Geoecology: Qualification goals

The KIT is committed to research-oriented scientific education. Our courses of study are intended to train people who not only have expert knowledge, but who also apply their knowledge independently and critically for the solution of problems. Geoecologists help to solve environmental problems. To this end, they have the appropriate scientific and methodological training. They also take social and ethical aspects into account.

As environmental science, geoecology is based on knowledge from biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics as well as on specialist knowledge of soil science, botany, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, climatology, ecology, environmental chemistry, vegetation science and zoology. All of this is combined to form a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem processes. This is complemented by methodological skills in programming, statistics, GIS, remote sensing, environmental analysis and planning.

That' s the basis. Starting from this, the aim is to learn how to apply such knowledge and understanding in professional practice. This includes identifying gaps in knowledge and, if applicable, research questions, choosing suitable methods for problem elimination, e.g. from field methods, programming, statistics, geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, environmental analysis and planning. This also includes organising projects and, finally, communicating the work and its results.

All this results in a competence profile that is in demand in many environment-related professional fields. Typical occupational fields include the areas of environment, sustainable land use and ecosystem management. Our graduates work in administration and politics, industry and commerce, engineering and planning offices and in associations.

The 6-semester Bachelor's programme in Geoecology teaches the technical and methodological basics. The 4-semester Master's programme in Geoecology, which usually follows, is entirely geared towards developing skills for independently solving environmental issues. A problem-oriented approach in teaching serves this purpose. However, the master's program also offers an opportunity for specialization in the numerous elective modules in which the broad spectrum of subjects at KIT is fully reflected.

If you want to know more about the learning objectives in B.Sc. / M.Sc. Geoecology, you will find all details (down to the individual module) in the module manuals.