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The university-wide introduction week takes place during the last week before the lecture period begins, during which the faculties welcome their first-year students. Here you will find out everything worth knowing for your program of study and get to know your teaching staff. There are also campus tours, library tours, and a whole range of information events about student life.

The Institute of Geosciences offers the following Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree programs:

The B.Sc. Geosciences is an undergraduate program of study, meaning that special prior knowledge in the field of geosciences is not required.
In the first and second academic year, purely geoscientific topics (e.g., volcanism, regional geology, petrology, earth history, paleoclimate) are supplemented by basic science subjects (chemistry, mathematics, physics). The program is supported by practical events such as field trips, field exercises, and laboratory exercises.

After this geoscientific "basic training," a variety of required elective modules can be taken in the third academic year. These include exciting topics of specialization such as "Biomineralization," "Georesources / Geothermal Energy," or "Applied Paleontology." In addition, there are course offerings from our partner institutes Geography, Biology, Chemistry, and Meteorology.

Upon completion of the degree, students earn the internationally recognized Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and are thus trained geoscientists. With this professional title, graduates can either enter the job market directly or continue with a master's degree program – e.g., in Mainz.

Further information in the profile

The M.Sc. Geosciences is a consecutive degree program, meaning that a qualified bachelor's or master's degree must be held for enrollment. Degrees in related subjects (e.g., environmental sciences, geodesy, geography) may also be accepted subject to certain conditions.

The four-semester program of study is divided into a required and a required elective area. All students must participate in the "Field" module, whereas the second required module can be either "Paleoclimate" or "Lithosphere Dynamics" – according to the research units of the institute. A total of nine modules are available in the required elective area, four of which must be chosen. The teaching content of these offerings reflects the research units of the individual work groups.

The final master's thesis often relates to topics of specialization in the required elective area and usually lasts six months (including the oral defense). As in the bachelor's degree program, we have also ensured that we offer as much practical teaching content as possible in the master's. Right at the start of the program of study, students are away twice for 12 days as part of the "Field" module. In addition, most required elective modules include multi-day field and laboratory courses. To promote internationalization, some courses in the master's are offered in English. Additionally, we encourage and support our students to take a semester abroad or an internship abroad.

The master's program of study concludes with the internationally recognized Master of Science (M.Sc.). With this degree, most graduates enter the job market directly; however, it also offers the possibility of pursuing a doctorate.

Further information in the profile

In the program only from Winter Semester 2026/27:

In the Master's program Earth System Sciences – Solid Earth, Climate, and Environment, you choose one of the following specializations:

Environmental Sciences
Paleo Climate
Solid Earth Science
Quantitative Earth System Science

You will learn to analyze, model, and predict complex environmental and climate processes from a scientific perspective, focusing on the interactions between the atmosphere, solid Earth, and biosphere, and how these are changing in the wake of climate change.

The program is an interdisciplinary collaboration between the Institute of Geosciences and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics and opens up a holistic field of Earth system research. You choose one of the four areas of specialization above, but you can also take courses from other areas of specialization at the same time.

Academic advising and coordination, Faculty 08: Dr. Heiko Bozem

Further information in the profile

Volcanism

Regional Geology/Petrology

Regional Geology/Petrology - multi-day

Paleontology

Tectonics - multi-day

Sedimentology

Applied Paleontology

Field mapping - two-week

Exogenous geology field exercise - two-week

Endogenous geology field exercise - two-week

Isotope Geology - 10-day

Structural Geology - multi-day

Volcanic processes - one-week

Applied Geology - multi-day

Sedimentology

Volcanic Processes

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Developing earthquake early warning systems and searching for rare earths – geoscientists are among the most sought-after experts in a wide variety of professional fields. Many of the most pressing environmental issues today, such as sustainable raw material and energy production as well as drinking water provision in times of climate change, can only be solved with the involvement of "geo-specialists." Topics such as groundwater use, groundwater protection, the stability of high-rise buildings, sealing landfills, canal, rail, and road construction, and the remediation of environmental pollution in soil and water open up a wide field of activity for geoscientists in future-oriented professions with high social relevance.

But even beyond these highly topical issues, the professional spectrum of geoscientists is extremely versatile. Numerous geoscientists work in the construction industry, where they prepare subsoil reports.
Others work in the infrastructure or transport sector (e.g., at Deutsche Bahn) and carry out route planning, for example. Classic fields of activity also include material improvement (cement, ceramics) or raw material exploration for metals, gas, oil, coal, and salt. The international raw materials and energy sector – especially in the field of regenerative technologies (e.g., geothermal energy, hydropower) – is also recording steady growth and thus providing numerous employment opportunities. Our graduates also work in state offices, museums, industrial associations, or as specialists for georisks in insurance companies.
Another option is, of course – after successfully completing a doctorate – to pursue an academic career at a university or a research institute.

Within the ERASMUS program, cooperation agreements exist with a total of seven European institutes:

Reykjavik (Iceland)
Gothenburg (Sweden)
Graz (Austria)
Milan (Italy)
Rome (Italy)
Catania (Italy)
Barcelona (Spain)

Within the framework of ERASMUS, a study abroad period can be funded for a maximum of 12 months within an academic year. Application requirements for an ERASMUS grant are at least two completed academic semesters as well as enrollment for a regular degree in Geosciences.

The application deadline for a study abroad grant is January 31 for the following academic year. By this date, a corresponding application (CV, transcript of records, letter of motivation) must be submitted to the faculty coordinator Dr. Anton Popov (popov@uni-mainz.de).

Criteria for the selection of scholarship students are previous academic performance, language proficiency, professional competence, knowledge of the intended host country, and personal motivation. The evaluation takes place during an interview.

If you have further questions about a stay abroad, International@NULLNEUN can provide information.

There is also an interdisciplinary exchange program between the Scotland Hub of JGU and Glasgow University, Scotland.

Medical Certificate Form for proof of illness during examinations and final theses

Proposal to change required elective subject (B.Sc./M.Sc.)
Instructions for participating in field trips (B.Sc./M.Sc.)

JGU Mental Health Services for Students

Disadvantage compensation

As a body, the examination committee decides on all issues relating to examinations for the individual degree programs. The committee is composed of representatives from Group 1 (professors), Group 2 (students), Group 3 (academic staff members), and Group 4 (non-academic staff members).

Members of the examination committee:

Group 1: Prof. Bernd Schöne (Chairperson), Prof. Denis Scholz (Deputy), Prof. Evangelos Moulas, Prof. Roman Botcharnikov

Group 2: Luca Melber

Group 3: Dr. Klemens Seelos

Group 4: Eva Demuth

The student council, elected annually at the general assembly, acts as the democratic representation of the students of the faculty (= student body) and serves as the communication and mediation body between students and teaching staff/professors. The central place in the life of geosciences students in Mainz is the student council room. Here you can come with questions and suggestions, get to know and exchange ideas with students from higher semesters, or simply sit together comfortably on the couch with a cup of coffee. The student council organizes various events such as a first-year breakfast, a pub crawl, or the annual first-year weekend.

Internships at the BUND Nature Conservation Center Western Hegau (03-2026)

Download

Our info brochure "Geosciences" for download

Offerings for school kids, teachers & schools:
Taster studies, school field trips, and much more.

Institute of Geosciences
Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 21
55128 Mainz

how to find us

Paleoclimate Project incl. Scientific Writing