Graduates of the Bachelor's degree programme in Environmental Sciences have a solid technical knowledge in all sub-disciplines of environmental sciences. This includes in particular the physical, chemical, biological and mathematical foundations for the description of processes in the environment. Graduates have an understanding of the dynamics of environmental processes and the complex interactions in the environment. Students acquire professional competences in the fields of hydrology, hydrogeology, soil science, meteorology and climatology, limnology, sedimentology, ecology, nature conservation and a basic methodological competence in the corresponding disciplines. The main objectives of the degree programme are to understand, analyse and manage environmental systems. Graduates are able to collect environmental data, process it digitally, interpret it technically and statistically and present it appropriately. They are able to carry out tasks in the field of environmental protection independently and on their own responsibility, e.g. in the fields of environmental planning, climate protection, technical environmental protection, ecological and ecotoxicological assessment, biodiversity recording and biotope protection. Graduates are able to think in an interdisciplinary and networked manner and apply approaches to solving environmental problems on a scientific basis and with the competences specific to the subject. They can recognise, quantify and manage environmental risks. They are particularly suitable for interfacing with authorities, consultancies and industrial companies, as they have interdisciplinary judgement regarding environmentally relevant issues.
The qualification objectives go beyond those of the Bachelor's degree programme in Environmental Sciences in that graduates acquire in-depth knowledge of the methods of the subject disciplines and acquire competences in the current research content and the most up-to-date methods in environmental science research. This includes, in particular, skills in the analysis of environmental data with advanced statistical methods and numerical simulation models, the analysis and interpretation of biogeochemical archives and material cycles, modern methods of chemical analysis including isotope techniques, and the recording and analysis of biodiversity in different landscapes. Graduates of the Master's programme are able to work independently on complex environmental problems using the latest scientific methods and to take into account legal and economic constraints. They are capable of independent scientific work, have analytical skills, are able to cooperate in multidisciplinary teams and are able to communicate environmental scientific findings to stakeholders and the interested public. Graduates have an overall flexible employability on the labour market and are only subject to a low dependency on industry cycles. They are able to initiate innovations, take on leadership positions and continue their education in a variety of ways.
Graduates of the Master's programme are also qualified for doctoral studies.