Note on the previous master's degree programme "M.Sc. Biogeosciences" Our new English-taught degree programme "M.Sc. Biogeoscience of the Anthropocene" will start in the winter semester 2026/27. It will no longer be possible to enrol on the previous master's degree programme "M.Sc. Biogeosciences". Students enrolled in the previous master's degree programme can find further information on the website of the Institute of Geosciences.
Are you interested in how mankind influences our environment?
The Biogeosciences degree programme immerses you in the fascinating world of Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences.
Image: Joana Wagner
Do you want to understand what lies behind issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss?
Discover how life on earth is linked to its biological, physical and chemical environment and how we can clean up contaminated sites.
Image: Joana Wagner
Come and join us at the University of Jena!
When studying Biogeosciences, you will learn to look at complex environmental problems from different perspectives and find solutions.
Image: Joana Wagner
Impressions of the study programme
"I want to understand nature and the environment even better." (Joana, Biogeosciences student)
Preview image: Universität Jena · Video: University of Jena
Find your dream job with a degree in Biogeosciences
Remediation of contaminated sites
You will investigate contaminated sites to identify pollutants and develop concepts for the remediation of contaminated sites. You will contribute to solving global environmental problems and play an active role in shaping a sustainable future. Exciting career paths open up for you.
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
Good reasons to study Biogeosciences in Jena
A young and colourful student city
With a population of just under 110,000, Jena offers all the advantages of a large city, yet is still cosy and compact. The many students play a key role in shaping the young, international cityscape.
Jena is a green city: the parks in the city centre, such as the Botanical Garden, are a wonderful place to relax. And the many hiking trails in Jena's mountains are not far from the city centre.
Jena is also a hotspot for sports enthusiasts: the city is home to successful teams such as the women's soccer team and the men's basketball team. The city also has its own American football team, who are happy to invite you to their games and to get involved in person. The university sports programme also offers a wide range of sports courses for students: from aikido to soccer to Zumba and much more.
By the way: the semester fee includes a comprehensive range of tickets for public transport in Jena and regional trains throughout Thuringia. It also includes admission to the Jena Theatre, the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, the city's museums and the two arthouse cinemas in Jena. With the Deutschlandticket, students can now take advantage of even more opportunities to explore Thuringia and Germany.
Close contact between university and business
You will already gain valuable insights into professional practice during your Bachelor's degree programme: the curriculum includes a six-week work placement and you cantake the elective module "Biogeoscientific Occupational Fields".
There are many other tenders at the university that will make it easier for you to start your career: for example, you can take part in interdisciplinary coaching sessions and the "Career Plan" certificate programme.
Incidentally, Jena is often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Thuringia" due to its status as a center for business and science. The two universities, non-university research institutions and commercial enterprises are closely interlinked. This makes it possible for you to establish practical contacts during your studies. For example, the Institute of Geosciences maintains close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology.
Student services organisation: A wide range of advisory services and support for students
The student services organisation "Studierendenwerk Thüringen" supports you with numerous offers for finding accommodation or shared apartments, as well as with financial questions. It also offers social advisory services, for example for students with children, for students with disabilities or if you have doubts about your studies.
The Biogeosciences degree programmeis an environmental science degree programme in which you learn to think beyond the usual subject boundaries.
On the one hand, the programme includes courses that teach the basics of the individual disciplines. On the other hand, there are courses specially developed for the degree programme in which you can combine and apply the knowledge from these disciplines.
You can also set your own focus through the wide range of electives on offer. You can also take selected practical modules in environmental technology at Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena.
Familiar atmosphere and close support from the teaching staff
The degree programme includes numerous practical courses such as excursions as well as laboratory and field work in small groups. As a result, you will receive individualised support from the teaching staff at the various institutes.
Active student life thanks to the student council
The Geosciences student council ("FSR Geociences") represents the interests of the students and organises events (geo-barbecue evening, Barbara party, film night...) so that students from the different fields of study (Biogeosciences and Geosciences) and semesters can get to know each other.
Studying abroad for a semester is possible during both the Bachelor's and Master's programmes - without losing any study time.
Friedrich Schiller University has numerous partner universities throughout Europe and beyond. Erasmus+ exchange places for Biogeosciences students are available in France, Slovenia and Italy, for example.
The University of Jena is also a member of the EC2U Alliance, the European Campus of City Universities: This provides students with additional opportunities to gain international experience.
Taster programmes: Get to know studying and university up close!
Solve tricky puzzles and learn more about the Biogeo degree programme: You can do this with our digital scavenger hunt using the free Actionbound app. You can play the tour from the comfort of your own home. Team challenges are also possible.
You can get to know students and teaching staff at the University of Jena's Student Information Day. The programme includes information stands, lectures, campus tours and much more. The day always takes place in spring.
Whether "Earth History", "Hydrogeology" or "Soil Science": You can always attend selected lectures during the lecture period and get a taste of everyday study life.
The generally understandable lectures always take place in the winter semester. They are ideal for getting to know our scientists up close and gaining an insight into current research topics!
Here you will find a selection of online lectures and recordings of lectures and presentations from various subject areas at the University of Jena in German language.
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