What can past and present conditions tell us about the future? How can we use Earth system knowledge to effectively address global challenges such as climate change? As a Master’s student of Earth Sciences, you will learn to find sustainable solutions for present and future challenges regarding our planet and climate. You will study natural processes and cycles of the Earth’s system within and among rock, soil, water, organisms and air.
Earth Sciences offers three specialisations:
Geology and Geochemistry (G&G)
This specialisation examines the Earth’s crust and mantle using geological and isotope geochemical methods, studying subduction, volcanism, basin evolution and comparing Earth’s development with other rocky bodies.
Earth and Climate (E&C)
E&C focuses on the Earth's surface and climate records, applying field work with laboratory research to understand and reconstruct land-surface processes, ocean and climate dynamics, biogeochemical cycles, (paleo-)ecology, and the role of humanity.
Global Environmental Change and Policy (GECP)
If you want to help create sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest societal and scientific challenges through sound interdisciplinary research, GECP gives you the knowledge and skills to tackle the complex problems our planet faces today.
Hbo diploma
You can register for the Master Earth Sciences with a Dutch hbo diploma, often without a pre-master. Want to find out how that works? Please send an email to any of the Earth Sciences specialisations:
- Global Environmental Change and Policy: gecp.ivm@vu.nl
- Earth and Climate: MSc.EC@vu.nl
- Geology and Geochemistry: MSc.GG@vu.nl
