Bachelor's Programme Earth Science

As of winter semester 2018/2019 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding bachelor’s programme please consult this page »

Faculty Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences
Duration / ECTS-Credits 6 semesters / 180 ECTS-Credits
Academic Degree
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Qualification Level
Bachelor (First Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 6, EQF/NQF: Level 6
ISCED-F 0532 Earth Sciences
Mode of Study
Full-Time
Study Code
C 033 615
Curriculum Information on the Curriculum (2010W) *
Admission Requirements
Secondary school completion certificate or equivalent
Supplemental Examination Supplemental examination in biology and environmental sciences is required before admission to the study programme if this subject was not completed satisfactorily with at least 10 credit hours at a higher-level secondary school ("Oberstufe"). 

Please note: Students who changed from the BA Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences to the BA Earth Sciences do not have to provide this evidence.


* Information on the Curriculum (2010W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
  available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
  Section: Current Curriculum version.

University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table ) »

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

Austrian grading
 scheme
 Definition
 %-age
      
 1  EXCELLENT:
 Outstanding performance
19,0

= 100%

 2

 GOOD:
 Generally good, but with some errors
28.5
 3  SATISFACTORY:
 Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors
28.8
 4  SUFFICIENT:
 Performance meets the minimum cirteria
23.7
 5  INSUFFICIENT:
 Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work
     

October 2018

 

Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP)

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) starting winter term 2016 »

(1) Within the scope of the studies induction and orientation stage, which takes place in the first semester, the following course examinations must be passed:

  1. VO System Earth 1 (CM 1 lit. a/2 hrs. /4 ECTS-Credits),
  2. VO System Earth 2 (CM 1 lit. b/2 hrs./3.5 ECT-Credits),
  3. VO Introduction to Physics (CM 3/4 hrs. /5 ECTS-Credits).

(2) Successful passing of all exams of the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage entitles to passing all further courses and examinations as well as to writing the Bachelor’s Theses.

(3) Before successful completion of the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage courses amounting to 15 ECTS-Credits may be passed. The requirements specified in the curriculum must be met.

Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP) until december 2015

(1) The Studies Induction and Orientation Stage (STEOP), with a duration of one semester (30 ECTS-Credits), provides an overview of the study programme and its structure in order to give students an objective basis to assess their decision to pursue their chosen subjects.

(2) During the Studies Induction and Orientation Stage, the following course examinations, which may be repeated twice, must be completed satisfactorily:

  1. VO System Earth 1 (PM 1 lit. a / 2 hours / 4 ECTS-Credits)
  2. VO System Earth 2 (PM 1 lit. b / 2 hours / 3.5 ECTS-Credits)

(3) A positive result (passing grade) on the examinations specified in Paragraph 2 permits students to attend all courses and take all examinations following the Introduction and Orientation Phase for Students (STEOP) and to write a bachelor's thesis as described in the curriculum. The registration requirements specified by the curriculum must be met.

General Information

Recommended Course Sequence

The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.

The standard duration of the study programme is 6 semesters or 180 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).

First Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Solid Earth 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Mathematics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Physics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geography: Man and Environment

Second Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Solid Earth 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Chemistry and Geophysics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geology 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Cartography, Statistics

Third Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Petrology and Geochemistry
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mineralogy 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Earth History
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences

Fourth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geology 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Petrography 1
7.5 ECTS-Credits: The Alps and Europe
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Field Course 1

Fifth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Petrography 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Applied Geology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Mineralogy 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Seminar with Bachelor‘s Thesis 1

Sixth Semester »

7.5 ECTS-Credits: Geology 3
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Field Course 2
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Seminar with Bachelor’s Thesis 1

Graphic chart »

Recommended course sequence for Bachelor's Programme in Earth Science

Qualification Profile and Skills 

The goal of the Bachelor’s Programme Earth Sciences is to provide graduates in-depth and practical knowledge for occupational opportunities in this field. The bachelor’s programme offers a comprehensive insight into the aspects and processes of lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and anthroposphere. In combination with the two other bachelor’s programmes at the Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, the fundamentals of geo- and atmospheric sciences are imparted in common modules. Based on the contents of the first two semesters, students acquire a broad basic knowledge in mineralogy, petrology, geology and palaeontology. Due to the location of the University of Innsbruck in the midst of the Alps, the reference to the mountain region is a major issue of the education. The programme fosters „geological thinking“: Complex scientific connections in terms of space and time are to be elaborated and comprehended. With the two bachelor’s theses, students are able to independently elaborate, document and present selected issues in the field of earth sciences.

Expected Learning Outcomes 

Graduates are able to elaborate, evaluate and implement scientific developments in the fields of earth sciences and to apply them in interdisciplinary contexts.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

The Bachelor’s Programme Earth Sciences prepares students for a relevant master’s programme as well as careers beyond the academic area. Occupational fields of graduates are in the field of applied earth sciences (geology and mineralogy) as well as in planning offices and the environmental sector.

Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck

Information about the Programme (in German only)

Forms (in German only)

Contact and Information

Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d Piktogramm barrierefreier Zugang

Associate Dean of Studies (from 01.03.2024)
Ass.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Jasper Moernaut

Dean of Studies 
Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Gertraud Meißl

Information for students with disabilities

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