Modular Setup

Modular Set Up
The table below shows all course modules of the specialisation within the framework of the International Master Programme in Environmental Science.

The programme has a size of 106 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, which are collected over a period of 18 months.

	Module Title	ECTS	Module Content

1	Introduction to Environmental Science	5	Introduction to global agenda for water and the environment; overview of environmental science programme and its four specialisations; key environmental problems and sustainable development.

2	Natural Processes in the Environment	5	Introduction to the basic scientific background of environmental issues: hydrology, ecology, biogeochemical cycles, environmental chemistry.

3	The Human Dimension in Environmental Change	5	Relation between humans and environmental issues: demography, environmental economics, toxicology, human health, scarcity of resources.

4	Analytical Tools in Environmental Science	5	Introduction in relevant tools in environmental science: data analysis and statistics, modelling, GIS, presentation skills.

5	Environmental Systems Analysis	5	Application of systems analysis concepts and methods to problems of the environment and natural resources.

6	Environmental Policy Making	5	Various aspects of environmental policy making, including the cyclic process of policy making, the policy instruments and the various policy strategies.

7	Environmental Planning	5	Basic environmental concepts (sustainable development, carrying capacity, ecological footprint) and tools for environmental planning (environmental indicators, valuation of natural resources, environmental impact assessment, natural resources accounting, risk assessment).

8	Water & Environmental Law and Institutions	5	Introduction to national, international and UN laws and institutions; introduction to the law of treaties; general, environmental and water principles at international level. Criteria for good governance.

9	International Fieldtrip	3.5	Excursions to environment-related organisations and companies in Western Europe.

10	Aquatic Ecosystems	5	Experimental field, mesocosm and laboratory research. Analysis of the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.

11	Watershed and River Basin Management	5	Description and assessment of the main natural and anthropogenic interactions at a watershed scale. The role of water in sustaining different land uses, including ecosystems. Management of soil and water in a watershed.

12	Group work	6.5	Multidisciplinary case study in which the techniques and knowledge obtained in the preceding modules are integrated.

13 - 14	MSc preparatory course/ MSc proposal writing	10

15	MSc Thesis	36