Master's Programme Earth Science
As of winter semester 2021/2022 this programme is no longer open to new entrants. For information on the succeeding master’s programme please consult this page »
| Faculty | Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences |
| Duration / ECTS-Credits | 4 semesters / 120 ECTS-Credits |
| Academic Degree |
Master of Science (MSc) |
| Qualification Level |
Master (Second Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7 |
| ISCED-F | 0532 Earth Sciences |
| Mode of Study |
Full-Time |
| Study Code |
UC 066 815 |
| Curriculum | Information on the Curriculum (2007W) * |
| Language of Instruction | German |
| Admission Requirements |
Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates |
* Information on the Curriculum (2007W)
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)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 16 2019, Issue 3, No. 32 (amendment of the curriculums)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 66, No. 583 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2008, Issue 1, No. 3 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 27 2007, Issue 45, No. 211
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
- Bachelor's Programme in Earth Science
- Bachelor's Programme in Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences
Criteria for the determination of equivalence:
Admission to the master's degree programme may also be possible if a student has completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant related field. As part of the determination of equivalence, the following core areas of the completed bachelor's degree programme will be assessed:
- 15 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Geological Field Work and Cartography
- 7.5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Mineralogy
- 7.5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Petrology
- 7.5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Petrography and Microscopy
In the event that equivalence has been established in principle but with certain qualifications missing for full equivalence, supplemental examinations may be required. These examinations must be completed during the master degree programme.
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 4 semesters or 120 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).
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Regional Geology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Analytical Techniques
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Tectonics
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Metamorphic and Magmatic Rocks
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis › continue fourth semester!
› 12.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence
Qualification Profile and Skills
The Master's Programme Earth Sciences is aimed at graduates of the Bachelor's Programme Earth and Atmosphere Sciences and students with a comparable bachelor's degree. The programme offers a study duration of two years with in-depth knowledge of earth sciences with the ability to focus on geology or mineralogy-petrology reflecting current developments in core areas of earth sciences in an international context. The programme comprises five compulsory modules and eight elective modules. Students learn the meaning of scientific research including goal and results-oriented approaches; and in the course of their master's thesis, they learn how to independently manage a project.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the field of geology and mineralogy/petrology. They are able to analyse earth-related issues with scientific methods and thus to measure, interpret and evaluate solutions to problems and to apply them in interdisciplinary contexts.
Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities
The career fields for graduates of the Master's Programme Earth Sciences are diverse, ranging from a scientific career, to careers in construction, the environmental sector, the detection of raw materials, or the mining and chemical industries.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
Supplementary Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/
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 |
33 |  |
= 100% |
|
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
36.3 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
20.7 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria |
10 | ||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
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).
Information about the Programme (in German only)
Forms (in German only)
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Assessment of the compulsory module: Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
- Cover Sheet for the Master's Thesis
- Declaration of Academic Honesty
- Examination Records (from October 1 2019)
Examination Records - Recognition of exams AND Supplementary Sheet
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
- To block the Master's Thesis
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d 
Associate Dean of Studies
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Roland Stalder
Dean of Studies
Ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Kurt Nicolussi