Major in Geology
The Major in Geology introduces students to concepts and techniques to investigate the various properties of rocks and minerals and understanding the active processes on planet Earth.
Specific learning goals are:
- To gain detailed knowledge of various analytical methods to characterise Earth or planetary materials.
- To understand the relationships between geological structures, forces and deformation rates that operate during tectonic
activity. - To understand and reconstruct the evolution of climate and life on Earth through geological time.
- To understand how physical, chemical and biological processes control sediment production, transport and deposition.
- To explore the interactions between organisms and their environment on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales.
Modules and courses
Different modules and courses allow for a high degree of individualisation.
From the three required modules within the Major in Geology the module Analytical Methods in Earth Sciences is mandatory and students are obliged to select two out of the four modules:
- Structural Geology
- Palaeoclimatology
- Sedimentology
- Biogeochemistry
A fourth module can be chosen from the all modules of the Master's degree programme in Earth Sciences.
Master's thesis
The Master‘s thesis is a project on a research topic, which allows you to apply and deepen your knowledge in a specific area like tectonics, sedimentary or quaternary geology, biogeosciences, palaeoclimatology and palaeoceanography or biogeochemistry. It also allows you to combine field work with modelling and/or laboratory work.
Topics of recent Master's theses
“What is the glaciers’ response to climate change?” – Calculating the thickness of all glaciers in the world.
“What are the interactions between tectonic activity and the geomorphological evolution of the Earth's surface?” – Constraining Central Himalayan Fault Geometries from Bedrock River Morphologies and Isotopic Proxies for Erosion Rate.
“Are there biosignatures of microbial activity in the rock record that can be used to detect life on Mars?” – Macroscopic Biosignatures of Microbial Activity and its Fossilisation Potential.
