The combination of breadth and depth is a distinguishing feature of our Master Programme in Earth Science. This reflects the scientific profile of the Department of Earth Sciences which includes most major fields in the study of our planet: geology, palaeobiology, physical geography, hydrology, geophysics and meteorology, in addition to environmental sciences. The lecturers in the programme are experts in their respective fields, giving you up-to-date contact with front-line research in an open and creative educational atmosphere.
Courses during the first term are common for all students. After that, students gradually specialize by choosing subjects to create a personal competence profile. There are four specializations:
- Geology
- Hydrology/Hydrogeology
- Palaeobiology
- Physical Geography/
Quaternary Geology
The Geology course outline contains the core subjects in mineralogy, petrology, geodynamics and tectonics which reflect the main themes of the research programme including earth material science. Combined with a main course on natural resources the specialization is aimed at preparing the students for a research career or employment as a professional geologist.
The Hydrology/Hydrogeology specialization combines courses on climate variation and the interaction between climate and landscape, and a number of core courses in hydrology. Some of the latter are inclined towards engineering. The level of specialization in hydrology is higher than at any other Swedish university.
Palaeobiology courses range from palaeobiological principles to developmental biology through time, the early evolution of life and the origin and evolution of vertebrates. This is mainly a research-oriented specialization, but has applications also within prospecting geology and the oil industry.
Physical Geography/Quaternary Geology presents climate variation and climate?landscape interaction as the basis for core courses in geomorphology and glaciology. This specialization also includes a course on natural resources in cooperation with geology.
All specializations are complemented by one or two (optional) degree project(s), each corresponding to one term (20 weeks).
