The geosciences research area at the University of Basel covers the entire “earth system.” This includes the disciplines of atmospheric sciences, aquatic and isotope biogeochemistry, geology, geoecology, hydrogeology, land use change, physiogeography, and environmental geosciences.

The interdisciplinary structure of the research area reflects the modern understanding of the earth system: physical, chemical, and biological processes—past and present, on the earth's surface and in its interior—are understood as part of an overall system and are recorded, analyzed, and modeled using scientific methods. The impact of humans and their influence on the earth system is also taken into account.

The geography research group focus on physical and socioeconomic processes, which are placed in the specific context of locations and regions, thus providing a differentiated picture of the different cultures, economic systems, political and social systems, physical environments, and landscapes that shape our earth.

The research area offers two fields of study at the bachelor's and master's level: either the geosciences program (BSc/MSc) or the geography program (BA/MA).