Geology Schools and Programs in Germany

Geology Studies in Germany

Are you a student of geology who has always dreamed about studying abroad—about studying and living for a semester or year in a country like Germany?  If so, you may be happy to learn that there are now many programs available that will enable you to study geology in a German university while simultaneously earning credits towards your undergraduate or graduate degree.
 
Germany, or in official circles, the Federal Republic of Germany, is a federal parliamentary republic located in the west-central portion of the European continent.  The nation, which covers an area of just over 357,000 square kilometers (138, 847 square miles), is home to some 81 million people, making it the most populous nation in Western Europe and the most populous member nation in the European Union. 
 
Germany is a very wealthy nation, boasting the world’s fourth-largest economy as measured by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the fifth-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity.  Germany is the major political and economic powerhouse of the European continent, and as a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is the world’s second-largest exporter and third-largest importer of goods.  To maintain its position as a global economic, political and cultural leader, the country relies on graduates from its excellent system of higher education, a system that is consistently ranked among the best in the world for the quality of its degree programs and faculty.
 
Geology Education in Germany
 
As a program of study, Geology is offered by the majority of major German universities at both the undergraduate and graduate level.  Undergraduate programs in the discipline, which lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology, generally span three years or 180 credits (under the new system), while graduate programs, which lead to a Master of Science degree in Geology, usually take 2 additional years to complete, or an extra 120 credits of advanced coursework.
 
Courses in geology leading to a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree provide opportunities for research and specialization (including surface and subsurface) in all of the following areas:
 
• Structural geology, structural petrology, and tectonics
• Sedmentology, sedimentary petrology, environmental geochemistry, and diagenesis
• Invertebrate paleontology, paleoecology, and modern carbonate environments
• Petroleum geology and stratigraphy
• Igneous petrology and volcanology
• Hydrogeology and hydrology
• Geophysics
• Geomorphology, urban geology, GIS, environmental geology, and wetlands
• Geoarchaeology
 
Students who intend to focus their geology studies in the related field of paleontology should elect for more courses in the biological sciences, while those planning to specialize in mineralogy and/or petrology should take additional courses in chemistry.
 
Why Study Abroad in Germany
 
Germany is home to some of the finest higher education institutions in the world.  It is also a country bursting with history and culture, and friendly people who each year welcome thousands of international students from around the world.  Outside of the classroom, students will certainly find no shortage of sites and attractions to keep them busy as they tour some of Germany’s most renowned towns and cities, including:
 
Berlin

The capital and largest city in Germany, Berlin is home to some of the country’s best-loved sites and attractions, including remnants of the old Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate, the last remaining city gate from the days of a divided Germany.  Other famous attractions in the city include Check Point Charlie and the Reichstaggebaüde (Parliament Building), offering guided tours daily.  Monuments abound in this historic city, where visitors will also find over 150 museums, galleries, opera houses, and scores of shops, boutiques and some of the finest German restaurants and cafes.  

Hamburg
 
The historic city of Hamburg is Germany’s largest port city.  Here visitors will find some of best shopping Germany has to offer located in small, mall-like structures called “passage-passage” that cater to high-end stores and trendy boutiques.  Hamburg is also home to several museums, bars and nightclubs, and its magnificent and expertly-preserved town hall is something every visitor should check out.

Cologne
 
Cologne is a tourist’s paradise, with many fun and fascinating sites and attractions.  Although the Cologne Cathedral is the centerpiece of the city, this is only one example of the many preserved architectural masterpieces the city boasts, some dating back over 2000 years, such as the ancient stone gates that mark the entrance to Cologne.  Museums of varying themes can also be found in Cologne, including the Chocolate Museum, Museum of German Culture and one that specializes in Nazi-era exhibits and documents.  Students that happen to be visiting Cologne around mid-February can take part in the city’s Carnival celebrations, featuring street parades, music, food and plenty of German beer to go around.