MSc in Environmental Geography University of Bayreuth

Environmental changes at any scale, from global to local, are of crucial importance to life on planet Earth. In addition to climate change, the major contemporary challenges include changes in biodiversity, soil degradation, and increases in mass movements. Often the dynamics of such environmental processes require an understanding of the spatial and temporal couplings between the atmosphere, biosphere, relief sphere, pedosphere, and hydrosphere. In addition, interaction with human activities is of utmost importance. Physical geography – as an interdisciplinary field with a marked focus on the environment-society nexus – is among the core disciplines addressing and examining these environmental changes.

Why study Environmental Geography in Bayreuth?

The University of Bayreuth is currently rated among the top young universities according to the Times Higher Education (THE) global ranking of ‘150 under 50‘. This ranking focuses on the top 150 universities worldwide founded less than 50 years ago. As a medium-sized campus university, we place less emphasis on growth and more on ensuring the highest quality of our infrastructure. In doing so, the University of Bayreuth focuses on the areas of emphasis in the various disciplines and on developing a range of interdisciplinary links that ensure it a place among the best universities internationally. Environmental Research has a long‐standing tradition in Bayreuth. About 25 research groups are organized in the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), which provides unique opportunities for national and international students.

The English-taught master’s program ‘Environmental Geography’ provides expertise and practical experience in the field of environmental systems science from an explicitly interdisciplinary perspective. The combination of core areas in the natural sciences and contextualization from the social sciences (e.g. ecosystem services and geographical conflict research) ensure that our students receive training that is unique in Central and Eastern Europe. Research-led teaching, state-of-the-art quantitative methods, and training facilities such as a dating laboratory or the University’s Botanical Garden allow for an application- and target-oriented program of study. Students receive training in the analysis and evaluation of complex environmental systems, critical reflection upon the research process, the abstraction of research results, as well as in oral and written communication of findings.

The ongoing trend of global environmental change, depletion of resources, and the social perception of these developments are leading to an increased political and economic focus on topics relating to the environment and sustainability. This situation is driving up demand for experts with research- and practice-oriented training in the environmental sciences. Our graduates are thus prepared for a broad range of career opportunities in the private and public sectors. Possible fields of activity include:

• Regional and urban planning
• Nature conservation
• Environmental planning and consulting
• Laboratory-based environmental analysis
• Science and research
• Geoinformation services
• Development cooperation

Doing a doctorate at the University of Bayreuth

The University of Bayreuth Graduate School supervises doctoral students of all subjects who are pursuing a doctorate in a structured program or at one of the University's seven faculties. We facilitate scientific exchange already in the earliest phase of independent research and complement the interdisciplinary education of doctoral students with additional teaching and training opportunities. Our aim is to create the perfect research and learning conditions for them.