Master's Programme in Earth Sciences
Summary
This programme offers a specialized education in Geology or Climatology/Physical Geography. You gain in-depth knowledge of both natural geoscientific processes and the climate changes that affect our time, while being trained in modern analytical tools and advanced lab techniques. The programme equips you to work with qualified tasks in infrastructure and urban planning, the development of sustainable energy systems, climate adaptation and sustainable environmental protection.
About
The programme is interdisciplinary with a strong foundation in natural sciences. It provides cutting-edge tools for learning in fields like climate modeling, green energy resources and environment monitoring. You will gain experience in modern technologies and high-end instrumentation, such as dendrochronology, remote sensing and geochemistry.
Specialization
The program has two specializations: Geology and Climatology/Physical Geography. You either focus entirely on one area of interest, or take courses in both subjects, provided you are eligible for the course.
Geology
You gain in-depth knowledge of mineral and rock formation, and complexities of natural resources, especially metals and water. The geology specialization includes field courses, laboratory sessions and several excursions in the local area as well as outside the region. A more extensive field trip is offered. This field trip has previous gone to Italy or Oman for example. You can also carry out fieldwork within Scandinavia. The fieldwork can be included in your Master's project.
The program maintains strong ties with the business community and addresses the geoscience industry's demand for skills essential to society's green transition. Your teachers are both researchers in the subject and geologists active in industry, such as project managers and consultants in regional infrastructure projects. Your project work and courses are linked to the research at the Department of Earth Sciences, where you work in state-of-the-art lab environments under the supervision of researchers.
Physical Geography/Climatology
You gain in-depth knowledge of how the Earth's processes and landforms are affected by human activity, what the consequences are for the environment and climate, and how the problems can be prevented and remedied. You sharpen your skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, programming, and in modeling and analysis of modeled climate scenarios at different scales. This gives you a high level of competence in areas such as environmental protection and natural resource management and will prepare you for work in both the private and public sector, as well as pursuing doctoral studies. During your first year in the climatology program, you will also go on an extensive field course to an international research facility.
Based on your area of interest, it is possible to do field studies at the Skogaryd Research Station - a national field station consisting of different ecosystems. Here, observations, environmental monitoring and high-tech research experiments are carried out. Field studies can also be carried out at the Latnjajaure research station in northern Sweden. The University of Gothenburg has conducted climate research at this station since 1990, focusing on the impact of climate warming on Arctic vegetation.
Thesis project
Your thesis project work comprises 45 or 60 credits and deepens your knowledge of scientific work, analysis and reporting of scientific results. The courses you choose during the program, whether it is a field trip, a lab course or a seminar, will ultimately contribute to your project work.
Earth Science Seminar
The Earth Science Seminar brings together all students in the Master's Program in Earth Sciences. Through the seminar, you are introduced to the program, meet researchers, teachers and professionals, learn about the job market and PhD possibilities. The seminar is an important forum for dialogue and sense of community within the program.
Programme structure
Who should apply?
- Have you studied geology, physical geography, or climatology and want to improve your skills?
- Is your career aimed at supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the areas of climate action, sustainable cities, green energy and resource distribution?
- Do you want to build a skillset in GIS and/or Remote Sensing tools, gaining cutting edge in-demand expertise?
Prerequisites and selection
Entry requirements
Admission to the N2GVS Master's Programme in Earth Sciences, requires a university or college degree consisting of at least 180 credits, with at least 120 credits within Earth Sciences. Applicants with equivalent education may be admitted to the programme after review and approval.
International applicants must prove their knowledge of English corresponding to English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School. For more information, see English language requirements on Universityadmissions.se.
Other entry requirements are documented in the respective syllabus.
Assessment of qualifications
Application and admission
If your application leads to an admission, you will be contacted by academic counselling for your course selection for your first fall term. Academic counselling can support you with your choices. You have guaranteed placement to all elective courses offered by our departmen (coursecodes start with: GVG-, MP-, GVN-, GVK-).
Course plan
Once admitted to the programme, you will create a course plan in conjunction with the programme leadership and study counsellor.
Selection
Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.
After graduation
The programme equips you to work in advanced geoscience applications in industry, business or the public sector. You will also be highly qualified to pursue PhD studies.
Past students are employed in regional, national and international companies and organizations. They work in natural resource and environmental management, as well as the energy-, insurance- and construction sectors on infrastructure projects and the green transition. Former students also work as consultants or project managers, in government agencies and institutes. The job market for our students is good.
Facilities
The programme is offered by the Department of Earth Sciences, which is characterized by an international and diverse environment with links to international research groups. You will work in close collaboration with teachers/researchers with stron links to the regional geoscience sector.
State of the art lab facilities are used in your training, for example:
• Dendrochronology, tree ring research
• Drone, LIDAR/Satellit
• Ice and microplastic
• Microgeochemistry
• Soil sampling and polar ecology
• Raman microscope
• Volatile organic compounds, VOCs
Read more about the Department of Earth Sciences research areas, research groups and current projects
Exchange opportunities
Did you know that as a degree-seeking student you study abroad? You can study at one of our partner universities around the world and get your credits recognized within your degree from the University of Gothenburg. You also have opportunities for an internship at a company or organization abroad. There are many opportunities. You can receive a placement at an EU institution, conduct field studies in a developing country (Minor Field Studies), or receive an Erasmus placement at a company or an organization. Contact: studyabroad.@gvc.gu.se
