Institute of Environmental Physics
About us
Our scientific mission as a branch of physics investigates the flow of energy and matter in our environment in order to better understand the Earth's climate system from the past to the future.
50 Years of Environmental Physics
Norbert Frank
This summer, Environmental Physics is celebrating 50 years of research into the Earth's climate system and its compartments. Over the five decades, thousands of students have studied the chemistry of the atmosphere, the rise in greenhouse gases, climate changes in the ocean, groundwater and soil, as well as in the cryosphere. With experiments from the outer edge of the stratosphere to the abyss of the oceans. We have traveled from the North Pole to Antarctica to study changes in our environment. Training in environmental physics has become an important part of the physics education and today our alumni are also working on climate change issues around the world. We will be celebrating this success story on 18th July 2025 and will announce the location and program asap.
Research
Our research is dedicated to the physical and geochemical processes of the Earth's climate system. The research groups work on these topics using state-of-the-art technologies, from quantum physics to remote sensing, and applying simulation techniques. Our research has led to various institutional collaborations. We also offer our technical expertise and numerical solutions for research and education as services. Our publications are a main product of our research work, alongside the training of young scientists to become independent researchers.
Teaching
Environmental Physics offers numerous lectures with a focus on environmental physics, and modules on the physics of the atmosphere, aquatic systems as well as the earth's climate. Compulsory and master's seminars provide an introduction key scientific topics, and we discuss current environmental research literature in a journal club. Numerous special lectures offer in-depth studies on radiative transfer, remote sensing of the atmosphere, limnology and isotope methods. Environmental Physics also offers practical experiments in the advanced practical course and accompanies research projects of students in our research areas from the project internship to the dissertation.