MSc in Water Science and Engineering
The Water Science and Engineering Masters Programme focuses on the management and development of water resources and water flows and quality in the natural environment, while addressing the multidisciplinary character of human activities dealing with water.
The specialisations within this programme explore natural and anthropological influences on the water cycle, from the perspectives of civil engineering, technology and earth sciences.
They are of direct relevance to sustainable development because they prepare graduates to improve the management of human impact on water resources, design simulation models for various phases of the water cycle, and develop methods of protection against water-related natural hazards.
Aim of the programme
The programme aims to deepen the knowledge, insight and skills for hydraulic engineering (part of civil engineering), hydroinformatics (a technology discipline) and hydrology (an earth system science).
Graduates are able to work in professional water sector environments that require academic skills. Graduates who obtain good study results are eligible to undertake a PhD in an appropriate water science or engineering field.
In particular, this programme provides the education to:
- Improve the management of water resources through assessing and monitoring their vulnerability to hazards.
- Sustain economic development by better flood and drought protection and hazard reduction, in an era of global climate change.
- Improve environmental and public health through pollution prevention and treatment.
- Sustain and improve water supply, power generation and agriculture through integrated water resources development.
- Improve food production by developing, operating, maintaining and optimising water-related infrastructure.
- Sustain economic growth through the development of coastal and riparian zones.
- Manage and control water systems in an integrated and sustainable way, with stakeholders, through the development of technologies to simulate such systems.
Programme Structure
The International Masters Programme in Water Science and Engineering is an 18 month course, of which the first year is organised around course modules, followed by six months in which participants carry out a research topic and complete an MSc thesis.
Programme Structure
The programme consists of four distinct phases:
- A foundation phase, with two basic modules common to all specialisations.
- A specialisation phase, in which participants follow one of five inter-related specialisations.
- An integration phase, during which participants carry out fieldwork and group work, and learn to appreciate the interrelationship between their own specialisation and others.
- A research and thesis phase, culminating in the writing of an MSc thesis.
Foundation Phase
The Water Science and Engineering Programme starts with two introductory modules, which all participants are required to take:
- Introduction to Water Science and Engineering deals with issues on the global agenda for water and sustainable development, the basics of water science and engineering, basic hydrological processes and concepts, and a review of the statistical and frequency analysis skills that graduates will need.
- Applied Hydraulics covers free-surface hydrodynamics, erosion and sediment transport and the application of hydraulics.
Specialisation Phase
Participants follow one of five specialisations, each of which highlights one critical aspect of water science and engineering.
Integration Phase
Participants learn to appreciate the interrelationship between their own specialisation and other specialisations and programmes. They do this by choosing electives that are offered by the other specialisations and programmes, and/or by working collaboratively with colleagues from those other specialisations and programmes.
An international field trip, field work and group work all cross specialisation boundaries. Participants learn to recognise how insights of one discipline are significant for other disciplines.
MSc Thesis
The Water Science and Engineering programme is completed with an MSc thesis in which participants carry out experimental work, modelling, or case studies. It starts with a six-week period to develop an individual research proposal, combined with self-selected topics.
Interested?
For information about admission requirements, fees, fellowships and more, visit the prospective students section.
The research takes place over a period of about six months. Participants undertake research that fits best to their personal and professional preference.
Specialisations within the MSc Programme are:
Participants in this specialisation will learn to deal with surface and groundwater, both water quantity and quality, as well as to understand human influences on the hydrological system, and the use of modelling and other tools for the proper integration of hydrological knowledge and analysis...
Participants in this specialisation will develop the scientific and engineering knowledge needed to design and implement projects for the sustainable use of river systems and their resources, and learn about the design of hydraulic structures, simulation modelling and flood management.
Participants in this specialisation will be provided with the technical background and practical skills needed to plan, model, design and manage coastal engineering and port development projects, and learn to analyze coastal problems and conceive appropriate solutions.
Participants in this specialisation will learn to plan, design, operate and maintain land and water resources and water-related infrastructure, focusing on the modernization of irrigation, drainage and flood protection systems, and land use for agriculture.
Participants in this specialisation will learn how to solve problems of hydraulics, hydrology and environmental engineering for better water management using simulation modelling and other tools. They will also become acquainted with models applied to water-based systems, learn to design and in...
Brochure Water Science and Engineering MSc Programme
WSE.pdf (PDF/581.62 kB)