Geosystems in Transition (M.Sc.)
Master's degree program for graduates with a bachelor's degree in geography or related subjects such as geology, geoecology, geoscience, and environmental management. The program focuses on climate and climate impact research, Earth surface processes/geomorphology, and spatial analysis using geographic information systems (GIS).
Global climate and environmental change is bringing about changes in all geosystems. Both climatic influences and those caused directly by human activities are key factors here. In order to understand the cause-and-effect relationships, the individual processes and their interactions must be examined. The program therefore focuses initially on the interdisciplinary, physical-geographical analysis of a specific geosystem. This could be a river basin in Germany, for example, which is used to give students a deep understanding of past, present, and possible future conditions. Climatic, geomorphological, hydrological, biological, and pedological processes are considered. This knowledge is then transferred to geosystems in other areas in order to compare and evaluate their stability in relation to environmental influences.
Methodologically, the program focuses on research-based learning: students collect their own empirical data in the field and in the laboratory, test hypotheses, and answer research questions. With this problem-centered learning approach, students test scientific methods in a real-world environment and apply them in a solution-oriented manner. The focus is particularly on the application of geographic information systems and the handling of geographic data. In this way, students are prepared to recognize local dynamics of climate and environmental change and, as future decision-makers, to develop solutions that do justice to the complexity of our environment.