The Geological Sciences examine the physical and chemical processes within Earth and on its surface, including the study of natural resources and risks to habitable areas. Geological Sciences are therefore an applied arm of the natural sciences, but they are distinguished from the latter by their links to Earth history and the life sciences. The analysis and prediction of geological processes require the ability to reconstruct past events through the study of rocks, minerals, and fossils.
This requires an interdisciplinary approach, which is promoted in the MSc program for Geological Sciences through four main areas: Geodynamics & Geomaterials, Geophysics, Hydrogeology and Paleontology.
Most of the focus areas combine teaching with research on geohazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, climate change, biodiversity) and resources (water, hydrocarbons, natural gas, rare earths, ores, building materials, etc.). The importance of earth processes and global material cycles for our civilization is addressed and partly deepened in special events.
The chosen focus of the students of the Master’s program in Geological Sciences decides to what extent the individual geological subject areas are actually covered in terms of content (see structure of the program).
The geological sciences at Freie Universität Berlin offer comprehensive, broad training and exemplary basic research in almost all areas of terrestrial geological sciences. For this purpose, the institute is connected to numerous other geoscientific institutions in the metropolitan area of Berlin-Brandenburg, with which there are relationships in teaching (coordinated courses, joint internships and supervision of master's theses, etc.) and research (joint research projects).
Various research projects are based at the Institute for Geological Sciences, within which the working groups conduct interdisciplinary research in collaboration with other research institutions.
Examples are the DFG-Collaborative Research Center-Transregio TRR 170 “Late accretion on terrestrial planets” and the research project “Mountain Building Processes in Four Dimensions - 4D-MB” that is focused on the movement at tectonic plate boundaries in the Alpine-Mediterranean region from the surface of the earth to into the lower mantle.
The planetary research group is partly in leading responsibility for several international programs of planetary exploration (Mars, Saturn).
Further information on the research activities is presented on the websites of the working groups, which can be found on the homepage of the Institute for Geological Sciences .
Applicants need to fullfill the following admission requirements:
Information on application and admission criteria can be found on the central website of the Freie Universität Berlin .
Proof of German language skills must be provided for applicants who have completed their degree at a foreign university or equivalent institution. This can be done by passing the German language test for university entrance (DSH) or by providing evidence of an equivalent level of knowledge according to the regulations for the German language test for university entrance of foreign applicants at the Freie Universität Berlin.