What is the impact of human intervention on nature? How can environmental problems be curbed and contaminated sites removed? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!
There are so many wonderful treasures around us, and yet people hardly ever notice them. There are so many little lifeforms wriggling right beneath our feet— significantly more than on the earth. The soil is not just part of the ground; it is the basis of our very existence and is subjected to increasing levels of stress from monocultures, roads, houses and over-pollution. As a result, the diversity within and between animal and plant species, ecosystems and agricultural regions is under threat.
The contaminated sites of mining companies and manufacturing industries are also posing significant challenges to society: How can contaminated areas be restored? Environmental protection concerns us all—but especially bio-geoscientists! After all, such problems can no longer be solved by individual disciplines like chemistry, geology or biology alone—we have to establish interdisciplinary networks.
If you enrol on the bachelor’s programme in ‘Biogeosciences’, you will take a close look at nature, the environment and related changes. Over the course of six semesters, you will acquire theoretical and practical skills in the basic subjects of mathematics and physics, as well as advanced training in chemistry. You will then be able to further develop your expertise with extensive theoretical and practical content from the fields of earth sciences (e.g. hydrogeology, environmental chemistry, soil science) und biosciences (e.g. limnology, microbiology).
The bachelor's degree is the first professional qualification. The standard period of study is a total of six semesters, during which various forms of courses (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical courses) are offered for the individual modules.
If you take a single-subject bachelor’s programme in ‘Biogeosciences’, your field of study will comprise 180 credits (ECTS for short; 1 ECTS = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations).
In addition to the range of courses offered at the University of Jena, students also have the opportunity to attend certain courses at the Jena University of Applied SciencesExternal link and integrate them in their own study plan.
Special emphasis is placed on practical skills, which can be acquired through a wide range of field trips during the study programme, allowing you to observe environmental processes in nature and gain a better understanding of them. A six-week vocational internship towards the end of your studies will also give you an insight into typical areas of employment and provide you with some contacts in the world of work.
How might your degree programme shape up?
Modules — semester
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Experimental Physics
8 ECTS
Mathematics
6 ECTS
Chemistry: Inorganic, Organic and Analytical Chemistry
Biology: Botany, Limnology General Ecology, Microbiology
5 ECTS
25 ECTS
Bio-Geo Interactions
5 ECTS
6 ECTS
Required elective modules*
30 ECTS
10 ECTS
Vocational Internship
8 ECTS
Bachelor’s Thesis
12 ECTS
Short form: ECTS = credit points (European Credit Transfer System)
* You can choose from around 30 optional modules in the areas of Earth Sciences and Biology at the University of Jena, and in the areas of Environmental and Energy Technology at the Jena University of Applied SciencesExternal link
Bio-geo interactions: You will be able to establish close connections between the areas of biosciences and earth sciences in courses created especially for the study programme.
Large selection of elective modules: Thanks to our teaching cooperation with the Jena University of Applied Sciences, you can also take vocational modules in the fifth semester (e.g. marketing, wastewater treatment, process engineering, environmental management).
Outstanding research: The relationships between plant diversity and ecosystem processes are being investigated in the Jena ExperimentExternal link, where artificially arranged grasslands are growing in trial plots on a ten-hectare site in the floodplains of the River Saale. The project is one of the world’s largest biodiversity experiments.
Integrated vocational internship: You can get an insight into typical areas of employment during a six-week internship.
Adventures abroad: You can easily realize your dream of completing a semester abroad. Our university has a global network of partner universities.
A look behind the scenes
As soon as you go out in the field, you will have to work in a team to dig, measure and collect soil samples.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
What can you do after your studies?
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
As bio-geoscientists have geoscientific and biological expertise, they combine two important disciplines in one person. Your vocational internship will help you make contacts, such as with engineering offices and environmental agencies.
Prof. Dr Thorsten Schäfer, Professor of Applied Geology
Areas of employment for graduates
water management, urban planning and environmental agencies
engineering offices for subsoil analysis, hydrogeology, clean-up of contaminated sites
interest in scientific issues and interdisciplinary thinking
good knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics
basic computer skills
Admission requirements
University entrance qualification
A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.
More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
Language requirements
The study programme is taught in German. You must therefore have a very good command of German at the start of the study programme.
Good proficiency in English is required. Students must submit evidence of their language skills (except German—see above) when registering the subject of their bachelor’s thesis at the latest.
Additional application documents for international students
CV
Please submit an up-to-date and complete CV in tabular form. Please provide full details regarding your schooling and academic education to date. You can find more information hereExternal link.
University entrance qualification certificate
Please upload the school certificate confirming your university entrance qualification to our application portal. You can find more information hereExternal link.
University degree certificate / previous periods of study
Please upload transcripts of records for all previous periods of study and degrees, as well as, if applicable, your degree certificate, to the portal.
Proof of German proficiency
Proof of sufficient German proficiency must be provided for all German-language degree programmes. The following certificates are recognized as proof of proficiency by Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
German Language Test for Admission to Higher Education, at least level 2 (DSH-2)
Goethe Certificate, C2 (GDS)
German Language Diploma, Level II of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (DSD II)
TestDaF, at least TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination
Telc German C1 University certificate (at least with the grade “satisfactory”)
German exam as part of the assessment test at a Studienkolleg
Please note: We strongly recommend that you submit the required proof of German proficiency at the time of your application.
If you do not yet have the required language certificate, you may apply for our DSH course starting from German level B1. This course ensures optimal language preparation and also gives you the opportunity to get to know Jena while benefiting from student status.
Translation of international application documents
A translation into German or English must be submitted for every application document that was not originally issued in German or English. These translations must be prepared by an authorized translation office.
APS certificate
Applicants with university degrees from India, Vietnam, or the People’s Republic of China must submit an APS certificate.
University entrance examination
Applicants from the following countries must provide proof of their university entrance examination:
Iran (university entrance examination or proof of a foundation year if the school-leaving certificate was obtained before 2019)
Republic of Korea/South Korea (Scholastic Ability Test)
Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.
Consultation hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).
