Master’s Programme Earth Sciences
Do you want to better understand processes below the Earth's surface and be able to find and interpret sings of the climate of past times?
Which processes take place below the Earth’s surface? How often do earthquakes occur? Where do you find signs of the climate of past geolocial times? What influences the properties and quality of ceramics?
The students of the Master’s Degree Programme in Earth Sciences develop further competencies in the analysis of geo-relevant materials and data. Students may choose an individual focus in applied areas (e.g. engineering geology, hydrogeology, natural hazards, ceramic materials) and theoretic disciplines (e.g. climate reconstruction, geochronology, geodynamics, petrology).
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UC 066 815
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The graduates have specialised knowledge in selected areas of the disciplines in earth sciences. They are able to contribute their technical and methodical competence in the area of their specialisation and at the interfaces to other areas in earth sciences through scientifically correct work and innovative problem solving.
The Master’s Programme in Earth Sciences is aimed at graduates of the Bachelor’s Programme in Earth Sciences and at graduates of comparable Bachelor’s programmes. A two-year geological training is offered and the possibility to focus on (1) Alpine Geology, (2) Quaternary Geology and Applied Geology, (3) Petrology and Geochemistry, (4) Materials and Raw Materials, specialisations that reflect current developments in the core areas of earth sciences in an international context. Altogether 3 compulsory modules covering 15 ECTS-Credits, as well as elective modules covering 80 ECTS-Credits are to be passed.
Regardless of the chosen specialisation, students learn to conduct scientific research, to proceed in a goal- and result-oriented manner and to work on a project-related basis within the scope of their Master’s Thesis.
The occupational fields for graduates of the Master’s Programme in Earth Sciences are diverse and range from construction, the environmental sector, various branches of industry (raw materials, building materials, glass, ceramics, refractory and chemical industries) to work in scientific institutions and museums and authorities.
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From the field
580,000 Years of Climate History Revealed
An international research team led by Christoph Spötl from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, has compiled an extraordinary climate reconstruction based on data from a cave in Nevada, USA. The study provides unique insights into the climate history of one of the driest regions in North America – and shows how closely temperature, water availability, and vegetation are linked in arid regions.
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