During the contact internship, all students in the advanced course of study are required to acquire competences related to the professional field.

After successfully completing the module, students have experience...

1. ...with the working methods of an environmental science academic appointment
2. ...with the collection of relevant information, usually through contact with representatives of thematically relevant social groups
3. ...with the development of complex environmental science topics with a view to professional field-specific requirements, problem analysis and/or problem solving
4. ...with the application of various techniques of environmental science work
5. ...with the communication of environmental science issues and own results.

The contact internship has a total of 15 credit points (CP), which corresponds to 450 working hours. The time spent at the internship location is approx. 9 weeks. The internship can be completed in one or two parts, but then within 6 months.

Upon written proposal to the module coordinator (J. Wollschläger), e.g. a voluntary ecological year (FÖJ) or similar activities can be recognised as a practical part, but not in combination with other internship periods. See also "Examination performance" for the requirements for recognition of the contact internship.

Active participation in the seminar (2 SWS) is compulsory and should take place in the 4th to 6th semester. During the semester, students regularly take part in presentations by fellow students and thus gain a broad overview of possible future career fields and practical environmental science topics. Students can also prepare for the contact internships of their fellow students here. Participation is therefore recommended before the internship.

After the practical part, each student presents the results and the environmental science context in a short presentation in the seminar. This should include a discussion of the activities and objectives of the internship. Both the 20-minute presentation and the subsequent discussion (approx. 10 minutes) are included in the examination performance. All teachers present will assess the presentation together.

The examination for the module consists of the internship report, in which the results are presented in written form (approx. 20 pages), and the final presentation. The report accounts for 70% of the overall grade, the presentation for 30%. Active participation in the seminar is compulsory. The module is passed if all partial performances have been completed.

Crediting of a FÖJ/previous internship:
If the contact internship is to be credited from previous experience, a short activity report (2 - 4 pages) is required as proof, in which the type and scope of the work in the internship are described. In addition, a confirmation from the internship centre about the work completed must be enclosed.

Students on the Environmental Sciences degree programme look for their internship on their own initiative. Preliminary discussions should be held to clarify whether internships are possible at a desired institution.

The next step is to make contact with a teacher from the Environmental Sciences degree programme(overview of all authorised examiners in the Marine Sciences → B.Sc. in Environmental Sciences teaching unit) who is suitable for supervision due to their content-related orientation. This internal supervisor must be determined BEFORE the start of the internship.

In consultation with the supervising lecturer, a decision is made on the suitability of the internship and a question is developed that the student will deal with during the internship. If necessary, the internship centre will be consulted. Internal university supervision is also provided during the internship. However, a high degree of independence and initiative on the part of the students is emphasised.

The module coordinator (J. Wollschläger) can also be contacted if you have any questions about the contact internship.

The internship should be meaningfully related to the content and objectives of the Environmental Sciences degree programme. It is recommended that the internship be completed at an institution that is attractive for the future professional field.

In the applied or professional field, the following are possible:

• Planning/assessment offices
• Authorities (nature and environmental protection authorities, municipalities, etc.) and state institutions (NLWKN, LUFA, LAVES)
• Associations/NGOs
• Environmental education centres/museums
• Companies from the environmental and energy sector.

In the research-related, scientific field:

• Working groups of the Carl von Ossietzky University(ICBM, IBU...) or other universities
• other research institutes.

Internships at corresponding institutions abroad are also possible. Funding via an ERASMUS+ internship may also be possible.

As things stand at present, it must be assumed that students on external contact internships are not legally insured against accidents as part of their studies. This is due to the fact that these internships are not part of the university's organisational area of responsibility. More information on this can be found at the German Social Accident Insurance DGUV.

The question of insurance should be clarified with the internship centre. Possibilities include the inclusion of interns in the internship centre's company accident insurance or the private conclusion of (temporary) accident insurance.