Geosciences (B.Sc.)

The most important facts at a glance:

Degree:

Bachelor of Science (Single-subject Bachelor)

Standard period of studies:

6 semesters

Start:

Winter and summer semester
Applicants with foreign certificates: Language of instruction: German
Required language certificate: DSH-2
Required course for the Assessment Test (Feststellungsprüfung):
T-/TI- or T- or M-Course. To find out if you are required to take the Assessment Test, check your Certificate of Recognition.

Admission restrictions:

Open admission

Application:

You find information on the application procedure for international students here.

Deadlines:

Please keep in mind that you need a certification of recognition for all foreign certificates. The recognition process takes up to six weeks and the certificate must be included in your application.

Winter semester: June 1 - September 1

Summer semester: December 1 - March 1

If you combine a Two-subject Bachelor whose admission is open with one whose is restricted, the deadlines are:

Winter semester: June 1 - July 15

Summer semester: December 1 - January 15

Master:

Geosciences (M.Sc.)

Homepage:

Institute of Geoscience

Faculty:

Faculty 09: Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Geosciences

Accreditation:

The accreditation of study programmes for Bachelor and Master Degrees constitutes as a precondition for the granting of state approval.

Subject Matter

Geosciences at Mainz University focus on contemporary issues relating to the earth: Environmental issues, water pollution control, stability of building structures, climate research, earthquake risk assessment, sea-level fluctuations. In addition to applied questions, basic research is also actively carried out on the earth system. Key words include mountain formation, structure of the earth, chemistry of rocks, fossils, and gemstones.

Geoscience (geology/mineralogy/palaeontology) is the science of the earth and its rocks, minerals and stretches of water. Geologists investigate the history of rocks right back to the beginnings of our planet, as well as environmental developments over the past decades, the history of the climate over the past few centuries since the last ice age, and why dinosaurs became extinct. They understand how sediments are transported and form into rocks, what the earth is like today, what it looked like in the past, and what it will look like in the future, with all its oceans, continents, lakes, mountains, and valleys. They understand where and why volcanoes form, and they predict when volcanoes will erupt in future.

Geosciences is an extremely diverse course, as geoscientists require an understanding of the chemistry of rocks and bodies of water, the physics of earthquakes and continental drifts, how life develops, the structures of gemstones, as well as construction materials and the impact of rain and snow on the mountains.

Geoscientists perform an important function in society: Groundwater usage, groundwater protection, stability of high-rise buildings, the sealing-off of waste disposal sites, canal, rail and road construction, and the treatment of environmental pollution in the ground and water are all aspects that offer a wide range of options for future-oriented professions. There are also the traditional tasks such as material improvement (cement, ceramics), raw materials exploration for metals, gas, oil, coal and salt, and work in museums. Modern geologists still use the hammer, but now combine it with modern tools such as mass spectrometers, electron microscopes, and information technology for data management.

At Mainz University, gemmology can be selected as a focus area, and an additional option covering regional topics in Rhineland-Palatinate is also available.

Information

The International Office offers counselling for international students about the application process and general information.

The Academic Advisory Office offers specific information on the subject (List available in German only).

The Student representatives give information from a student perspective (List available in German only).