Curriculum
Course program
The educational program of the IMPRS-gBGC consists of courses related to global biogeochemical cycles, transferable skill courses, outreach activities and other scientific activities. Doctoral researchers must attend the mandatory overview course, two of four core courses, as well as skill and elective courses that are special to the IMPRS-gBGC member’s interests in the section 'Courses related to global biogeochemical cycles'. The elective course(s) may include offerings such as special summer research schools or offerings at outside Universities and must be approved by the PhD advisory committee. Transferable courses are offered inside and outside the IMPRS-gBGC. According to the ECTS minimum 1 credit point (CP) has to be achieved in transferable skill courses. The course 'Rules of good scientific practice' is mandatory for doctoral researchers of the IMPRS-gBGC. Credited outreach activities are presentations at international conferences, publications in an international peer-reviewed journal and public outreach. In addition, doctoral researchers will be required to make a three month foreign research visit (other scientific activity).
In the course of the three-year doctoral program, a minimum of 20 CP has to be achieved. Doctoral researchers are asked to list their activities using the template:
- All courses offered and organized by the IMPRS-gBGC are listed in the table below.
- Detailed information on upcoming courses are announced on the home page and by email.
- See here for an overview and further information of past courses
- Further scientific and non-scientific exchange opportunities are listed here.
Biogeochem. Cycles in the Earth System - an overview
Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System
by: Sönke Zaehle
Upcoming dates: Mar 2025
prior dates: Mar 2024; Apr 2023; Apr 2022; Mar 2021; Mar 2020, Nov/Dec 2018; Nov/Dec 2017; Nov/Dec 2016; Nov 2015; Jun 2014; Feb 2013; Feb 2012; Dec 2010
Core course
Atmosphere, Oceans and Land
by Christoph Gerbig, Axel Kleidon, Mathias Göckede, Santiago Botía, Tarek El-Madany
upcoming dates: summer 2025
prior dates: Jun 2023; Jan 2021; Feb-Mar 2018; Feb-Mar 2016; Jan 2014; May 2011
Terrestrial Biosphere
by: Christine Römermann, Markus Lange, Jianbei Huang, Jens Kattge, Axel Kleidon, Phillip Papastefanou
upcoming dates: fall 2026
prior dates: Sep-Oct 2024; Sep-Nov 2022; Apr 2020; Aug-Sep 2017; May 2015; July 2013
Soil, soil biology and soil hydrology
by Gerd Gleixner, Anke Hildebrandt, Marion Schrumpf, Markus Lange, Zander Human, Bernhard Ahrens
upcoming dates: fall 2025
prior dates: Oct 2023; Oct 2021; May 2019; May 2017; Mar 2015; July 2013; May 2011
Skill courses
Applied statistics and data analysis - Part 1
by Jens Schumacher
upcoming dates: 2025/26
prior dates: Sep 2023; Nov 2020; Sep 2017; Sep 2015; Oct 2013; Mar 2011
Applied statistics and data analysis - Part 2
by Martin Jung, Christian Reimers
upcoming dates: 2025/26
prior dates: Nov 2023; Nov 2020; Jan 2018; Sep 2016; Nov 2013; Mar 2011
Analytical techniques
by Georg Pohnert and colleagues, Gerd Gleixner and colleagues, Armin Jordan, Axel Steinhof, Heiko Moossen, Iris Kuhlmann, Ines Hilke
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Nov 2019, Sep-Oct 2016; Apr 2013
Radiocarbon in Ecology and Earth System Science
by Susan Trumbore, Carlos Sierra and Axel Steinhof
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Jul 2024, Aug 2017; Jul 2012; Nov 2011
Remote sensing / Earth observation techniques
by Nuno Carvalhais / Christiane Schmullius
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Mar 2023; Sep 2018; Oct 2014; Feb 2011
Modelling & numerical techniques
by: Carlos Sierra, Axel Kleidon, Phillip Papastefanou
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Sep 2021; Nov 2018, Autumn 2015; Autumn 2013
R - The basics
by early career researchers
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Sep 2023; June 2022, Feb 2019, Apr 2018; Apr 2017; May 2016; Mar 2015; Oct 2014; Oct 2013; Apr 2012
R - Advanced modules
by: Thomas Wutzler, Fabian Gans, ...
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Sep 2020, Jun 2018; Spring 2015; Spring 2012
Python
by: Jacob Nelson, Sujan Koirala
upoming dates: Nov 2023
prior dates: Sep 2021; Nov 2018, Mar 2017; Spring 2016
Julia programming
by: Fabian Gans, Nora Linscheid, Lazaro Alonso Silva, Felix Cremer
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Sep 2022; Jan 2019
Learning Fortran basics to advanced
by: Jan Engel
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: spring 2024
Technical Tools and Support at MPI-BGC and beyond
by: Thomas Wutzler, Jan Engel, Sujan Koirala, Fabian Gans and Uli Weber
upcoming dates: Nov 2023
prior dates: Sep 2021; Sep 2020
Transferable skill course
Scientific Writing
upcoming dates: Mar 2025
prior dates: Apr 2024; Jan 2024; Mar 2023; Mar 2022; Nov 2021; June 2021; Apr 2020; Mar 2019; Mar 2018; Mar 2017; Oct 2016; Oct 2015; Jun 2014; Nov 2013; Apr 2013; Oct 2012
Data visualization
upcoming dates: fall 2025
prior dates: Jun 2024; Feb 2023; Feb 2022; Dec 2021; Dec 2020; Nov 2019; Dec 2018; Dec 2017; Dec 2016; Dec 2015; Nov 2014; Nov 2013
Presentation skills
upcoming dates: Feb 2025
prior dates: Oct 2017; May 2013; May 2012; Nov 2011
Poster presentation / Graphic design
upcoming dates: Feb 2025
prior dates: Feb 2024; Dec 2023; Nov 2022; Sep 2014
Resilienz / Self- and Time Management
upcoming dates: Jan 2025
prior dates: Feb 2023; Dec 2022; May 2021; Dec 2020; Dec 2019; Oct 2018; Apr 2018; Sep 2016; Apr 2014; Nov 2012; Feb 2012
Grant Proposal Writing
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: June 2023; July 2021; Nov 2020; Sep 2018; Mar 2017; Mar 2016; Dec 2012
Rules of Good Scientific Practice
upcoming dates: Dec 2024
prior dates: Mar 2024; Feb 2023; Jan 2022; Jan 2021; Jan 2020, Jan 2019; Jan 2018; Mar 2017; Feb 2016; Mar 2015; Jan 2014; Apr 2011
Leadership and management skills
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Nov 2017; Feb 2015
Project management
upcoming dates: Oct 2024
prior dates: Sep 2020; Nov 2018; Sep 2016
Communication skills or Conflict Management
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Nov 2021; Mar 2021; Sep 2019, May 2016; Jan 2016
PR & media workshop
upcoming dates: on demand
prior dates: Oct 2024; Sep 2019; May 2017; Jan 2016; 2019
Career planning workshop
upcoming dates: Jan 2025
prior dates: Jun 2024; Mar 2024; Nov 2022; May 2022; May 2020; May 2019; May 2018; Jun 2017; Nov 2016; Nov 2015
Courses Archive
Paleoclimate
by Peter Frenzel
dates: Nov/Dec 2018; Aug 2018; Oct 2014; Mar 2012
Climate policy
by Andreas Freytag, Leo Wangler, Michael Hüttner
dates: Nov 2011
Nitrogen in the Earth system
by James Galloway, Ernst-Detlef Schulze, Sönke Zaehle, ...
dates: Feb 2013