Environmental Geography University of Bayreuth

Overview

Environmental changes at any scale, from global to local, are of crucial importance to life on planet Earth. In addition to climate change, the major contemporary challenges include changes in biodiversity, soil degradation, and increases in mass movements. Often the dynamics of such environmental processes require an understanding of the spatial and temporal couplings between the atmosphere, biosphere, relief sphere, pedosphere, and hydrosphere. In addition, the interaction with human activities is of utmost importance. Physical geography – as an interdisciplinary field with a marked focus on the environment-society nexus – is among the core disciplines addressing and examining these environmental changes.

The combination of core areas in the natural sciences and contextualization from the social sciences (e.g. ecosystem services and geographical conflict research) ensure that the students in the Environmental Geography programme of the University of Bayreuth receive training that is unique in Central and Eastern Europe. Research-led teaching, stateof- the-art quantitative methods, and training facilities such as a dating laboratory or the University’s Botanical Garden allow for an application- and target-oriented programme of study. Students receive training in the analysis and evaluation of complex environmental systems, in critical reflection upon the research process, in abstraction of research results, as well as in oral and written communication of findings.

Fields of Employment

The ongoing trend of global environmental change, depletion of resources, and the social perception of these developments are leading to an increased political and economic focus on topics relating to the environment and sustainability. This situation is driving up demand for experts with research- and practice-oriented training in the environmental sciences. Our graduates are thus prepared for a broad range of career opportunities in the private and public sectors. Possible fields of activity include:

• regional and urban planning

• nature conservation

• environmental planning and consulting

• laboratory-based environmental analysis

• science and research

• geoinformation services

• development cooperation