Earth System Science (Earth Sciences)

The Earth system is under unprecedented anthropogenic pressure, which is reflected in ongoing climate change, land degradation, water, soil and air contamination, and species extinctions, which are manifesting with varying severity in different places around the world, affecting different communities to varying degrees. In this program you will obtain fundamental knowledge on Earth system functioning and how these functions respond to human pressure, knowledge that is essential to move forward in an ever-changing world.

Students in the Earth Sciences - Earth System Science track at the University of Amsterdam will deepen their understanding on the processes that determine the functioning of the Earth system and the role and impact of humans and climate change on this system. Students will study the landscape and climate dynamics at spatial scales, ranging from molecules to the Earth system as a whole, based on fieldwork, laboratory work and modelling studies. In this track you will develop further expertise in computational skills including Remote Sensing, LiDAR and GIS, landscape and biodiversity modelling and geostatistics, or analytical skills ranging from soil chemistry, microfossil analysis or geomorphic analysis. The track involves a good balance of computation skills, laboratory skills and field survey skills.

Career

Graduates of the Master's program in Earth Sciences are trained professionals with excellent national and international career opportunities.

For example, some UvA Earth Sciences alumni work in:

• Academia for pursuing a PhD (e.g. University of Amsterdam)

• Consultancy and research firms (e.g. Royal Haskoning, Metabolic)

• Government agencies (e.g. the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Dutch water boards, Geological Survey)

• International environmental agencies (e.g. IUCN)

• Multinational corporations (e.g. Vattenfall)

• Educational organisations (e.g. high schools)

Course structure:

• The Earth System

• Analysis and Modelling Lab

• Biogeochemical Cycles in Systems Earth

• Climate Change

• Environments Through Time

• GIS/RS Science In Ecosystem Dynamics