Marine Geosciences

The programme focusses on geoscientific aspects of climate, resources and technologies in the marine environment. These issues are under investigation at the leading German marine research institutions in Bremen and Bremerhaven. The multidisciplinary nature of these research fields as well as the application of up-to-date scientific methods, instruments and computing strongly influence teaching methods and topics. Research in marine geosciences has a long tradition in Bremen and constitutes the main focus at the Faculty of Geosciences of the University of Bremen. All aspects of marine geosciences are covered, from sedimentology to petrology, from geophysics to biogeochemistry, from basic research to applied technology. With the establishment of MARUM, the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, the University of Bremen has created a leading international institute for planning and carrying out interdisciplinary marine science. Studies within MARUM focus on the three research areas "Ocean and Climate", "Geosphere-Biosphere Interactions" and "Sediment Dynamics". The multidisciplinary nature of marine geoscientific research and the application of up-to-date scientific instruments play an important role in teaching methods and topics. The international, postgraduate study programme in Marine Geosciences is designed to research related topics, placing particular emphasis on the specialities of the Bremen department. The programme comprises skills and methods that enable graduates to critically evaluate scientific results, and it provides a solid professional qualification for tasks in science and its applications. The interdisciplinary character of Marine Geosciences is reflected in a topic-oriented course structure. The programme strongly emphasises the understanding and modelling of processes and dynamics in natural systems. The first year is focussed on teaching; lectures, seminars and projects are dedicated to so-called core subjects. By choosing three to four out of eight core subjects (biogeochemistry, climate change, environmental archives, marine geobiology, marine resources, marine technology, ocean crust evolution, sedimentology), students can develop an individual profile. Up to four modules complement the core subjects with field and laboratory training, digital computer applications and soft skills. In the second year, the geoscientific project can either be a marine survey, a GeoMedia project or an external / international project in marine geosciences. The research seminar concentrates on the development and presentation of research projects and prepares the students for their Master's theses. The fourth semester is dedicated to the thesis work. A colloquium completes the course. Teaching units are scheduled mainly as weekly assignments throughout an academic semester (October to February, April to July). However, field excursions, laboratories or special projects may be scheduled as blocks (block scheduling), meaning that they take place over the course of a few weeks within a semester break. PDF Download