Man, Climate and Environment (M.Sc.)

Overview

Titelbild Mensch-Klima-Umwelt, M.Sc.

: Picture: Michael Zysman/123rf.com

Overview: Content

In order to understand the challenges of climate and environmental change and its complex effects on society, we require a broad professional education that combines concepts of the fields of humanities and natural sciences. Networked thinking and research are central qualifications for dealing with the increasing complexity of these social issues.

What socio-economic lessons can be learned from previous changes in the environment or the climate? What effect does climate change have on the earth system and how can we estimate future developments taking climate projections into consideration? How can we identify the resilience of ecosystems or societies to external environmental factors? Only interdisciplinary approaches can provide answers to these questions. This Master's programme therefore integrates both a thourough study of physical-geographical processes in the field of climate and environment and - building on this - anthropogeographical studies that address social adaptation, as well as geographical conflict and development research.

Incorporating this theoretical framework, practical work methods will be taught as well. You will collect your own data during field research, in the laboratory or on computer models and evaluate it using geographical information systems, geostatistical methods and methods of empirical social research. The project studies enable you to work in a problem-oriented manner in current research fields and to set individual priorities, always in close exchange with the lecturers. In line with current research projects at the institute, you will have the opportunity to gather research practice in Germany and abroad and to deepen regional interests.

Although the four-semester programme is mainly research-oriented, the consistent use of synergies in the courses also enables a focus with a labour market perspective. Networking opportunities between research and practice can already be used during the course of studies to prepare for a successful entry into national and international labour markets of geography. In addition to a further academic qualification, the possible job profiles include environmental and climate protection, geo-information services, development cooperation and the growing field of corporate social responsibility.

Regular study period

Regular period of study

4 semesters - 120 credit points

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition of degree programme

The Master's degree programme consists of a total of 17 modules, 14 of which are on subject content in the subject areas of human-climate-environment. Credit points (CP) are defined, credited and awarded on the basis of the ECTS system. Modules amounting to 18 CP are studied in the chosen reference subjects. You can choose modules from the subjects Political Science, Sociology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Environmental Management, Transition Management or Agricultural Economics.

Modules

1. Semester	CP	2. Semester	CP
Introductory Module Man-Climate-Environment	6	three projects to choose from: Palaeoclimate, Palaeoenvironment & Geoarchaeology Models, from code to processes and applications Local Geography Climate change and developments in the Global South	3x6
Advanced Geo Statistics	6	General Skills: Lernen durch Lehre	6
GIS	6	Reference subject module	6
General Skills: Science and Scientific Communication	6
Reference subject module	6

3. Semester	CP	4. Semester	CP
Independent Studies	9	Thesis	30
Professional internship	9
General Skills: Freely selectable module	3
Thesis preparation seminar	3
Reference subject module	6

Application

Application

Commencement of studies

Winter semester, admission to the summer semester is possible after consultation with the chairman of the examination board.

Admission requirements

The following Bachelor's degree is recognised for admission to the Master's programme:

Bachelor's degree in Geography from a German university.

The examination board may recognise other (also foreign) courses of study as equivalent, e.g. with a focus on geology, geoecology, climatology, sociology, political science or environmental management, after examining individual cases and grant the admission subject to conditions, if necessary.

Application / Enrolment

The admission for this study programme is not restricted.
The application must be received by the Registrar's Office of JLU by 15.01. for the summer semester and by 15.07. for the winter semester. Please note that extensions of deadlines may be decided upon. These will be published in the application portal.

Different rules may apply to international applicants. More...

Please note:
The application for winter semester 2020/21 must be received by 30.09.2020 studium/bewerbung/portal

Career Options

Career Options

Career options

The main employers are the different levels of the public sector as well as a wide range of different companies in the private sector (see overview). In addition, there are numerous geographers who work on a freelance basis in one of the fields listed below.