Master program Earth Sciences
Curriculum
We believe that you know best what you want to learn in order to be optimally prepared for your future as a geoscientist. Therefore, the curriculum for the Master in Earth Sciences at the University of Innsbruck is designed to be as flexible as possible.
In the course of 4 semesters, courses totaling 120 ECTS points must be completed. Of these, only 40 ECTS must be completed in the form of compulsory modules. These mainly focus on your own research in the context of your Master's thesis.
The remaining 80 ECTS points can be freely chosen from a wide pool of elective modules according to your personal interests. To support you, we have created four specializations that provide a thematic guideline. Full specialization or "a little bit of everything"? You decide for yourself.
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The specialization "Alpine Geology" deals with the geodynamic processes of mountain building in general, with a special focus on the regional geology of the Alps. Innsbruck's location in the heart of the Alps offers unique conditions for this. Accordingly, a profound education in modern field methods is a main focus of this specialization. Another focus is on the interaction between large-scale (geodynamics/plate tectonics) and local processes (structural geology/rock fabrics/endogenous natural hazards). This combination opens up a wide field of activities in the applied geoscientific sector, the raw materials industry and energy industry, but also with various public authorities, consulting companies and in research.
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The specialization "Quaternary and Applied Geology" offers an intensive study of two highly relevant topics in geology. On the one hand, the study of the recent geological past, the Quaternary (the last 2.6 million years). You will gain deep insights into processes that have shaped landscapes such as those of the Alps, learn to reconstruct environmental and climatic changes from sediments, and thus have a profound knowledge of natural climate change. On the other hand, you will receive training in applied topics from engineering geology and geotechnics, such as exogenous natural hazards. You will be introduced to current research issues in both fields through a combination of field and laboratory-based methods.
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The specialization "Petrology and Geochemistry" deals with basic scientific questions concerning mineral- and rock-forming processes in a geodynamic context. You will gain a deeper insight into theoretical concepts of physico-chemical fundamentals and acquire special knowledge in selected modern methods of high-resolution chemical microanalysis and high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis methods in the course of experimental simulation of mineralogical/petrological processes in the Earth's crust and mantle. You will be introduced to current questions concerning research on igneous and metamorphic rocks and will be able to critically evaluate research results. Graduates possess knowledge and skills of instrumental methods at the current state of the art and their application possibilities, which enable them both to pursue doctoral studies in various research-related directions and to meet the requirement profile of highly qualified personnel in relevant industrial professions. Typical professional fields are universities and research institutions, process- and analytics-oriented branches of industry (e.g. building materials, refractory or chemical industry), but also public authorities and museums.
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The specialisation Materials and Raw Materials combines basic research with applied research on geomaterials and inorganic-mineral materials that are relevant for modern industrial societies or that have played an important role in the course of cultural history. You will be presented with a wide range of topics that show the development from raw material in the deposit to processing and finally to the product. You will also learn how new materials are tailored to a given profile of requirements, which also takes into account the aspects of sustainability (recycling, environmental compatibility). Various practice-relevant analytical-chemical and crystallographic procedures and techniques for characterising and evaluating the materials round off the learning content. The knowledge imparted opens up job opportunities in industrial or university research and development. Possible fields of activity cover a broad spectrum, ranging from the binder sector, refractory and glass industry, high-tech ceramics, raw material evaluation, deposit research, archaeometry, recycling management to monument preservation.
The complete version of the curriculum including a description of the learning objectives of the individual modules can be found here.
Language
In principle, the language of teaching is German. However, the field of geosciences is increasingly international and English as a technical language is more important than ever. Many modules will therefore be held in English.