Field of study geophysics

Geophysics investigates the physical properties of the Earth, answering fundamental questions about its structure and the geodynamic processes on and in the Earth. The exploration of the subsurface, e.g. with seismic, electrical, magnetic or gravimetric methods, but also rock-physical measurements on site and in the laboratory as well as various simulation methods are important focal points of geophysical work.

Students during a field exercise
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Structure of the Master's program

The first section of the geophysics program consists of two semesters of courses (lectures, seminars, laboratory and field exercises) divided into three elective sections: Geophysics, Physics, and STEM (Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, and Natural Sciences including Geology and Mineralogy). The two following semesters conclude the program with a project and research module and the master's thesis.

An overview and description of the individual modules can be found under Module Overview and under Regulations & Module Catalog.

Special features of the geophysical studies in Jena

Large proportion and a wide range of practical training (laboratory practicals and field exercises)
Participation in current undergraduate research at the Moxa Geodynamic Observatory, the Thuringian Seismic Network, INFLUINSExternal link research project, etc.
Work in very well equipped laboratories
Large number and variety of geoscientifically interesting destinations in the immediate vicinity of Jena
Individual support
Interdisciplinarity with other subfields of geosciences (geology, mineralogy) possible
Students can compile the study content in the elective area according to their own interests
Studying at a comprehensive university offers a wide range of possibilities (also in other departments)
In the transdisciplinary physics elective, students take modules of at least 12 LP offered by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy. Here, students can take in-depth basic physics courses or more advanced physics courses, depending on their prior knowledge and interests. The courses offered by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy de are listed in the course catalogExternal link Friedolin. Within the framework of a student advisory service or during the introductory study days, recommendations are given as to which courses are interesting and useful. In the MINT elective section of the course catalog in Friedolin, the courses offered by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science as well as other natural science and technical courses can be researched.
The STEM area (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Technology) gives the student the opportunity to attend interdisciplinary courses in the other STEM sciences to the extent of at least 12 LP, depending on his or her own interests. This includes, for example, modules from the field of mathematics and (geo)computer science or subjects from other geoscientific disciplines such as hydrogeology, mineralogy, structural geology or general geology.
In the elective area of physics, courses from the fields of general geophysics, geodynamics and applied geophysics can be selected. Modules of 12 or 18 LP each are to be taken in the first two semesters. There is one major oral examination per semester in the geoscientific elective area, which tests knowledge from all courses taken.

For example, a course of study with a computer science, numerical focus might look like the following:

Master's program, major in geophysics, example of a course of studypdf, 283 kb · de

Prospects after graduation

Career opportunities for geophysicists include the following:

University and research institutes, geoscientific observatories
Geophysical exploration companies (mining, petroleum industry, geothermal energy)
Engineering offices, e.g. in the fields of subsoil investigations, seismic site safety, environmental protection
Federal and state geological institutes, environmental agencies or freelance (advisory function)
In related professions, e.g. as a physicist in industry or as a problem analyst in data processing