Trial study

You are interested in the Bachelor's program in Biogeosciences and would like to get a taste of the courses?

We recommend the following courses to get to know the study program.

In winter semester

  • Bio-Geo Interactions I (Bachelor)

    Bio-Geo Interactions I (Bachelor)

    The relationships between geosciences, biology and chemistry are presented. Starting from the geosubstrate, the modes of action of organisms in the mineralization of soil organic matter and in plant nutrition are taught. The structure and physiology of plants are the basis for the transport of substances from the soil matrix to the food chain.

  • Hydrogeology I (Bachelor)

    Hydrogeology I (Bachelor)

    Exogenous and endogenous global water cycles, supply, recharge, and consumption of groundwater, water balance equations, their input variables, and their measurement are taught practically. Physical basics of modeling. Pore, karst and fissure aquifers are introduced. Material properties, state variables and their changes in time and space are discussed, and the fundamentals of fluid motion are developed. The principles and methods of hydrogeochemistry and major processes of water-rock interactions are taught. The material composition as well as the properties of groundwater as a result of biogeochemical, physicochemical and hydraulic processes are elaborated. The sampling of natural and contaminated aquifers is presented in a problem- and practice-oriented manner.

  • Introduction to the science of soils (Bachelor)

    Introduction to the science of soils (Bachelor)

    The introduction to soil science covers from a natural science point of view: functions of soils, mineral and organic inventory, basic processes, properties and interrelationships from the subfields of soil physics, soil chemistry and soil biology. Structure, water balance, solute transport and solute transformations in soils.

  • Limnology I (Bachelor)

    Limnology I (Bachelor)

    Water is the crucial medium that mediates between the geologically determined properties of the soil and the plants as the basal trophic level of the biotic communities. At the same time, standing and flowing water bodies represent a highly complex and important habitat in which essential processes of matter turnover take place. As a result, the water habitat and the biotic communities found in it are affected to a high degree by material environmental pollution, with microorganisms taking a central position. The module teaches the basics of the subject and introduces the special features of polluted waters. In the exercises, tasks on the chemistry of aqueous solutions and natural waters are worked on.

In summer semester

  • Introduction to Applied Geology (Bachelor)

    Introduction to Applied Geology (Bachelor)

    Engineering geology and raw materials geology represent the most important areas of applied geology along with hydrogeology. Groundwater exploration, extraction, and protection are the focus of hydrogeology. Engineering geology provides basic knowledge of the mechanical properties of the geological subsurface as a prerequisite for the construction of structures. Raw materials geology deals with the exploration and development of deposits. The contents of applied geology are deepened in a practical way by means of field excavations and company visits.

  • advanced soil science (master)

    advanced soil science (master)

    Soil formation, soil systematics, soil ecology and pedological site survey. Processes and factors of soil formation; soil development series; soil types and soil forms. Regional soil science. Soil as an essential component of terrestrial ecosystems and components of landscapes. Practical basics of soil and site geography according to the soil mapping manual in the current version (KA5 and following). Introduction to field soil science. Practical profile approach. Creation of soil profile pits, drill stick mapping, soil trenching and probing techniques, preparation of drilling logs.

  • Botany (Bachelor)

    Botany (Bachelor)

    Changes in vegetation composition are an important indicator of environmental pressures, as plants provide an integrating representation of the material influences from the soil or soil water. Therefore, the analysis and assessment of plant communities is an important tool for environmental assessment. The lecture covers the topics of plant structure and function, ecophysiology, systematics, vegetation science, range science, evolution and biodiversity of plants. The practical course focuses on the identification of plants and plant communities, presentation of important habitats with their species inventory, analysis of site conditions (abiotic and biotic factors, influence of land use) and plants as environmental indicators.