The Earth Science and Chemistry Departments as well as various departments in the Social Sciences are located on the campus of the University of Hamburg close to Dammtor Station. The Geology and Mineralogy Museums are at Bundesstrasse 55 and Grindelallee 48 respectively. Academic units of the Physics and Biology Departments are located partially on campus and partially at other sites in Hamburg. Starting from the study of organisms and their organization in populations, the environmental sciences focus especially on the description and analysis of ecosystems using biological, chemical and physical principles to quantify the relations between biosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere. The flow of energy, of mineral elements and of nutritional macroelements are analysed in order to identify limiting factors in stability and in development of complex biological systems.
Some current work focuses on issues of applied ecology.
Collaboration is promoted with geology, chemistry and soil science as well as with selected components of international forestry management. Courses offered in the summer semester of 2000 are announced on the web. Example - Courses Individual design of Subsidiary Courses from the Environmental Sciences Program is subject to approval by an advisor and mentor.