Geisenheim - your place of study and research

Students who opt for Geisenheim will find not only a high level of excellence in research and academics but also an outstanding quality of daily life. The Geisenheim Faculty of the Hochschule RheinMain University of Applied Sciences is located on a campus with a number of interesting institutions, starting with the Geisenheim Research Center, founded in 1872.

It can be seen as a traditional “campus university”: study and research facilities, dormitories and residences for students and staff as well as the rest of the university infrastructure with its open areas, are grouped together. This creates ideal conditions for a successful and enjoyable academic career, as can already be attested by hundreds of alumni. The unique academic atmosphere in Geisenheim leads to a true feeling of family among students and faculty.

As mentioned earlier, the internationally renowned Geisenheim Research Center is, historically speaking as well as today, the senior partner on campus. Initially it was in charge of research in wine growing, pomology as well as organizing a course of studies for a degree in engineering in viticulture and horticulture. In 1972 the areas of research and study were separated in line with changes in policies in higher education. This led to the creation of two faculties in Geisenheim belonging to the Wiesbaden University of Applied Sciences: Viticulture and Beverage Technology as well as Horticulture and Landscape Management. In 2005 these two faculties were ultimately merged into the Geisenheim Faculty. This means that we now have two closely intertwined institutions on campus, making ideal use of synergies.

In addition, the State Agricultural Enterprise integrated its horticultural centre into the Campus two years ago, bringing with it seventeen staff members who approach scientific issues related to horticultural research and advanced horticultural studies. Since the spin-off of Campus Geisenheim GmbH in 2008, the range of offerings has been made even more effective and attractive.  

“Friends invite the world”: this inspiring slogan from the 2006 World Cup also applies to life and work on the Geisenheim Campus where one of Germany's most stunning cultivated landscapes serves as a backdrop for encounters between personalities from the entire world. Here they can exchange viewpoints and experiences in research and academics. Wine and its cultural heritage, the wonderful horticultural products and the beautifully tended landscapes provide us with an inspiring range of tasks. Our long history and our students' global orientation are reflected in our daily work.

A number of organisations, clubs and groups have grown up on campus, starting with the Alumni Association (VEG) founded in 1894, and the “Friends of the Geisenheim Research Center Society” which is chaired by the former Federal Minister Dr. Franz-Josef Jung. The German Oenologist Association (BDO) maintains close contact with the Campus through its branch office and the editorial office of its journal Der Oenologe, both located on site.

Two student associations, the Rhenania and Rheno-Concordia, are also major contributors to social life on campus.

The City of Geisenheim, with its population of around 11,000, is located on the Rhine between Wiesbaden and Rüdesheim and is renowned for its wines, schools, and cathedral. It is popularly known as the “City of Lime Trees”. The city itself stretches from the Rhine along the southern slopes of the Rheingau hills to the main ridge of the Taunus hills. There are vineyards planted halfway up the slopes surrounding Geisenheim and Johannisberg, with forests above them. Living and studying – Geisenheim offers a quality range of recreational and leisure activities. A number of sports halls, an indoor as well as outdoor swimming pool, a sports field as well as opportunities for water sports are available privately or as part of the university’s athletics program.

Innumerable inns, restaurants, wine bars as well as vintners' taverns offer regional delicacies and dining. And if you want a bit more excitement, then the state capital of Wiesbaden offers true urban flair only 20 minutes away by public transport with a student semester ticket.

Laboratory facilities and equipment

All students of Viticulture, Oenology, International Wine Business and Beverage Technology have access to specially equipped laboratories for use in their studies.

The existing laboratory equipment for students was significantly improved with the opening of the new Central Institute and Laboratory Building (ZIG) in March 2010. The laboratories come with preparation rooms as well as other essential facilities and teaching collections. The laboratories are also used in part for other degree programs.

Along with the specially provided study laboratories, the departmental research laboratories at the Research Center can also be used for completing thesis work.

During their practical laboratory work and exercises, students are supervised by professors from the faculty, other scientists, research assistants and lab engineers or other comparably qualified personnel. The laboratories are accessible to the students during their scheduled practical work and exercises. Special arrangements can be made for laboratory trials as part of dissertation projects.

The Faculty Geisenheim ensures that all students can take full advantage of the facilities in those semesters in which their practicals and exercises are scheduled.

Workplace safety regulations understandably forbid access to the laboratories outside of the established times for practicals, exercises or for dissertation work.

Laboratories and practice rooms

• physics laboratory
• chemistry practicals room
• beverage center
• test brewery
• research cellar (beverage technology)
• pilot plant (viniculture)
• research cellar (viniculture)
• sparkling wines cellar
• tasting room for sensory evaluation, with separate tasting booths
• biology practicals room
• wine chemistry practicals room
• soil sciences practicals room

Access to literature, computers and laboratory work space is a key support factor for studying and teaching. Most literature and computers are available centrally; laboratory access is available primarily at the institutes.

The library on the Geisenheim Campus consists of a main library and seventeen departmental libraries. The main library is in the new lecture hall building, the other collections are distributed throughout the departments. The library collections are oriented towards all the degree programs offered at Geisenheim as well as the core research areas at the Geisenheim Research Center.

Overall, the various libraries have over 117,473 works at their disposal.

These consist of:
•    19,917 monographs on open stacks at the main library,
•    10,011 journal volumes on open stacks at the main library,
•    43,106 journals and monographs on closed stacks.

The remaining collections are located in the departmental libraries.

There are currently a total of 512 periodicals available at the main and departmental libraries. In addition, there is a collection of 4,957 undergraduate dissertations available in the library. The library is connected to the inter-library loan system and participates in online lending.

Other media (cards, microfiche, audio)

The library collection is primarily oriented towards printed media. There are also 630 digital data carriers (microfiche, CD-ROM and DVD).

Acquisition/management and coordination

New acquisitions are made in collaboration with our two library representatives and the departmental instructors.

Student access/electronic access

The main library opening hours during regular terms:

• Mo-Thu 9am-7pm
• Fr 9am–4pm

Opening hours during semester breaks:

• Mo, Thu, Fr 9-12am
• Tue, Thu 9am-6pm

The library internet sites are freely accessible. The catalogue, which includes 5,155 e-books, the collection of dissertations (with abstracts), specialist links and general information are available outside regular opening hours.