Ecology
Master's specialisation Ecocatch
The specialisation Ecocatch will teach you to integrate the effects of all the different ecosystems that water passes through on the way from the source to the sea. You will become acquainted with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) of the European Union (EU) that aims to protect and enhance the status and condition of all water bodies and to ensure that water resources are used in an ecologically sound and sustainable manner. Finally, you will become familiar with the various environmental conditions prevailing in different parts of Europe.
All EU member states and authorities are currently implementing, or are in the process of constructing a framework to implement the WFD for the management of water resources. There is an urgent need for skilled professionals. The specialisation Ecocatch will give you this expertise.
European collaboration
The specialisation Ecocatch is part of a European Master’s programme. Part of your study will take place in a different European country, providing you with a great experience. A core contents is offered by all institutions participating in this European Master’s programme. These institutions are based in France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Romania, Portugal and here in Amsterdam. Each institution is specialised in different aspects of the ecological management of catchments. Using these specialities, a multidisciplinary approach across the European programme is offered to give you a holistic perspective and understanding. You will collaborate with students from different European countries, learning from each other and enjoying studying together.
Programme
The entry requirements and tuition fees of this specialisation are the same as for the regular MSc Ecology. However, the programme is different, because this specialisation is part of a European programme and consists of the following:
- Introductory course Ecocatch, 5 ECTS
- Scientific writing in English, 3 ECTS
- Ethics, 3 ECTS
- History of Life sciences, 3 ECTS
- Spatial ecology and global change, 6 ECTS
- Experimental design and analysis, 6 ECTS
- Soil-plant interactions, 6 ECTS
- Water Framework Directive, 1 ECTS
- Geographical Information Systems, 6 ECTS
- Ecocatch project, 15 ECTS
- Literature survey, 6 ECTS (instead of 9 ECTS in the regular programme)
- First thesis, 30 ECTS based on an ecocatch topic
- Second thesis, 30 ECTS, based on an ecology topic
Part of your study (with a minimum of 30 ECTS) has to take place in one of the other institutions of the European Master’s programme. Note that the ‘Introductory course Ecocatch’ starts before the official start of the Dutch academic year.
More information on the Master and on the European collaboration can be found at:
www.ecocatch.eu
