Spatial Sciences minor

Spatial sciences covers a wide range of disciplines and fields whose common feature is the analysis and planning of natural and cultural spaces.

Studying Spatial Sciences minor

Spatial sciences covers fields such as natural and cultural geography, economics, soil and water management, land use planning and the protection of natural and cultural landscapes. Sustainability is the overarching theme: the objective is to use space in a way that is ecological and offers long-term economic benefits.
Land use should also take account of social justice and equity, consider and promote questions of culture and gender and enable social participation. Amidst this diversity, spatial sciences discovers and analyses structures, describes the theoretical context and connections, highlights necessary political and planning measures and develops practical options for action.

Course content

The Spatial Sciences minor covers aspects such as:

• Explaining the emergence of natural and cultural landscapes
• Analysing the potential for use and need for protection
• Recognising risks and conflicts of use
• Applying conceptual findings from engineering (civil and hydraulic engineering)
• Developing optimisation strategies for regional development
• Considering socio-economic and ecological issues in optimisation strategies

The Spatial Sciences minor is embedded in the interdisciplinary College study model with Leuphana Semester, Major and Complementary Studies. You start your Bachelor studies with the Leuphana semester. The first semester at Leuphana College gives you the opportunity to deal fundamentally with science. The Minor deepens or supplements your Major with another subject area. In Complementary Studies you have the freedom to pursue your thirst for knowledge individually by immersing yourself in a different field of knowledge each semester.

Compulsory modules

Study regulations / Subject-Specific Schedule

• You will find detailed information on the study contents of the minor modules in the Subject-Specific Schedule to Spatial Sciences minor.

Possible combinations of majors (main subjects)

The Spatial Sciences minor can be studied in combination with one of the following Major:

• Cultural Studies (GER)
• Digital Media (ENG)
• Economics (GER)
• Environmental Sciences (GER)
• Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENG)
• International Business Administration & Entrepreneurship (ENG)
• Political Science (GER)
• Studium Individuale (ENG)

Language of instruction

ENG English-language major: no German required
GER German-language major: German required

The skills you learn on this programme are needed in both research and industry, for example in the selection of sites for industrial plants, in general municipal or regional development planning, in defining conservation areas, in developing strategies to adapt to climate change and in commercial and tourist organisations.

A degree in spatial sciences will enable you to take an active part in academic, scientific and social debates and decision-making processes.

On the Spatial Sciences minor, you have the chance to choose your own combination of modules. You can either select one of the three set profiles or create your own.

1) Land use planning and sustainable land use – focus on building

The “Land use planning and sustainable land use – building” profile supplements and builds on what you learn in your main subject: you expand your knowledge of theory and acquire practical skills, for example in land use planning and project management.

Recommended main subjects

The “Land use planning and sustainable land use – building” profile is an excellent option for combination with the following main subjects:

• Cultural Studies (GER)
• Digital Media (ENG)
• Environmental Sciences (GER)
• Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENG)
• International Business Administration & Entrepreneurship (ENG)
• Political Science (GER)

ENG English-language major: no German required
GER German-language major: German required

Prospects

The “Land use planning and sustainable land use – building” profile will qualify you for work in the following areas:

• Private planning consultancies
• Public planning departments and political consultancy
• Tourism institutions, in particular in the field of natural and cultural landscapes
• Research institutions

2) Land use planning and sustainable land use – focus on natural and cultural landscapes

In the “Land use planning and sustainable land use – natural and cultural landscapes” profile, you will acquire the basic knowledge and skills to understand the development, nature and functions of natural abiotic resources and ecosystems and their biota. You will explore current aspects of land and soil use, such as the analysis and planning of possible adjustments to climate change, and soil and climate protection. The profile covers aspects of sustainable development.

Recommended main subjects

The “Land use planning and sustainable land use – natural and cultural landscapes” profile is an excellent option for combination with the following main subjects:

• Cultural Studies (GER)
• Environmental Sciences (GER)
• Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENG)

ENG English-language major: no German required
GER German-language major: German required

Prospects
The “Land use planning and sustainable land use – natural and cultural landscapes” profile will qualify you for work in the following areas:

• Private planning consultancies
• Public planning departments and political consultancy
• (Tourism) development, in particular in the protection of natural and cultural landscapes
• Research institutions

3) Resource planning and conservation profile

The “Resource planning and conservation” profile supplements and builds on what you learn in your main subject: you will broaden your knowledge of the theory and develop applied, practical skills. The focus is on abiotic resources and on environmental protection and conservation.

Recommended main subjects

The “Resource planning and conservation” profile is an excellent option for combination with the following main subjects:

• Cultural Studies (GER)
• Environmental Sciences (GER)
• Global Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENG)
• Political Science (GER)

ENG English-language major: no German required
GER German-language major: German required

Prospects
The “Resource planning and conservation” profile will qualify you for work in the following areas:

• Private planning consultancies
• Public planning departments and political consultancy
• Associations and institutions working on the protection of natural and cultural landscapes
• Research institutions

Important

The nature of your qualification and graduate profile depends on the content of modules/classes on the Spatial Sciences minor – is your main focus on economic, environmental, research or planning aspects? – and on your chosen specialisation in your main subject.

The Spatial Sciences minor covers relevant content for work in the following areas:

• Private location planning and planning consultancies
• Municipal / regional business development
• Public planning departments and political consultancy
• (Tourism) development, and protection of natural and cultural landscapes

The nature of your overall qualification and graduate profile depends on your focus in your choice of modules / classes (for example largely economic, largely environmental, or largely on research or planning) and on your chosen specialisation in your main subject.

• final degree: Spatial Sciences minor can only be studied in combination with a major
• standard course length: 4 semesters (2 years)
• admission restrictions: yes
• deadline for applications: 15 July of each year
• beginning of the course: April of each year (summer semester)
• number of student places: 65
• teaching and examination language: German / English*

* You can study the Spatial Sciences minor entirely in English.

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