Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät - Geographisches Institut

Study in Berlin

This page provides some basic information about the Institute of Geography and the location Adlershof. The aim of this page is showing some basic information about the Institute and Adlershof. Furthermore this information aims for support exchange students and students, which are interested in a student’s exchange.

The Institute of Geography

Staff

There are 9 professorships within the Institute of Geography: three focus on physical geography (climate and vegetation geography; geomorphology, soil and quarternary geography; landscape ecology), four on human geography (economic geography, cultural geography and applied geography), and three on geomatics, urban environmental research with remote sensing, and didactics of geography. The institute’s profile is completed with special professorships in hydrology, transport geography, geovisualisation and climate systems.

Research

The Institute of Geography focuses on research in metropolitan areas. A diversity of major research projects are supported by competitive external funding, including a Ph.D. research training programme entitled ‘Perspectives on Urban Ecology – the Example of the European Metropolis of Berlin funded by the DFG (German Federal Research Foundation) and carried out in cooperation with the University of Washington in Seattle.

Teaching and Study Paths

The number of students at the Institute of Geography has increased over the past decade, by almost a third, leading to a total of about 1,200. Most lessons are taught in German. Information about the courses can be found in the "KVV". The terms of attending a course are shown here >>>.
The Institute of Geography is the only institution in the Berlin-Brandenburg area to offer a programme for the education of teachers. Furthermore, there is a Bachelor and a Master degree offered:

  • Monobachelor: 6 semesters leading to a B.Sc. or B.A.
  • Combined Bachelor programme
  • Master (M.A.) Urban geography – human geography
  • Master (M.Sc.) Urban geography – environment and nature in metropolitan regions

For more information, see this flyer.

Adlershof

The location of the Institute on the "Adlershof Campus for Science, Economy and Media" in southeast Berlin, allows the institute to link up with other HU institutes and major research institutions such as the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). This interconnectivity provides additional incentives for the institute’s work.

The natural science campus in Adlershof was completed in 2003. It includes six institutes: geography, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, physics and psychology. 6,300 students are matriculated at these institutes, along with 110 professors and 720 other employees.

Regional location planning was being linked in a convincing manner to scientific goals. Besides the synergies to be generated by the joint use of the comprehensive infrastructure - particularly in the large equipment sector - academic teaching will be enhanced by its links to applications.

The establishment of the university in Adlershof aims to lend a new quality to the field of education. It will be shaped by the close proximity to professional practice, the pioneer spirit and entrepreneurial thinking. Students can enjoy work placements here on site in companies and research institutes and establish direct contacts to potential employers. One good example is the newly build library and communication centre "Erwin Schrödinger Zentrum" which provides an excellent infrastructure for research and works as an interface between the academic world and businesses.

More information about Campus Adlershof can be found here >>>.

Contact persons

There are different persons to help students to master the first steps at the Institute of Geography. Don’t hesitate to contact them:

  • The "Fachschaft" is the student initiative at the Institute. In term time there are nearly every day consultation hours at room 1’104. Also, you can contact the Fachschaft via Email: fsgeographie@rz.hu-berlin.de. Mails will be responded quickly.
  • A Geo-Newsletter is published by the Fachschaft. Its topics are new developments at the Institute of Geography, Jobs, information about tests, etc. It is very, very useful to subscribe to Newsletter here >>>.
  • The "Studentische Studienberatung" helps students to cope with your studies. It has consultation hours two times a week. Questions can be addressed via Mail to: studienberatung.geographie@geo.hu-berlin.de
  • Doris Schwedler, the coordinator of the registrar's office, can answer many questions about the study of geography. You can contact her here >>>.
  • Prof. Dr. Wilfried Endlicher, coordinator for the ERASMUS programme. At the beginning of the "Wintersemester" there is a tutorial and so called Days of Orientation. Aim of these initiatives is to help freshman students, but they can also be helpful for exchange students to get to know Adlershof and the Institute of Geography. Information is provided here >>>.

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