Specialisations - Earth and Environment
At the start of your master's Earth and Environment, together with your Study Adviser, you design your personalised MSc programme based on your choice of specialisation. The specialisation subjects range from a micro level to a global scale and are closely related to innovative research programmes at Wageningen. Your specialisation includes a number of courses that prepare you for your specific thesis subject at one of the ten Chair Groups. You also select other courses from other tracks or even outside the master's programmes to deepen or broaden your knowledge. Whichever path you select, you always gain an in-depth and broad view of the interactions in the field of Earth and Environment. You can choose from one of four specialisations listed on this page.
Hydrology and Water Resources
You are interested in the effects of climate change and other influences on the water balance of catchments, you want to understand the influence of water and solute distribution on vegetation/spreading of pollutants, or you would like to support optimal land management when dealing with hydrological extremes. Then the specialisation Hydrology and Water Resources might be interesting for you.
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Meteorology and Air Quality
This specialisation allows you to specialise as a meteorologist, air quality consultant or as an atmospheric scientist. With your research you will contribute to the further understanding of atmospheric processes and their relevance for weather and climate. You take courses in the fields of Weather and Climate Dynamics, Urban Meteorology and Air Quality, Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Quality, Boundary-Layer Meteorology and Land-Atmosphere Interactions.
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Biology and Chemistry of Soil and Water
This specialisation allows you to develop an in-depth understanding of chemical and biological processes and their interactions in soils and natural waters, and their role in the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in a world that faces increasing anthropogenic pressures. You learn how these insights can contribute to develop effective strategies for the preservation and restoration of soil and water quality, biodiversity, and the functioning of natural ecosystems and the services they provide. Among the key focal points are soil fertility, carbon and nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas balancing, and the fate and effects of contaminants in soil and water systems. You will study the underlying chemical and biological processes, their interactions and effects from the laboratory to the field scale, using analytical measurements and mathematical models.
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Soil Geography and Earth Surface Dynamics
This specialisation allows you to explore the spatial and temporal processes that are active in soils, landscapes and the wider earth system. It uses an integrative approach that combines biophysical and human elements to gain insight in past, present and future system dynamics. Understanding of soil patterns and landscape dynamics is needed to contribute to the development of alternative land use types that are sustainable and which preserve soil quality. At the same large scale, you develop a deeper understanding of land-atmosphere interactions, the impact of climate change on water and soil resources, adaptation strategies on climate change, and the role of society on these processes.