Master's program in Environment and Georesources Management

Study geology, earth sciences, natural resources, and sustainability in an interdisciplinary program: energy resources, geothermal energy, water supplies, minerals, and soils - the Earth’s resources form the foundation of the economy, energy supply, and social development. At the same time, we must protect the soil, subsurface, and natural habitats, secure supply chains, and respect ecological limits. In the study program Environment and Georesource Management at KIT, you will address precisely these challenges: you will combine geosciences, engineering, economics and environmental law in a forward-oriented program with a focus on sustainability, the circular economy, and responsible resource management.

 

Sustainable Management of Georesources: between Mining, Recycling, and Climate Protection. The development and use of georesources - from traditional raw materials and energy resources to groundwater - requires in-depth knowledge of geology and the geosciences. At the same time, economic conditions, global supply chains, social acceptance, environmental and mining laws, and political governance play a central role - all of which you will explore during your studies.

 

The key challenges include:

• sustainable raw material security and responsible mining
• transforming linear value chains into a circular economy and promoting recycling
• assessing and managing climate and environmental change
• protecting soil, subsoil and water resources
• risk management for natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and tsunamis

 

This program is a great fit for you if you're interested in topics such as sustainable resource management, the energy transition, the circular economy or environmental and spatial planning, and want to play an active role in shaping them.

 

Typical academic backgrounds include earth sciences, geoecology, environmental engineering, mineral resources engineering as well as environmental or resource management or related natural science or engineering programs.

 

In the master’s program, you will delve into core topics in environmental and georesource management through required courses and set your own academic focus by choosing a specialization - Energy and Raw Materials Management or Environmental Management. Within your specialization, you’ll have access to numerous elective modules that allow you to tailor your studies flexibly, for example in geoinformatics, raw material exploration and evaluation, energy and energy economics or circular economy and recycling. You can also delve deeper into topics such as water, environmental change, legal and economic frameworks or spatial planning, thereby developing your personal skill set.

 

Compulsory (30 CP)

• Geoscientific Methods
• Economics
• Law
• Planning - Implementation - Optimization

 

Compulsory Electives (choose one specialization, 60 CP)

• Specialization: Energy and Raw Materials Management
• Specialization: Environmental Management

 

The standard period of study of the program is four semesters, during which you will earn a total of 120 ECTS credits. In addition, you have the opportunity to take additional modules as part of the program’s elective offerings and broaden your academic horizons.

 

At the end of your studies, you will complete your master's thesis (30 CP). The master's thesis takes 6 months to complete. You can start it as soon as you have achieved 70 CP.

The study program does not include a compulsory internship. You can complete a voluntary internship during your studies. If it serves the objectives of your studies and covers at least half of the lecture period, you can apply for a semester off (leave of absence). Such an internship offers you valuable experience outside the university and can make it easier for you to start your career later on.

KIT offers a wide range of options for studying abroad, from individual courses to a year abroad in Europe and overseas. If you’re interested in a longer stay abroad, contact the International Students Office early on—or the KIT-Department of Civil Engineering, Geo- and Environmental Sciences directly—to learn about outgoing opportunities.

Information on requirements for admission and university entrance qualifications as well as language prerequisites can be found on the KIT website for this degree program.