Applied Geosciences – Computational Geology and Geophysics (CGG) (MSc) RWTH Aachen University

All of the courses and the Master's thesis of the CGG stream are offered in English.

Although German is not necessary, we strongly advise students to obtain basic knowledge of the language for everyday use. Therefore, we offer German language courses at the RWTH Language Center. At the moment, those courses are fully funded for international students of the Department of Earth Science and Geography.

Our MSc programme Applied Geosciences is offered in five streams:

• Applied Mineralogy and Crystallography (AMC)
• Computational Geology & Geophysics (CGG)
• Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR)
• Field-Based Geosciences (FBG)
• Geoengineering (GIN)

Computational Geology & Geophysics (CGG)

The specialisation in Computational Geology and Geophysics provides training in the broader field of computational geosciences. This specialisation offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the Earth through advanced computational techniques and geophysical methods. The programme equips students with the skills necessary to analyse complex geological data and processes, model subsurface structures, and interpret geophysical data. With a strong emphasis on both theoretical foundations and practical applications, students will engage in hands-on projects that address real-world challenges in sustainable resource exploration, renewable energy, and geodata science. By integrating cutting-edge technology with traditional geosciences, this Master's specialisation prepares graduates for successful careers in academia, industry, and research institutions and for collaborating across disciplines.

The specialisation features compulsory modules that cover fundamental concepts, alongside a variety of elective modules that enable the development of a personalised professional profile. The curriculum encompasses courses on basic geoscientific knowledge, geothermics, applied geophysics, programming, computer-aided analysis and visualisation of data with a focus on spatial data, statistics, numerical modelling, and artificial intelligence. The programme concludes in a Master's thesis that the students select based on their interests.

Non-EU applicants: 1 March for the following winter semester (starting in October) or 1 September for the following summer semester (starting in April)

EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester (starting in October) or 15 January for the following summer semester (starting in April)

It's possible to download the current course curriculum at the end of the following page: https://www.fgeo.rwth-aachen.de/cms/geowissenschaften-und-geographie/Studium/Studiengaenge/Master-courses-of-study/Angewandte-Geowissenschaften/~cajo/Kurzprofil-des-Studiengangs/lidx/1/.

It's possible to spend one or two semesters abroad at one of our partner universities: https://www.fgeo.rwth-aachen.de/cms/geowissenschaften-und-geographie/Studium/Internationales/Outgoings/Auslandsstudium/~zafjd/Partnerhochschulen/lidx/1/.

No tuition fees

Approx. 300 EUR per semester (including semester ticket for public transport)
There is no special fee for international students.

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/vor-dem-studium/internationale-studieninteressierte/organisation-des-studienaufenthaltes/internationale-studierende/~bqmo/kosten/?lidx=1

The professional requirements differ for the various specialisations.

The following two requirement profiles are assumed for the CGG specialisation:

1.) Profile in Geosciences

Bachelor's graduates with the following geoscientific competence profile (e.g. Bachelor's degrees in the fields of geosciences, earth sciences, geology, mineralogy, crystallography, etc.) can be admitted to the specialisation CGG:

Bachelor of Science or Engineering with at least 180 ECTS and

• at least 20 ECTS from natural sciences (biology, chemistry, mathematics and/or physics)
• at least 80 ECTS from geosciences (e.g. geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, crystallography, geoengineering)
• at least 5 ECTS from geoscientific field education

2.) Profile in Physics or Data Sciences

Bachelor's graduates with the following physical or data science profile (e.g. Bachelor's degrees in physics and data science, etc.) can also be admitted to the Computational Geology and Geophysics (CGG) specialisation:

Bachelor of Science or Engineering with at least 180 ECTS and

• a total of at least 20 ECTS from mathematics in the fields of algebra, analysis, stochastics, mathematical logic
• a total of at least 30 ECTS from physics and/or data science in the fields of theoretical physics, solid state physics, quantum mechanics, programming, data structures & algorithms, databases & information systems, computer engineering, computability & complexity, formal systems, automata & processes

Applicants must provide proof of their English language skills according to RWTH Aachen University regulations at enrolment (not application). An overview about the accepted language certificates can be found here: https://www.fgeo.rwth-aachen.de/cms/geowissenschaften-und-geographie/Studium/Studierende/Angewandte-Geowissenschaften-und-Georess/~lemb/Sprachkenntnisse/lidx/1/.

Non-EU applicants: 1 March for the following winter semester (starting in October) or 1 September for the following summer semester (starting in April)

EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester (starting in October) or 15 January for the following summer semester (starting in April)

http://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Im-Studium/~ehg/Stipendien-Foerderung/?lidx=1

International students may take up work in the private sector during the semester or the semester break for up to three months without having obtained a work permit. Students thus may take up full-time work for 90 days or part-time positions (up to four hours per day) for 180 days. This regulation is also stated on the residence permit. During the semester, students are allowed to take up jobs with up to 19 working hours a week. During the semester break, students may work full-time but only for a maximum of 13 consecutive weeks.

Student assistants are more flexible with regard to working hours because the full- and part-time regulations do not apply. As a student assistant, you are allowed to work up to 19 hours per week throughout the year.

"Studierendenwerk Aachen": https://www.studierendenwerk-aachen.de/en/housing.html

Availability of university accommodation in Aachen is limited. Participation in individual allocation procedures is therefore usually required. Because of the high demand for university accommodation, it may be necessary to resort to the private accommodation market. As apartments for families and couples are particularly high in demand, applicants interested in this type of accommodation will almost definitely need to draw on the private accommodation market like the majority of RWTH Aachen University's students. There are a number of options for finding private accommodation in and around Aachen; the International Office can provide students with information before or upon their arrival. Prices for university accommodation vary between 200 EUR and 330 EUR per month, and accommodation on the private market is priced between 290 EUR and 550 EUR per month, depending on the size and the number of rooms. For short-term accommodation, there are many hotels, a few youth hostels and a boarding house located in and around Aachen (reservation is recommended).

Career Center of RWTH Aachen University: http://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/Studium/Nach-dem-Studium/~ejx/Karriere/?lidx=1

"Praxisinitiative Aachener Geowissenschaftler" (PAG): http://www.fgeo.rwth-aachen.de/cms/Geowissenschaften-und-Geographie/Studium/Studierende/Angewandte-Geowissenschaften-und-Georess/~cxve/Praxisinitiative-PAG-/?lidx=1

https://www.rwth-aachen.de/cms/root/studium/im-studium/~hqdb/internationales/?lidx=1

With 260 institutes in nine faculties, RWTH Aachen University is one of Europe's leading institutions for science and research. Currently, more than 44,500 students are enrolled in 144 academic programmes. More than 8,500 of them are international students hailing from 130 different countries. The scientific education students receive at RWTH Aachen University is firmly rooted in real-world application. As a result, our graduates are highly sought after by businesses to work as trainees and fill executive positions. National and international rankings show that our graduates have a high aptitude for managing complex tasks, constructively solving problems in teams, and taking on leadership responsibilities. Thus, it should come as no surprise that one in five board members of German corporations is an alumnus of RWTH Aachen University.

Work conducted in the research centres at RWTH Aachen University is strongly oriented towards the current needs of industry, commerce, and the professions. This has resulted in numerous innovations, patents, and licences. The individual competence centres at RWTH Aachen University collaborate effectively across departments and faculties in interdisciplinary groups and forums, while still maintaining a strong focus on their own department specialisation. For instance, the computer science and biology departments - and even the social sciences - all have a clear connection to the school's engineering focus. This has been a crucial factor in motivating multinational corporations such as Philips, Microsoft, and Ford to locate their research institutions in the Aachen region.

Excellence in teaching and research constitutes the basis from which RWTH Aachen University works with other leading institutions and technical universities around the world.

As Germany's westernmost city, Aachen is located on the borders of Belgium and the Netherlands. Its population is about 260,000. Aachen's historic centre around the distinctive cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is characterised by a student lifestyle. At the city's doorstep, the hilly Eifel landscape with its rivers, lakes, and forests offers a picturesque countryside for outdoor recreation. Aachen benefits from its central location in the heart of Europe!