e.g. Economics, Languages, Law) — 6 CP
• Core specialisation subjects (choose 3 or 4 out of the following; each subject = 2 modules, 12 CP):
  • Hydrogeology — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Engineering Geology — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Applied Sedimentology — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Applied Petrology — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Applied Geophysics — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Renewable Energy Resources — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Glaciology — 2 modules, 12 CP
  • Geohazards — 2 modules, 12 CP
• Cross-program options:
  • Possibility to take classes from other Master’s programmes
  • Option to replace one core subject with a subject from the Marine Geosciences Master’s programme or to choose 12 CP from the Master’s programmes Environmental Physics or Environmental History
• Mandatory modules, second year:
  • Geoscientific Project Exercise — 15 CP
  • Geoscientific Research Seminar — 15 CP
  • Master’s Thesis — 30 CP

Learning outcomes emphasized across the curriculum include advanced field mapping and survey techniques, digital data processing, laboratory analyses, interdisciplinary problem solving, independent research design and execution, and the ability to apply geoscientific methods to practical and societal challenges.

Graduates are prepared for professional roles in applied geosciences, including environmental and engineering geology, hydrogeology, sedimentology, geophysics, and renewable energy resource assessment. The focus on practical mapping, fieldwork and project-based research equips students for positions in consulting, public geological surveys, research institutes and the resource or energy sectors.

The programme’s institutional links and Erasmus partnerships also support careers in international research and collaborative projects. Many alumni pursue further research (PhD) or technical and advisory roles where strong methodological, field and data-analytical skills are required.