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Curriculum

The curriculum of the six-semester Bachelor's degree program in Geography is divided into a two-semester introductory phase, a three-semester core phase, and a final semester. During the core phase, students can set their own priorities and specialize according to their interests. Further information on the module contents can be found below. Information on the project modules that make up the core phase can be found under "Project Modules."

Spezielle Studienordnung B.Sc. (in German)

Introduction to Physical Geography / Climate Geography

The module is divided into an introductory lecture on geomorphology, geology, soil science, and Quaternary science, as well as an introduction to climate geography. The content focuses on teaching the basic elements of the geosphere, discussing selected geosystems, and providing an insight into the issues and working methods of physical geography.

Students will learn the basic concepts and will be able to formulate and answer questions relating to physical geography.

Introduction to Human Geography / Economic Geography

The module is divided into the lectures “Anthropogeography” and “Economic Geography.” The content focuses on basic concepts and issues in population geography, urban geography, and economic geography, as well as their consideration at different spatial scales.

Upon completion of the module, students will understand social and economic contexts and be able to reflect on past and current global developments, and will be familiar with the basic working methods of anthropogeography.

Introduction to Spatial Planning, Transport Geography and Mobility Research

The module covers the most important explanatory approaches in urban geography and the fundamentals of planning theory, transport geography, and theories of spatial mobility. Other topics include instruments and planning statements in regional planning, urban development planning, and sectoral planning (especially transport planning).

Students learn about the structure of the German spatial planning system and planning law, understand processes in urban development and urban planning, and gain insight into municipal and regional planning. They also gain an overview of the basic methods of urban geography, spatial mobility research, and spatial planning. They learn about the most important fundamentals of transport geography and mobility processes.

Preparatory Course

The course provides students with an introduction to scientific work. The module focuses on the introduction and basics of data research and processing, presentation and writing techniques, and the fundamentals of communication theory.

Methods of Physical Geography

The methodology module covers the fundamentals of methodological approaches in physical geography. Topics include the basics of field and laboratory methods, data analysis, data presentation and interpretation, and physiogeographic map interpretation with a regional focus. Students will learn to describe, apply, and evaluate physiogeographical methods and assess their relevance to their future careers.

Empirical Social Research and Statistics

The methodology module provides an introduction to social research, taking into account the specific features of anthropogeographical research questions. Other topics include descriptive and analytical statistics, qualitative research concepts and procedures, and an introduction to and use of the computer programs MS Excel, SPSS, and MaxQDA. Students will thus develop a fundamental understanding of the problems and research questions of anthropogeography.

Geoinformatics

Students learn the theoretical fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS) and carry out practical exercises on PCs using GIS software. The module also covers the fundamentals of cartography and map design. Upon completion of the module, students will be able to describe, apply, and evaluate methods of geoinformatics and cartography and will be able to model, collect, and analyze spatial data.

Minor

The modules in one minor (36 CP) or two minors (18 CP twice) are to be taken throughout all semesters of the degree program. The minors currently available are: public law, economics, transformation economics, politics, sociology, computer science, environmental management (soil science, water management, ecology, etc.), and agricultural economics. Other subjects (such as geology) are available on request.

Non-Subject-Specific Skills (AfK)

During the course of study, AfK modules worth 6 CP are completed. Examples of AfK module topics include: discussion techniques, media technology, job applications and interviews, business English, presentation techniques, basics of PR and press relations, literature research, scientific working methods, logic, etc., as well as numerous language courses in various languages.

Project Management

The course introduces students to the essential fundamentals of process management in teamwork. In addition to theoretical principles (e.g., communication theory, organizational theory), methods such as facilitation, cost calculation, and marketing are covered. Selected methods are practiced using examples related to the degree program.

Project Modules

The project modules are divided into a scientific part, a methodological part, and a practical part. The scientific part conveys in-depth technical content, while the methodological part covers specific advanced methodological knowledge, which is then applied to a specific problem or in the context of an excursion or field trip. Projects are offered by each of the research groups at the department, allowing students to pursue their individual technical specialization.

Consolidation Module

In this course, students combine their knowledge from basic modules and study projects with the core concepts of the teaching and research subject of a selected professorship at the department. In addition to the content knowledge of the respective subject area, research skills and reading comprehension in relation to scientific texts are also expanded.

Internship

As part of their studies, students complete an 11-week internship. During the internship, they get to know an institution or a player in the professional field of geography and apply the theoretical and methodological content they have learned during their studies in practice. Prof. Dr. Christian Diller, christian.diller, is responsible for all matters concering the internship.

The following applies:

  1. The internship can be completed as a single internship with one internship provider, or as several internships with different internship providers.
  2. The internship must have a clear connection to geography. After consultation by e-mail with the internship supervisor, a maximum of 5 weeks of previous professional experience or an internship with a less close connection to geography can be recognized.
  3. Activities at external research institutions with a geographical connection can be recognized as internships. Activities at JLU cannot generally be recognized as internships. Under no circumstances can activities as a student assistant in teaching or within regular professorships at JLU be recognized. Exceptions may be internships at JLU research institutions such as the ZEU.
  4. In cases of doubt, it is recommended to send a preliminary inquiry by e-mail, in which the internship and the internship provider should be described in detail.
  5. Recognition will be granted once all internships have been completed. For each internship, a report must be written. This report, together with the internship certificate and your student ID number, should be sent directly to christian.diller.

Thesis

The Bachelor's thesis serves as proof of the student's ability to independently address an academic problem within a specified time frame using scientific methods. In the accompanying thesis seminar, the concept of the thesis is presented and discussed, and an overview of the results is provided before completion.

 

Courses of Study │ Degree Program │ Project Modules │ Studying in Giessen │ Application