Geography is one of the most diverse fields of study, as it combines scientific and social science research questions and methods. Many of the pressing challenges of the 21st century—climate change, migration, globalisation, desertification, and sustainable urban and regional development—are central subjects of geography courses. These courses provide essential theoretical fundamentals to help understand and address these complex issues.
The scientific branch, "Physical Geography," examines the structure and dynamics of our physical environment, including the forces and processes at work within it. The socially oriented branch, "Human Geography," focuses on the structure of societies and economies, the spatial aspects of human activity, and seeks to identify the causes and effects of social inequalities on scales ranging from local (cities, regions) to global. Geography courses in Frankfurt are delivered through a variety of teaching formats, including lectures, seminars, and extensive project work. For example, students participate in (project) seminar days on-site (field trips) or research-based learning projects. The mentoring/tutoring program and career practice modules provide support for starting a career. The institutes also encourage study abroad opportunities, such as through the ERASMUS+ program.
Geography at Goethe University Frankfurt is one of the largest university geography departments in Germany. It is home to 15 professors and more than 60 academic staff members who teach and carry out research. For students, this means access to a wide range of research and teaching focuses in geography, as well as excellent student-to-faculty ratios with small group sizes.
The Institute for Physical Geography is located in the Geo Center on the Riedberg Campus, which opened in 2007. The Human Geography department is housed in the new Social Sciences building on the Westend Campus, completed in 2013. Both institutes benefit from their locations in these modern facilities, offering excellent infrastructure and state-of-the-art teaching and learning conditions. Students also enjoy close proximity to neighboring disciplines in the natural and social sciences, providing direct access to their facilities—such as laboratories and libraries—and convenient access to seminar offerings in related fields.