This focuses primarily on understanding the processes taking place in the environment and nature, and the relevant methods and insights. Such programmes build on the foundation of a scientific basic study stage (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology) and then offer various specialisations. Examples include the special degree programmes in geoecology and ecology (scientific nature conservation) offered as an element of biology programmes. In geoecology, scientific interest above all focuses on the atmosphere and soils as essential components of an ecosystem. Cross-disciplinary training (including biogeography, soil physics, geomorphology, hydrology, geochemistry) improve the understanding of the wide-ranging areas of interaction. This allows a more specifically-targeted approach to be taken to reducing environmental pollution, facilitating the environmentally-compatible management of ecosystems. The same is true of the applied systems sciences programme in which socio-economic topics are also considered and in which the focus is on creating and applying mathematical models.