Teaching activities of the biogeology team

The Biogeology research group offers a diverse range of engaging courses and lectures across multiple Bachelor’s and Master’s programs within the Department of Geosciences. Our teaching also extends into the fields of Archaeological Science (ASHE) and Biology, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of ancient life and environments.

Master courses

M.Sc. Geosciences

M.sc. Geoecology

M.Sc. Archaeological Sciences and Human Evolution (ASHE)

M.Sc. Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution (BEE)

Bachelor courses

B.Sc. Geosciences

B.Sc. Geoecology, Environmental Natural Science

B.Sc. Archeological Sciences

B.Sc. Biology

Projects and theses

Open master projects

Life history of Pleistocene foxes: Reconstruction of paleo-synanthropism

Description: Isotope study of teeth and mandibles of individual Pleistocene foxes previously identified as paleo-synanthropes (Baumann et al. 2020) to determine when in the animals' lives the trophic impact of humans occurred.
Methods: Lab work (collagen extraction, δ13C & δ15N analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, MixSIAR diet modeling, SIBER niche modeling)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Zooarchaeology, Archaeometry), M.Sc. Geosciences (Geoecology, Paleontology)
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Chris Baumann

Reconstruction of the early phase in wolf domestication

Description: Isotope study of teeth and mandibles of different individual Magdalenian wolves in an early domestication phase from the Hegau Jura to determine when in the animals' lives a trophic impact of humans occurred.
Methods: Lab work (collagen extraction, δ13C & δ15N analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, MixSIAR diet modeling, SIBER niche modeling)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Zooarchaeology, Archaeometry)
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Chris Baumann

Life history of modern wildcats and domestic cats

Description: Isotope study of hair, whiskers, ribs, and vertebras of different individual wildcats and domestic cats from Thuringia to determine if there is a trophic niche overlap of both species and if this pattern changed over the life time of these animals.
Methods: Lab work (collagen extraction, δ13C & δ15N analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, SIBER niche modeling, ecological niche reconstruction)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Zooarchaeology, Archaeometry), M.Sc. Biology (Zoology)
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Chris Baumann

Small mammal isotopes and climate reconstruction

Description: Isotope study of Pleistocene small mammal teeth from the Swabian Jura to test if the results are suitable for climate reconstruction (Challenge of dentin contaminated enamel samples). 
Methods: Lab work (carbonate pretreatment, δ13C & δ18O analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, SIBER niche modeling, ecological niche reconstruction, climate reconstruction)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Zooarchaeology, Archaeometry), M.Sc. Geosciences (Geoecology, Paleontology), B.Sc. Geosciences
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Chris Baumann

Isotopic fingerprint of ecosystems

Description: Isotope study of modern plant samples from different localities in the Ammer Valley to study if there is a possible isotopic fingerprint of ecosystems. 
Methods: Field work (collecting plants), lab work (plant preparation, δ13C & δ15N analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, SIBER niche modeling, ecological niche reconstruction)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Archaeobotanical), M.Sc. Biology (Botany), M.Sc. Geoscience (Geoecology)
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Martin Ebner, Dr. Chris Baumann

Open bachelor projects

Small mammal isotopes and climate reconstruction

Description: Isotope study of Pleistocene small mammal teeth from the Swabian Jura to test if the results are suitable for climate reconstruction (Challenge of dentin contaminated enamel samples). 
Methods: Lab work (carbonate pretreatment, δ13C & δ18O analysis), statistical modeling (R knowledge required, SIBER niche modeling, ecological niche reconstruction, climate reconstruction)
Suitable for: M.Sc. ASHE (Zooarchaeology, Archaeometry), M.Sc. Geosciences (Geoecology, Paleontology), B.Sc. Geosciences
Specialist supervisor: Dr. Chris Baumann