Applied Geosciences M.Sc. - RWTH AACHEN UNIVERSITY (2024)

The geosciences make an important contribution to the sustainable use of the Earth’s resources which include rocks, minerals and ores, oil and natural gas, water and geothermal energy. They are also involved in using underground areas as subsoil and excavation volume. The geosciences include:

• the exploration and extraction of fossil and renewable energy sources such as oil, natural gas, coal and geothermal energy in the deep underground
• research into the development und structure of mineral deposits
• research into the structure and characteristics of minerals for the manufacturing of new minerals
• research into the interaction between subsoil and construction
• prediction of landslides and rock deformation, e.g. when building major tunnels and dams
• exploitation and sustainable use of groundwater
• analysis of geodynamic processes which lead to strong earthquakes, among others
• determining rock deformation as a result of massive forces in the interior of the earth.

Aspects of the Aachen Program

The geosciences program in Aachen offers a unique combination of engineering geology and hydrogeology with geophysics as the concentration. Furthermore, Aachen is a leading institution for the study of deposits with regard to energy raw materials and mineral raw materials. The third concentration relates to promising and applied tasks in mineralogy and crystallography. The specific academic profile offered in Aachen provides graduates with excellent training that enables them to meet professional requirements.

How the Geosciences Differ from Related Programs

The program has taken basic physics, mathematics and chemistry to build a geosciences program with a natural science focus. Compared to the programs “Georesource Management“ and “Applied Geography”, the Applied Geosciences program conveys in-depth knowledge about the construction, dynamics and the chemistry of the Earth and about chemistry, physics and mathematical methods to solve complex, geoscientific tasks.

You can find more information about the course of study on the division´s website.

Degree Content

The training of the students is geared in such a way so students acquire skills and abilities in applying the understanding of the geosciences system for future societal tasks, building on a strong basis which includes knowledge in chemistry, mathematics and physics. Through its compulsory modules the program blends various disciplines in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy and crystallography. Electives facilitate the further professional specialization in one of the geoscience branches.

In the Master’s program the three disciplines in the geosciences Bachelor’s program are dealt with more intensely:

Prerequisites

The prerequisite for admission to the program is an initial university degree. The required academic background is described in the exam regulations. The determination on whether or not the admissions requirements are met is made by the examination board.

You can find more information about the prerequisites on the divisions website.

Career Prospects

There are numerous career fields, and based on the fact that the program is application-oriented and aligned quantitatively the career opportunities are good. The Applied Geosciences are involved in the following branches at home and abroad:

• Industry of raw material extraction and processing (oil, natural gas, coal, geothermal energy, ores, precious metals, construction materials and much more)
• Environmental protection
• Civil engineering and building construction, especially tunnel construction, dam construction and foundation measures of large buildings
• Landfill technology
• New materials (refractories, smart materials, ceramics, glass, etc.)
• Crystal growing
• Development and protection of groundwater resources
• Software branch
• Development, manufacturing and distribution of analytical devices
• Government offices, state authorities and municipal institutions
• Research institutions and universities
• Museums

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

Departments and Faculties

The Maters's course of study Applied Geosciences is offered by the Division of Earth Sciences and Geography in the Faculty of Georesources and Materials Engineering.