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MSc Physical Geography: Environmental History
The current debate about the reasons and effects of climate change illustrates the need for experts who can understand and explain the complex interrelations that lead to environmental changes through time. Meeting this demand, the M. Sc. “Physical Geography: Environmental History" is a research-oriented master programme in physical geography focusing on the understanding and reconstruction of environmental and climatic history. This master programme is innovative and unique in Germany due to its distinct interdisciplinary approach including courses in physical and human geography, archaeology, geosciences, palaeobiology and environmental physics. To ensure high academic quality and practical orientation, the programme draws on both, expertise within the University of Bremen as well as on partnerships with regional scientific institutions in Bremen and Lower Saxony. All classes are taught in English. Students holding a B. Sc. degree in Geography with a focus on Physical Geography, in Geo- or Earth Sciences with a focus on Sedimentology or Quaternary Geology or in Archaeology focusing on Geoarchaeology are welcome.
Goals and Guiding Principles
The M. Sc. “Physical Geography: Environmental History" focusses on the reconstruction of environmental and climatic history as scientific expertise in this field is paramount today. The programme provides physical-geographical knowledge and skills that will enable you to analyse, interpret and evaluate the complex effects of natural and anthropogenic environmental changes on nature and society. Global environmental changes are one of the biggest social, political and cultural issues of the 21st century. In order to cope with their complexity, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in teaching and research are developed to qualify you for linking natural and anthropogenic phenomena.
Information about the past, obtained from natural, archaeological and historical archives as well as from instrumental data, enables you to understand how global climate and environmental changes affect natural and socioeconomic systems as well as to investigate future environmental development. You learn to evolve your own scientific questions in close contact to ongoing national and international research projects. You work in an interdisciplinary manner through research-based education and in close co-operation with research institutions in Bremen and Lower Saxony. Methodological training in the field, in the laboratory and on the computer (including geographical information systems – GIS) qualifies you for different applied labour markets, e. g. public administration, planning offices, adult education as well as media sectors and information technology.
Course of Study
You will be trained in interdisciplinary lectures, seminars, projects as well as in laboratory and field courses. Lecturers are leading experts in their respective fields and will provide you with information about up-to-date research questions. Thus, you participate in ongoing research by working on own projects while preparing your master thesis.
1. Semester - Introductory Phase
The introductory phase takes into account the different levels of knowledge and provides basic courses in the form of compulsory lectures and seminars as Consecutive Core Subjects in the disciplines of climatology, environmental physics, geosciences, limnogeology, prehistoric archaeology and vegetation history and archaeobotany. Three out of six Consecutive Core Subjects starting in the first semester and ending at the end of the second semester are elected. The compulsory course Research Process I offers training in presentation techniques and provides a detailed overview of cutting-edge research publications related to the respective fields of the master programme.
2. Semester - Advanced Study Phase
In the advanced study phase the Consecutive Core Subjects are continued, closely interconnected and consolidated by means of research-based and hands-on training, particularly in the framework of field and laboratory exercises. Furthermore, computer-based analyses and visualization techniques of spatio-temporal data and processes are conveyed.
3. Semester - Individualisation Phase
The individualisation phase involves project work (Research Process II) as well as additional modules from the Additional Core Subjects (MAR-C2, PG-BOK, PG-REH) with specialised lectures, exercises and field trips in the disciplines of marine environmental archives, soil science and regional environmental history. You can combine these options with a study abroad or with an internship to gain a deeper insight into the research practice of environmental and climate reconstruction. Participation in ongoing research projects fosters an intensive interdisciplinary research experience and allows for the combination of the project module, the internship and the final master thesis in a meaningful way. These options enable you to develop your own individually tailored study profile in order to support your intended professional career.
4. Semester - Final Phase
In the final phase, you work on your master thesis. If successful, the academic degree "Master of Science" (M. Sc.) is awarded.
General Studies encompass all courses dedicated as such in the study programme of the University of Bremen. A special offer are the eGeneral Studies. Within the master programme General Studies are intended to fill occasional gaps between the required 30 CP and the actually obtained CP, i.e. less than 30 CP in the third semester. Note that the examination office can only take credit for lectures with their full CP. For example, in case 3 CP are missing and you study a 6 CP course, it is not possible to hand in these 6 CP for the missing 3 CP.
Example 1 - Internship: PG-RP2 and PG-INS
Both modules result in 24 CP. Since 30 CP are required in the third
semester, the missing 6 CP can be gained either by studying General
Studies courses or by one of the electives.
Example 2 - Study Abroad: PG-RP2 and Study Abroad
Both modules together result in 30 CP. In case the intended 18 CP of the
Study Abroad are not obtained, it is possible to study up to 6 CP by
attending General Study courses or by one of the electives.
Example 3 - No internship, no study abroad
You can earn a maximum of 12 CP in General Studies throughout your
studies. So, you need to study at least 6 CP in one of the additional
subjects (free electives or an additional core subject from first semester)
The internship provides you with a structured introduction to the contexts of professional practice. Emphasis is placed on the identification and negotiation of learning objectives, activities and outcomes in relation to a professional context. You are required to find a suitable position, e.g. with a company, at another university or with a public administration, complete eight weeks of work and prepare and present your experience to your supervisors and peers.
It is recommended to complete the internship of eight connected weeks before the end of the third semester. There are several options how you can do this:
- during the summer break before the third semester.
- during the third semester. In this case, the internship should be carried out in close relation to the module "Research Process II", e.g. at another university or abroad.
- before starting the master programme.
The internship regulations can be found in the menu under "Rules and Regulations".
| Anmeldung des Praktikums (German version) |
| Guidance for finding internship placements |
| International placements: students’s reports about their experience (Blog) |
Study abroad allows you to complete up to 18 CP General Studies and other modules at another university outside of Germany. There are existing cooperations between working groups at the University of Bremen and collaborating research institutions with working groups at other universities and research institutes in the world. In addition, it is possible to study at one of the partner universities of the University of Bremen. Note that some of our partner universities offer Master programmes in English as well (GIS in Tartu or Climate Change and Hazards in Poznan for example).
Guidelines to prepare a Master Thesis
The guidelines summarize the procedures to be followed by students planning to write a thesis for their master degree. They discuss prerequisites, administrative and organizational issues as well as time constraints. Moreover, students find guidance about structure and elements generally contained in a Master Thesis.
These guidelines come along with helpful appendices (also available as a docx file from your supervisor):
- Appendix 1: Application for admission to the Master Thesis (in German as "Antrag auf Zulassung zur Masterarbeit" with English translation)
- Appendix 2: Grading scheme for a Master Thesis
- Appendix 3: Layout of the title page
- Appendix 4: Example for a table of contents
Titles of completed Master Theses
- Changes of water sources for precipitation in Europe under a warming climate
- Acoustic facies mapping of Yermak Plateau in the Arctic Ocean
- The influence of climate on the growth of urban trees in Bremen
- Oxygen and carbon isotopes in subfossil tree rings – potential climate proxies?
- Paleoenvironments of Powell Basin, Antarctica since the Penultimate Glacial Period
Admission Regulations
The admission regulations are provided for download here. Please note that the English translations of all regulations are guidelines and not legally binding. Only the German regulations ("Aufnahmeordnung" see Rules & Regulations below) are legally binding.
Requirements
- Completed bachelor programme with 180 CP/ECTS or another comparable scientific study programme with a relation to the M. Sc. “Physical Geography: Environmental History”:
- Physical Geography
- Geology (with a focus on sedimentology and Quaternary geology)
- Earth Sciences (with a focus on sedimentology and Quaternary geology)
- Geosciences (with a focus on sedimentology and Quaternary geology)
- Archaeology (with a focus on geoarchaeology)
- Environmental Studies
- Letter of motivation
- explain your interests as well as your academic or professional background
- maximum length of 1000 words
- Language skills
- English: level B2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (or any equivalent certificate)
Further information are available here. - German: basic knowledge is desirable
- English: level B2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (or any equivalent certificate)
- CV in tabular form
- Certificates (in German or English translations of non-German certificates)
- Bachelor certificate and report or a preliminary transcript of records attesting at least 135CP
- Report of your school leaving examination
Admission Procedure
For application, please use the online application portal of the University of Bremen.
Extended application deadline for fall 2025 admission: July 15th
This study programme begins exclusively with the winter term (starting October 1st). The application deadline is 28 February for the upcoming winter semester. Spring admissions for the summer semester starting April 1st are only possible for advanced Master's student and generally not recommended due to the consequtive core modules of the first year (application period for summer term: December - January 15th).
During the selection process, taking place after the application deadline, you can earn points based on your average grade, your letter of motivation and the technical relation of your bachelor programme to this master programme. According to the points reached, a ranking is set up and applicants are selected accordingly. Further details are documented in the admission regulations.
Selection based on a case of hardship is possible.
Important dates
- Application deadline: 28 February
- Notification of selection results: ca. 15. April
- Last date of your reply to the offer: ca. 31. July
Further Information
Tution and fees
Visa, Financial Support, Health Insurance
Rules and Regulations
Responsibilities and Guidance
Rules and regulations are provided for download here. Please note that the English translations (EN) of all regulations are guidelines and not legally binding. Only the German regulations (DE) are legally binding.
Contact
Email: msc-pg-infoprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
Responsible Person for the Master Course
Ben Marzeion is the responsible person for the master course in “Physical Geography: Environmental History”.
Student Adivsory Service
Student councelling including advice for the study abroad is provided by Michael Thiele. Additional information from the general student advisory service you find here.
Teaching Staff
Family name | First name | Title | Affiliation | |
Torsten | Dr. | MARUM | ||
Felix | Dr. | NIhK | ||
Astrid | Prof. Dr. | FB 1, IUP | ||
John | Prof. Dr. | FB 1, IUP | ||
Tilo von | Prof. Dr. | FB 5 | dobeneckprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de | |
Michael | Prof. Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo; artec | ||
Catalina | Dr. | AWI | ||
Uta | Prof. Dr. | FB 8, IfG | ||
| Labuhn | Inga | Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo | labuhnprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de |
| Marzeion | Ben | Prof. Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo | ben.marzeionprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de |
| Mengert | Melissa | FB 8, IfGeo | mmengertprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de | |
| Mennenga | Moritz | Dr. | Dr. NIhK | mennengaprotect me ?!nihkprotect me ?!.de |
| Möller | Marco | Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo | marco.moellerprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de |
| Stefan | Dr. | FB 5 | ||
Christian | Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo | ||
Mathias | Dr. | FB 1, IUP | ||
André | Dr. | MARUM | ||
Enno | Dr. | FB 5 | ||
Michael | Prof. Dr. | MARUM | ||
Annette | Dr. | NIhK | ||
Rüdiger | Prof. Dr. | AWI | ||
Michael | Dipl.-Geogr. | FB 8 | ||
| Christoph | Dr. | FB 1, IUP; AWI | ||
Thorsten | Dr. | FB 1, IUP | ||
Tilo | Prof. Dr. | FB 5 | ||
Steffen | Dr. | NIhK | ||
Matthias | Dr. | FB 5 | ||
Bernd | Prof. Dr. | FB 8, IfGeo |
Module Coordinators
Module Name | Module Acronym | CP/ ECTS | Coordinator | Deputy |
Research Process I | PG-1-RP1 | 3 | B. Zolitschka | B. Marzeion |
Climatology I | PG-1-CL1 | 9 | B. Marzeion | B. Zolitschka |
Lacustrine Environmental Archives I | PG-1-EA1 | 9 | C. Ohlendorf | B. Zolitschka |
Vegetation History and Archaobotany I | PG-1-VA1 | 9 | F. Bittmann | B. Zolitschka |
Archaeology I | PG-1-AR1 | 9 | U. Halle | B. Zolitschka |
Environmental Physics I | PG-1-EP1 | 9 | B. Zolitschka | B. Marzeion |
Climate Change I | MAR-1-C1 | 9 | M. Schulz | A. Paul |
Climatology II | PG-2-CL2 | 6 | B. Marzeion | B. Zolitschka |
Lacustrine Environmental Archives II | PG-2-EA2 | 6 | C. Ohlendorf | B. Zolitschka |
Vegetation History and Archaobotany II | PG-2-VA2 | 6 | F. Bittmann | B. Zolitschka |
Archaeology II | PG-2-AR2 | 6 | B. Zolitschka | U. Halle |
Environmental Physics II | PG-2-EP2 | 6 | B. Zolitschka | B. Marzeion |
Climate Change II | MAR-2-C7 | 6 | M. Schulz | A. Paul |
Computer-based Analyses | PG-2-CBA | 6 | B. Marzeion | B. Zolitschka |
Historical Political Ecology | PG-2-HPE | 6 | M. Flitner | B. Zolitschka |
Research Process II | PG-3-RP2 | 12 | B. Marzeion | B. Zolitschka |
Internship | PG-3-INS | 12 | B. Marzeion | B. Zolitschka |
Marine Environmental Archives | MAR-3-C2 | 9 | T. v. Dobeneck | T. Bickert |
Bodenkunde | PG-3-BOK | 6 | B. Zolitschka | B. Marzeion |
Regional Environmental History | PG-3-REH | 6 | B. Zolitschka | B. Marzeion |