Applied & Environmental Geoscience (AEG) University of Tübingen

AEG stands for the following:

• a modern, interdisciplinary curriculum at one of the largest and renowned institutes of geosciences and environmental sciences
• a highly motivated staff and excellent study conditions in an international environment
• research and studies in working groups with many contacts to universities abroad

AEG is an international research-oriented study programme that focuses on the evaluation and solution of environmental problems. Special emphasis is placed on problems in the subsurface such as the pollution of drinking water supplies, the non-sustainable use of natural resources, and the impact of climate and land-use change on soil and water quality.
Finding solutions to such issues requires a comprehensive understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms under natural conditions. AEG offers an approach to these mechanisms based on an in-depth knowledge of classical natural sciences combined with the utilisation of modern technology. The study programme covers the essential fields of hydrogeology, environmental modelling, environmental chemistry and environmental microbiology as well as environmental physics.

The programme is designed for students interested in a graduate education in environmental geosciences following multidisciplinary approaches. A good background in mathematics, chemistry, and physics is required. Undergraduate training in geosciences or environmental sciences is helpful but not requested. Capabilities of independent problem solving are important and will be further developed within the educational programme.

Three areas of specialisation allow an individual study focus on the following:

• Hydrogeology
• Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Microbiology
• Environmental Physics

AEG is a two-year programme, beginning each winter semester. It consists of a suite of five compulsory modules, ten elective modules, and a Master's thesis.

The first semester with the compulsory modules in "Groundwater Modelling 1", "Environmental Chemistry", and "Global Change" introduces students to the necessary theoretical and quantitative aspects of environmental and applied geosciences. The following semesters allow students an individual focus in one of three areas of specialisations with three mandatory classes for each specialisation:

• Hydrogeology: "Groundwater Modelling 2", "Hydrogeological Field Investigation Techniques", "Remediation of Contaminated Sites"
• Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Microbiology: "Biotransformation of Pollutants", "Hydrogeochemical Modelling", "Environmental Analytical Chemistry"
• Environmental Physics: "Physics of the Earth's Surface", "Atmospheric Physics", "Climate Dynamics"

Further elective classes can be chosen from the other specialisations or as further immersion within the chosen specialisation (e.g. specialised lab courses).

In the "Scientific Practice" and "Scientific Presentation" compulsory modules, students gain additional practical interdisciplinary skills and benefit from close interaction with staff and research groups as well as from an early start of the Master's thesis in the third semester.

Internships are not required.

A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in geology, geoecology, environmental sciences, geophysics, mineralogy, physical geography, soil science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, civil engineering or in another subject related to environmental sciences.

The Bachelor's curriculum must have included courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Enrolment fees at the University of Tübingen are currently approx. 200 EUR per semester. This includes use of local public transport free of charge on Mondays to Fridays in the evening, at weekends and on public holidays. In addition, students may purchase a semester ticket for unlimited use of public transport in the city of Tübingen and the surrounding area (currently approx. 160 EUR).

Estimated basic student expenses are around 1,000 EUR per month according to the Tübingen Student Services organisation (“Studierendenwerk”), including rent for student accommodation. Rent for private accommodation will be more expensive.

Students may find jobs as graduate research assistants in projects at the Geo- and Environmental Research Centre (GUZ).

Accommodation is available through the Student Services organisation ("Studierendenwerk") or on the private market. Rooms in a student dorm cost approx. 280-480 EUR per month. As Tübingen is a very attractive place to live, private accommodation is more expensive and can take some effort to find. To make sure you find a suitable place to live, you should start looking as early as possible.

We recommend you apply for student accommodation through the "Studierendenwerk" immediately after you have been admitted to the Master's programme. For further information, see: https://www.my-stuwe.de/en/housing/halls-of-residence-tuebingen.

Innovative – interdisciplinary – international: These three words summarise what makes the University of Tübingen special. Excellent research and teaching are Tübingen's answer to the challenges of the future in a globalised world. We maintain exchanges with partners around the globe. Networks and cooperation across faculty and subject boundaries are the pillars of our successful strategy. This is reflected in our good position in international rankings. In addition, we are one of the eleven German universities distinguished with the title of "excellent."

Founded in 1477, the University of Tübingen has been a place of top-level research and excellent teaching for almost 550 years. Some 28,500 students from Germany and around the world are enrolled here in our more than 200 study programmes, including numerous international programmes taught entirely in English.

The University of Tübingen is a member of the European University Alliance “CIVIS – A European Civic University” (https://civis.eu/en), offering a wide range of special exchange opportunities for students.

The Department of Geosciences is among the largest geoscience departments in Germany and comprises a wide spectrum of research fields, which is reflected by numerous national and international research activities. The research area Geo- and Environmental Sciences comprises of 27 work groups in the classical geoscientific disciplines and in environmental sciences.

In the new building, which opened in 2020, the Geo- and Environmental Research Centre (GUZ) offers extensive laboratory facilities with state-of-the-art experimental and analytical equipment as well as modern field investigation and monitoring equipment.

Tübingen...

• is located in south-western Germany, about 40 kilometres south of Stuttgart.
• has some 92,000 inhabitants. The town’s many students and its numerous young families make Tübingen Germany’s youngest city by average age.
• is one of the most coveted places to study in Germany – both because of the excellent conditions for students and researchers, and the unique charm of the town.
• boasts a renowned historic centre with many cafés, restaurants, shops, and outstanding cultural activities.
• is a very safe place to be, with excellent public transport.
• is well known for its eco-friendly attitudes.
• is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The Black Forest and the Swabian Jura hills are not far away and provide excellent opportunities for climbing, canoeing, hiking, biking – and skiing in winter.