Bachelor of Science in Geosciences and Environment

General Content

The Bachelor's first year is common to all students. From the second year onwards, students choose one of the three study paths:

  • studies in environmental sciences offer a multi- and interdisciplinary course that provides an understanding of various environmental phenomena and the human and social issues associated with sustainability. They cover both knowledge of physical, geological, chemical and biological processes in the environment and the questions raised by the current ecological crisis.

  • studies in geography are based around and at the intersection of physical and human geography, with an emphasis on geomorphology, urban geography and social geography. Physical geography deals with methods that describe, analyse and model the earth’s surface and its environment. Courses in human geography aim to understand how societies are organised in their habitat and their environment, be it built or natural.

  • on the basis of courses in mathematics, physics and general chemistry, studies in geology focus on disciplines associated with earth sciences, such as mineralogy, crystallography, petrology, structural geology, sedimentology, palaeontology, geophysics and geochemistry. They examine the evolution of the earth’s system as a result of deep physical and chemical processes, but also how these processes have been expressed on the surface over the earth’s natural history.

Course Structure

ba_geosciences_23.png

Practical Information

Organiser
Faculty of Geosciences and Environment

Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geosciences and Environment, orientation Geography, Geology or Environmental Studies

ECTS Credits
180

Duration
6 semesters

Teaching Language
French 

Enrolment Deadline
30 April. If you require a visa to study in Switzerland: 28 February.

Further information
Applications
Course description
Timetables

Study Options After the Bachelor's Degree
Career Opportunities

Courses in the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment offer numerous possibilities, with a range of options and specialisations to prepare and support your transition into the workplace. The opportunities for openness available in the curriculum and the generalist nature of courses in geography, sustainability and environmental sciences allow you to engage in a variety of activities, leading to numerous professional sectors based on excellent, versatile foundations; the Faculty also delivers training in specific areas requiring specialist knowledge (regional development, geographical information systems (GIS), hydrology, etc.). In terms of Earth Sciences, geologists generally take up more specialised positions in a specific area of geology. Biogeosciences graduates are generally associated with nature and soil management, or impact studies.

Areas of activity

Sustainability

  • Consultancy firms or consultants specialising in sustainability strategies
  • Administrative authorities with responsibility for environmental policies
  • Environmental
protection movements
  • Research institutions
  • Environmental management 
in corporate environments
  • Journalism
  • Creating your own business

Tourism studies

  • Tourist offices
  • Destination management organisations
  • Tourism lobbying organisations
  • National, regional or local public administrative authorities involved in tourism, transport, development, urban planning, culture and events
  • R&D departments of large tourism groups
  • Design and engineering offices
  • Regional natural parks
  • International organisations and NGOs
  • Scientific and academic careers
  • Emerging roles linked to sustainable tourism (Agenda 21 coordination and evaluation of tourism policies)

Geography

  • Urban planning services

  • Development offices

  • Territorial development project coordination

  • Sustainable urban development consultancy
  • Active involvement in mountain environments
  • Active involvement in development in countries in the global south
  • Teaching

Environmental sciences

  • Research institutions

  • Design and engineering offices

  • Administrative authorities with responsibility for environmental problems

  • Non-governmental environmental protection organisations
  • Environmental management in corporate environments
  • Academic careers

Biogeosciences

  • Federal and cantonal administration
  • Non-governmental organisations

  • Design and engineering offices

  • Nature conservation and management
  • Soil conservation and management
  • Academic careers

Geology

  • Natural hazards and risks
  • Applied geology offices
  • Environmental assessments
  • Geoenergy research
  • Mining industry
  • Technical industry

  • Cantonal/federal administration
  • Academic careers in Switzerland and abroad
  • Various NGOs

In figures

 

Every two years, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (OFS) conducts a survey on graduate employment, one year after students have completed their course. View the results for Geosciences and Environment graduates online:

 

The Faculty of Geosciences and Environment has also carried out its own survey with Master of Geography graduates

Examples of positions

Subject to changes.
The French version prevails. Only the official texts should be considered binding.
Last update: 8 August 2023

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Interested? Download the full presentation! (in French)

Couverture GSE 2015

Further Information

Faculté des géosciences et de l'environnement

Université de Lausanne
Bâtiment Géopolis
1015 Lausanne

gse.acad@unil.ch
www.unil.ch/gse

Applications

Unicentre - CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 692 11 11
Fax +41 21 692 20 15