Master of Science in
Experimental Geosciences

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Logo BGI


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The Bayerisches Geoinstitut building on the University Bayreuth campus


Study program


In the M.Sc. program Experimental Geosciences, students are integrated into small research groups at the BGI right from the beginning. They work on independent projects under the close and personal supervision of experienced scientists. The laboratory-based work is supplemented by lectures as well as literature and research seminars. All courses are in English.

Students in the M.Sc. program can be financially supported during their studies by individual fellowships from BGI.

Comprehensive information on the program can be found in this leaflet.

pict  Download leaflet MScExpGeoSci.pdf


The program is organized in four major module areas, and encompasses a total of 120 ECTS credit points (CP) in four semesters. The module areas are:

  1. Experimental Geosciences (20 CP):
    • Diffraction Methods (5CP)
    • Spectroscopic Methods (5 CP)
    • Introduction to Thermodynamics (5 CP)
    • Short Course on High-Pressure Experimental Techniques (5 CP)
  2. Research Techniques (63 CP):
    • Three semester-long Research Projects with Research Reports (each 15 CP)
    • Literature Research Seminars (all semesters, with 3 CP each)
    • Research Seminar with presentation on Master Thesis (6 CP)
  3. Elective Courses (11 CP)
      4. Courses/modules offered at the BGI:
    • Basic Physics I + II (5 CP)
    • Crystal Chemistry of Geophysically important Materials I + II (5 CP)
    • Data to Display (2 CP)
    • Finite Difference Methods (3 CP)
    • Geochemistry of the Solid Earth (5 CP)
    • Geodynamical Modelling (3 CP)
    • Geophysics and Geodynamics (5 CP)
    • Mineral Optics (3 CP)
    • Mineral Physics I + II (5 CP)
    • Planetary Chemistry (5 CP)
    • Planetary Formation Special Topics I+II (2 CP)
    • Planetary Geology and Planetary Physics (5 CP)
      • Courses/modules offered at other Departments at the UBT:
    • Experimentalphysik (16 CP)
    • Astronomie (2 CP)
    • Hydrosphäre (6 CP)
    • Aquatic Geochemistry (5 CP)
    • Feste Anorganische Materialien (9 CP)
    • Other courses upon approval by the examination board.
  4. Master thesis, including a final oral exam, 26 CP. Completed during the final semester of the curriculum.


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A multi-anvil press of new design for high-pressure experiments developed at Bayerisches Geoinstitut


A tentative class list distributed over the four semesters looks like this (examples for elective courses in blue):

Class Type CP
Diffraction Methods Lecture, Exercises 5
High Pressure Experimental Techniques Short Course 5
Literature Research 1 Seminar 3
Research Practice 1 Lab Practice 15
Geochemistry of the Solid Earth Lecture, Exercises 5
Sum 33
 
Semester 2 (Summer Semester)
Spectroscopic Methods Lecture, Exercises 5
Introduction to Thermodynamics Lecture, Exercises 5
Literature Research 2 Seminar 3
Research Practice 2 Lab Practice 15
Planetary Physics Lecture, Exercises 3
Sum 31
 
Semester 3 (Winter Semester)
Literature Research 3 Seminar 3
Research Seminar 1 Seminar 3
Research Practice 3 Lab Practice 15
Planetary Geology Lecture 2
Data to Display Lecture, Exercises 2
Sum 25
 
Semester 4 (Summer Semester)
Literature Seminar 4 Seminar 3
Research Seminar 2 Seminar 3
Master Thesis 26
Sum 32


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A master student working with a scanning electron microscope


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Why experimental geosciences?
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Why in Bayreuth?
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You will find the forms here