Structure of study
The qualification of the students aims at the acquisition of competence in the use of geoscientific system understanding for social future tasks, building on a strong basis of chemical, mathematical and physical knowledge. Through its compulsory modules, the programme combines the various disciplines of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, mineralogy and crystallography. On this basis, in-depth elective modules enable students to specialise further in one of the geological fields.
An outstanding characteristic of geoscientific education in Aachen is an application-oriented profile development, which already starts in the bachelor course and can be continued in the master's degree. Aachen's geosciences offer a unique combination of engineering geology and hydrogeology with geophysics as the main focus "Geoengineering". Furthermore, they are a leading location for deposit theory with regard to both energy resources and mineral resources. This orientation is reflected in the branch "Energy and Mineral Resources. The third main focus - Applied Mineralogy & Crystallography - is related to promising and applied tasks in the field of geomaterials research. The specific Aachen knowledge profile prepares graduates to a high degree for professional requirements.
In the first year of the bachelor's programme, the scientific basis in the fields of mathematics, physics and chemistry are taught, and a first introduction to the system earth and its building materials, rocks and minerals is given. This program is accompanied by field seminars, which continue in the second year of study. This is followed by a thorough introduction to various disciplines of the earth sciences. In the final third year of the bachelor's programme, the characteristic specialisation in one of the three application-oriented profile directions takes place:
- Geoengineering
- Applied Mineralogy & Crystallography
- Energy & Mineral Resources
The bachelor thesis concludes the study in the 6th semester. A job-related and study-related internship of 4 weeks outside of the university is mandatory. It is possible to spend a semester abroad at one of our European or non-European partner universities (e.g. in the ERASMUS programme) during the Bachelor's programme.