Study programme - MSc Environmental Sciences
The MSc programme Environmental Sciences runs annually in two sessions, one beginning in September, and one in February. It comprises 120 ECTS credits and takes two academic years to complete. The first year consists of coursework (60 ECTS), the second year consists of the academic internship (24 ECTS) and your thesis (36 ECTS) as the core components of the master’s degree curriculum. Each of these elements is described in more detail below.
Academic year
Year 1
Courses
The coursework consists of several compulsory core subjects or restricted optional subjects of the common part that are mandatory for your programme and your specialisation and thesis track. In addition, you will attend free choice subjects (electives) from any relevant MSc course offered at Wageningen University or another academic institution (subject to approval). Thus, in consultation with your study adviser, your programme can be truly tailor-made.
The common part
| Subject | Code |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | |
| Environmental Quality and Governance | ENP35806 |
| Two e-learning Safety Instructions are compulsory in order to work safely at Wageningen University and in the field (0 ECTS): | |
| General Safety | ZSS06000 |
| Fieldwork Safety | ZSS06200 |
| Compulsory unless your study adviser indicates differently. This depends on your previous education and experience:* | |
| Principles of Environmental Sciences | YRM20306 |
| Research Methodology in Environmental Science | ESA20806 |
| Restricted optional: select one out of these five options ** | |
| Research Master Cluster: Proposal Writing | YWU60312 |
| European Workshop Environmental Sciences and Management | ESA60312 |
| Academic Consultancy Training and Modular Skills Training (MOS) *** | YMC60809 |
| Int. Environmental Policy Consultancy **** | ENP60312 |
| Environmental Education and Learning for Sustainability & Teaching, Learning and Capacity Building for Sustainable Development | ELS31806 ELS32806 |
| Minors (optional) | |
| Environmental Education | |
| Environmental Communication |
Read the Study Handbook, where you can find a more detailed course and programme description.
* Depending on your background, supporting courses might need to be taken if your study adviser deems it necessary. The courses can also support you in preparation of your thesis and focus, for example, on quantitative and data sciences or laboratory skills. You can find the exact list in the study handbook at the section “Restricted Optionals (2) in Common part”.
Specialisations and thesis tracks
You can specialise in the field of your interest by choosing one of the ten different thesis tracks. Each thesis track has its own coursework curriculum. The curriculum can also differ between students depending on their preparatory training. The thesis track-related courses primarily serve to prepare you for your thesis research and internship. A course overview per thesis track can be found on the thesis track-specific pages.
Specialisation A. Environmental Quality
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management
- Soil Biology
- Soil Chemistry and Chemical Soil Quality
- Air Quality and Atmospheric Chemistry
- Toxicology
Specialisation B. Environmental Policy and Economics
- Environmental Policy
- Environmental Economics
Specialisation C. Environmental Technology
- Environmental Technology
Specialisation D. Human-Environmental Systems
- Environmental Systems Analysis
- Water Systems and Global Change
Go to Specialisations and thesis tracks
Free choice
In the programme there is also room for electives which you may use to broaden your scope or to deepen your knowledge on a topic of your specialisation. Have a look at the study handbook and you will get an impression on the courses offered at Wageningen University.
Career-oriented tracks and minor
In addition to the wide choice of scientific disciplines, you can choose to include one of the following career-oriented tracks or minors in your programme:
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainable Development Diplomacy (only thesis track Environmental Policy)
- Research
- Education and Communication
Year 2
Thesis
The thesis (individual research) is part of your thesis track and consists of 24 weeks of research and reporting (36 ECTS). The research is conducted under supervision of a staff member of one of the chair groups that are related to the programme. Students decide in consultation with the thesis supervisor about the topic of their research. Usually this topic originates from subjects put forward by the chair group, by other institutes, or from the student's own research interests. The topic should be linked to the Environmental Sciences programme. Experimental thesis research requiring specialised equipment will usually be part of ongoing research programmes of Wageningen UR departments or research institutes. The research is concluded with a written thesis, which is graded by the supervisor together with another, independent staff member. The student also presents his/her results during a seminar ("colloquium").
Internship
The compulsory internship consists of 24 ECTS credits of project work in an institution outside of Wageningen University. The purpose of the internship is to provide students with a unique learning opportunity to apply learned skills and concepts to a professional setting. The experience gained from the internship also serves to help students focusing on their area of interest, as well as building confidence and maturity in their field.
Internship positions
Whilst securing an internship is primarily a responsibility of the student, the internship coordinator will provide substantial assistance in finding a suitable position, ensuring that the work experience is relevant to the student's study programme. The internship may either be undertaken abroad or in the Netherlands. To receive credits for an internship, students must receive a satisfactory evaluation from both their internship (host) supervisor and supervisor within the MSc Environmental Sciences programme.
Internship exemptions
Depending on prior work experience, it may be possible for students to be exempted from the academic internship (24 ECTS credits). Such an exemption can only be granted on the basis of relevant work experience gained after obtaining the BSc degree. If you would like to be exempted from the internship, you must indicate this on the application form. You must also provide a description of the duration and nature of your work experience following graduation.