# Physical Geography: Environmental Dynamics and Sustainability (Master)
**Source**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/physical-geography-environmental-dynamics-and-sustainability-master/
**Parent**: https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/
© Miriam Erdler
The aim of the Master's degree programme in Physical Geography: Environmental Dynamics and Sustainability at the University of Vienna is to train graduates who are able to identify and analyse challenges, changes and complex problems in physical geography from a scientific perspective and to develop proposals for solutions. The programme deals with current theory-based geographical research on the causes and consequences of environmental change in the context of sustainability from a national and international perspective as well as with the relevant practical applications. The teaching of scientific work as well as methodological and specialist skills is achieved by combining cross-specialisation work and analysis techniques. The skills taught in this way reflect physical geography with its scale-dependent, spatio-temporally explicit approaches to environmental dynamics and sustainability. Graduates acquire skills from relevant areas of the chosen specialisation (Earth Surface Dynamics and Management or Geoecology).
### Master of Science
Degree Programme Code: 066 551
4 semesters / 120 ECTS Credits
Language: [German](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/german-language-proficiency/) and [English](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/#c152670)
NO entrance examination
[Curriculum](https://ssc-geo-astronomie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_spl29/Studium/Master/2024_2025_163_MA_Physical_Geography_EN.pdf) (in English - unofficial)
[Curriculum](https://mtbl.univie.ac.at/storage/media/mtbl02/2024_2025/2024_2025_163.pdf) (in German - legally binding)
### Admission Procedure
[Information about the admission procedure](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/physical-geography-environmental-dynamics-and-sustainability/)
[English language requirements](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/degree-programmes-in-foreign-languages/#c152670)
#### Admission requirements
Admission to the program requires completion of [qualitative admission requirements](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/admission/master-programmes/physical-geography-environmental-dynamics-and-sustainability/#c1226960) in the prerequisite programme, for example via the extension curriculum [Geography: Environmental Systems in Transition](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/extension-curricula-and-alternative-extensions/geographie-umweltsysteme-im-wandel-ec-15-ects/) in combination with either one of the three extension curricula [Geography: Climate Change](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/extension-curricula-and-alternative-extensions/geographie-klimawandel-ec-15-ects/), [Geography: Natural Hazards, Vulnerabilities and Disasters](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/extension-curricula-and-alternative-extensions/geographie-naturgefahren-verwundbarkeit-und-katastrophen-ec-15-ects/), or [Ecology: Relationship between Organisms and the Environment](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/extension-curricula-and-alternative-extensions/ecology-relationship-between-organisms-and-the-environment-15-ects-credits/) (all informations in German).
### Information on Previous Studies:
In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:
- [Geography (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/bachelordiploma-programmes/geography-bachelor-with-osa/)
- [Teacher Education TS Geography and Economic Education (Bachelor)](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/teacher-education-programme/geography-and-economic-education-teaching-subject/)
- [Master Access Guide](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/master-access-guide/)
### Getting started
[Orientation course](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/degree-programmes/master-programmes/physical-geography-environmental-dynamics-and-sustainability-master/)
[Orientation in the first semester](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/study-organisation/)
[Semester planning](https://studieren.univie.ac.at/en/semester-planning/)
### Getting Informed
[StudiesServiceCenter (SSC) Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/pvz_sub.html?id=503)
[Students' Representatives Geography](https://www.stvgeographie.at/)
## Study Programme
The master's programme consists of the following compulsory modules:
- Geography Pool (20 ECTS)
- Pool Physical Geography: Environmental Dynamics and Sustainability (15 ECTS)
- Alternative compulsory modules specialisations (35 ECTS)
- Geoecology (35 ECTS)
- Earth Surface Dynamics and Management (35 ECTS)
- Individual Specialisation (25 ECTS)
as well as the Master's Thesis (20 ECTS) and the Public Defence (5 ECTS).
### Five Concepts
which you will deal with during your studies:
- Climate change
- Analysing natural processes
- Nature conservation and disaster control
- Field research
- Future-oriented job opportunities
...and many more.
## Overview of the programme structure & topics
Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.
[M1 Compulsory Module Geography Pool (20 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340051)
[M2 Compulsory Module Physical Geography: Environmental Dynamics and Sustainability (15 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340052)
[M3 Alternative Compulsory Modules Specialisations (35 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340053)
[M3a Specialisation: Geoecology (35 ECTs)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340054)
[M3a1 Field and Laboratory Applications in Geoecological Research (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340055)
[M3a2 Ecosystem and Soil Ecology (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340056)
[M3a3 Landscape Evaluation (10 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340057)
[M3a4 Accompanying Course for the Master's Thesis in Geoecology (5 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340058)
[M3b Specialisation: Earth Surface Dynamics and Management (35 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340059)
[M3b1 Methods and Techniques in Earth Surface and Management (15 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340060)
[M3b2 Emerging Trends in Earth Surface Dynamics and Management (15 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340061)
[M3b3 Accompanying Course for the Master’s Thesis: Earth Surface Dynamics and Management (5 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340062)
[M4 Compulsory Module Individual Specialisation (25 ECTS)](https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/vvz_sub.html?path=340063)
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## After Graduation
The fields of activity of graduates of the Master's degree programme in Physical Geography: Environmental Dynamics and Sustainability include, among others:
- Research and development
- Activities at national and international level in administration, the public sector and the NGO sector
- Environmental and protected area management
- Nature and disaster protection
- Resource protection and management as well as areas of waste management
- Planning and implementation of measures in engineering and planning offices in the private sector
### Continuing after Graduation
- [Center for Doctoral Studies - everything about doctorcal/PhD programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/)
- [Alumni of the University of Vienna](https://www.alumni.ac.at/)
- [Postgraduate Center - postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna\](http://www.postgraduatecenter.at/en)
- [Uniport - career service of the University of Vienna](https://www.uniport.at/uniport-fuer-studierende)