Master of Science in Earth Surface and Water
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €20,750: International students
Scholarships
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Introduction
Explore Processes at or near the Earth's Surface
The Master’s program in Earth Surface and Water involves the study of natural and human-induced physical and geochemical processes, patterns, and dynamics of the Earth’s continental and coastal systems. This two-year program provides you with the knowledge that is essential to manage the planet sustainably, guarantee the availability of natural resources for future generations, and understand and avert natural hazards.
The main subject areas you will study consist of the dynamics of coastal and river systems, (geo-)hydrological processes, groundwater remediation, land degradation in drylands and mountainous regions, natural hazards, and delta evolution on centennial and longer timescales.
Program Outcome
Physical geographers, geochemists, and hydrologists are necessary to identify nature’s actions in our modern world, especially with society’s ever-increasing pressure on the natural environment. The Earth Surface and Water program, therefore, focus on imminent societal problems, such as society’s increased vulnerability to climate and environmental changes and to natural hazards such as flooding, storms, and mass movements. It also addresses the threats and opportunities resulting from human activity in our physical environment, including the hydrological cycle.
Curriculum
Core Areas of Research
The Earth Surface and Water program trains students to quantitatively study the natural and human-induced physical and chemical processes, patterns, and dynamics of Earth’s continental and coastal systems as well as their responses to global change. Students explore and understand the modeling capabilities of the past, present, and future as well as the evolution of Earth’s environment, including human impact on this evolution.
In the program, you will address questions such as:
- How do river floods affect delta systems and their inhabitants?
- How can we use natural processes under climate change to maintain safe - yet attractive and dynamic - coastlines?
- How can satellite images be used to estimate erosion losses?
- Will we have enough water to sustain the world’s rapidly increasing population in 2050?
- What is the most efficient way to clean an oil spill that enters the soil and groundwater?
The program trains students to combine field observations and laboratory experiments with the latest developments in remote sensing and computational methods. Research developed by our staff and students has a strong international profile, encompasses scales ranging from microscopic to global, and concerns both past and contemporary processes.
Tracks
Tracks are recommended, coherent combinations of courses from the program. They are meant to help students design their own curriculum and they facilitate specialization within the program.
The Earth Surface and Water program offers the following four tracks:
Geohazards and Earth Observation
Land-degradation processes and natural hazards in and on the Earth's surface
In this track, you will study land-degradation processes and natural hazards in and on the Earth’s surface, with a strong focus on soil erosion, mass movement, land-use changes, land-cover deterioration, and flooding. This focus explicitly addresses the interaction between the natural environment and human activities such as deforestation, energy production, and irrigation. You will use field research, remote sensing, and process-based modeling as integrated tools to quantify land degradation and forecast natural hazards in real-time.
Potential career path: Physical Geographer
Coastal Dynamics and Fluvial Systems
Natural and human-induced processes, patterns, and products in the world's coasts and rivers
This track allows you to investigate the natural and human-induced processes, patterns, and products in the world’s wave-, river-, and tide-dominated coasts and in alluvial rivers (including coast-river interaction). It provides you with a scientific understanding of how coasts and rivers are formed by the dynamic interaction of water motion (waves, tides, and currents), sediment transport, and morphological patterns and how they respond to global change. Field research, laboratory experiments, shore-based remote sensing, and process-based modeling are integral tools that help in quantitative predictions and critical assessments of the impact of large-scale human activities along coasts and rivers. Your focus can be on coasts, rivers, or both.
Potential career path: Physical Geographer
Hydrology
Movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth
In the Hydrology track, you will study the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth, including the hydrological cycle and its impact on water resources. Hydrology focusses on the flow of water, nutrients, and energy between the Earth’s surface and subsoil and between its surface and atmosphere. You will learn to quantify how rainfall is portioned into infiltration, evaporation, and runoff. You will also explore how nutrients in the soil and the Earth’s surface are distributed across the landscape through surface runoff and groundwater flow, and you will examine quantitative descriptions of the spread of pollutants in soil and groundwater. Through the course content, you will gain a detailed understanding of the causes of floods and droughts as well as the deterioration of surface water and groundwater quality.
Potential career path: Hydrologist
Environmental Geochemistry
Processes that control the functioning of natural environments at the Earth's surface
Environmental geochemistry focuses on the processes that control the functioning of natural environments on the Earth’s surface. In this track, you will study how these environments are linked by the hydrological cycle and how their chemistry is strongly influenced by biological activity. These environments are increasingly disturbed by human activity on local, regional, and global scales. This track will provide you with an advanced understanding of how biology, geochemistry, and hydrodynamics interact in these systems. This will help you to predict the consequences of human activity on Earth’s surface environments.
Potential career path: Geochemist
Career Opportunities
Many of our graduates go on to find employment in research. Depending on your personal interests and ambitions, you will be equipped to work in both fundamental and applied research. You can pursue a career in applied research in government institutes, consulting firms, or various industries. Typical professional profiles of our graduates include Physical Geographer, Geochemist, and Hydrologist.
Knowledge of coastal and river management, land use, natural resources, pollution, and hazard mitigation provides you with a good basis for understanding the past, present, and future evolution of Earth’s environment, including human impact on this evolution. The numerous environmental issues currently facing us mean you can pursue a variety of employment opportunities in diverse sectors.