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More about master in environmental science

After you have taken a bachelor's degree, you can apply for one of our four master's programs in environmental science. The master's programs extend over two years, which corresponds to 120 higher education credits. Most programs are also aimed at foreign students and the teaching is therefore given in English.

Environmental Sciences

Environmental science studies the threats to our common future on Earth, but also the opportunities human society has to tackle these challenges. As a student of the master’s programme in Environmental Science, you will gain in-depth knowledge and competence regarding all aspects of environmental problems (causes, emissions, impacts, and mitigation measures), and how those aspects interact. You will be prepared to work as an environmental expert, working towards a sustainable future.

The structure of the program

The program begins with a mandatory semester including four advanced environmental science courses, each worth 7.5 HEC:

Then, based on your background and self-interest, you can choose to specialize. For example, you can take one of the following courses at the advanced level:

You can also choose courses in applied environmental science:

The program ends with your degree project, which can be carried out in close collaboration with a research group or linked to a state or private organization.

Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems

The master’s programme in Atmosphere, Climate, and Ecosystems adds resources to the understanding of and solutions for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides you with the opportunity to study the complex global system made up of the atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems, and the related global challenges. As a graduate of the programme, you will be prepared to enter society with broad knowledge in natural science and special competence in a specialized field of science, intermixed with global challenges.

The structure of the program
The program begins with four mandatory courses during the first semester:

In the second term of the first year, you choose a specialization in either atmospheric science, climatology, or ecosystems. Proposed courses within each specialization are listed below. You can also mix courses from more than profile.

Atmospheric Science:

Period 3: Energy and Environment: Processes, Efficiency, and Impacts (ES2417), 15 HEC
Period 4: Aerosols (KEM720), 15 HEC

Climatology:

Period 3, octil 1: Climate change history (GVN360), 7,5 HEC
Period 3, octil 2: Advanced Climate Data Analysis (GVN370), 7,5 HEC
Period 4: Earth Systems, Field Course, 15 HEC

Ecosystems:

Period 3: Plant ecophysiology in a global change perspective (BIO506), 15 HEC
Period 4: Plant ecology in a global change perspective (BIO503), 15 HEC

Year 2

In the final year, you do your degree project, which comprises 60 higher education credits (alternatively 45 higher education credits degree project + 15 elective higher education credits). The degree project gives you valuable experience in research, regardless of whether you do it within the university or in collaboration with a research-related company. We have good contacts with several such companies in the region.

A year-long research related thesis project, with the combination of atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems will set you apart in the future job market, both in research and environmental authorities. Our links to research-related companies (Ri.se and IVL for example) is beneficial to those pursuing work in the private sector. The majority of our students do an experimental thesis project, addressing a research question closely connected to a real research task of the group or principal investigator acting as supervisor. In most cases, students work as a member of the research groups.

Ecotoxicology

During the master’s programme in Ecotoxicology you will obtain the skills necessary to identify problems related to the presence of toxic chemicals in the environment, develop appropriate problem-solving strategies and learn modern experimental techniques. You will also learn about the bigger societal context in which ecotoxicology operates. All of this will allow you to make a positive contribution to the work conducted at academia and industry alike, but also at governmental authorities and non-governmental organizations.

The structure of the program
The program is divided into three parts:

All our courses

You can specialize in subjects such as conservation biology, natural geography or environmental chemistry. You can also choose from other environmental science courses, which aim to further broaden your environmental science skills or give you tools that you can use in your future work as an environmental scientist.

Our facilities

Our courses are mainly given on site in Gothenburg, but all or parts of certain courses can also mean that you are at one of the marine research stations Tjärnö or Kristineberg. There may also be excursions with overnight stays in other places.