Master's Programme Geography:
Global Change - Regional Sustainability
| 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 066 855 |
| Curriculum | Information on the curriculum (2015W) * |
| Language of Instruction | German |
| Admission Requirements | Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates |
| Application |
* Information on the curriculum (2015W)
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 June 28 2019, Issue 66, No. 584 (modification of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 3 2015, Issue 62, No. 459
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
- Bachelor's Programme Geography
- Bachelor's Programme Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme. The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- will be updated shortly!
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).
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Global Change - Regional Sustainability
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Selected Topics of Man-Environment Relationships
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Theory and Strategies of Spatial Development
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Natural Processes in Mountain Areas
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Techniques for Geography
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Techniques for Geography
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Techniques for Geography
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Techniques for Geography
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced I
10.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced II
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced I > continue fourth semester
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced II > continue fourth semester
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module > continue fourth semester
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis > continue fourth semester
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced I
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module advanced II
5.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
12.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defense
Qualification Profile and Skills
The Master’s Programme Geography: Global Change – Regional Sustainability promotes analytical and integrative skills as well as network thinking at the interface between society and environment. The compulsory modules represent a framework of subject-specific, methodical and practical contents. In addition, the programme offers the ability to focus on the following subject areas: urban and regional development, development research, climate and cryospheric science as well as natural hazards research.
These subjects are being extended and completed by elective modules. Regardless of the elected field of specialisation, students are able to scientific work according to international standards, to plan and implement field works, organize and manage projects as well as to proceed in a target- and result-oriented manner.
With a wide-ranging geographical and interdisciplinary training, the study programme conveys subject-specific and methodical skills to elaborate responsible solution strategies in managing complex issues, with special attention to teamwork skills. Students are encouraged to practice and specialise in presentation skills, scientific writing as well as the leading of work groups and discussions.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the field of geography. They are able to analyse geography-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 Geography: Global Change – Regional Sustainability range from engineering and planning offices, relevant economic fields as well as NGOs and public service.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
Supplementary Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 45 ECTS-Credits or 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-entrepreneurship/
- 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 |
34.7 |
 |
= 100% |
|
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
35.3 |
||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
18.5 |
||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum cirteria |
11.5 |
||
| 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)
- Examination Records
- 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
- Submission of the Master's Thesis
- To block the Master's Thesis
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Recognitions (in German only)
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Innrain 52d 
Dean of Studies
ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Kurt Nicolussi