Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management

The 2-year master programme in Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes) addresses students with a background in Sciences.
Oceans & Lakes is an inter-university programme organised by the Faculty of Sciences of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Universiteit Antwerpen and Universiteit Gent. The students are provided with a strong fundamental and applied knowledge and prepared for an active role in the scientific research and management of marine and lacustrine systems.
The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical, geological, ecological and societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development.

Model Path part 1

Core courses

• Oceanography
• Estuarine and Coastal Systems
• Law and Ethics on Conservation of Aquatic Systems
• In-situ and Remote Sensing Tools in Aquatic Sciences
• River and Lake Ecology
• Limnology
• Seminars: case studies on biodiversity management

Broadening courses

• Governance and Policy in Development and Cooperation Part I
• Governance and Policy in Development and Cooperation Part II
• Internship

Supporting courses

• Geographic Information Systems
• Mathematics and Basic Statistics
• Biogeochemistry
• Data and Information Management
• Introduction to Marine and Lacustrine Biology
• Advanced Applied Statistics

Model Path part 2

• Master thesis 

Major Biodiversity and Ecology

• Evolution and Biogeography of Aquatic Organisms
• Biodiversity of Aquatic Food Webs
• Ecology of Coastal Seas
• Marine Extreme Systems
• Lacustrine Systems
• Microbial Ecology

Major Conservation Biology and ecosystem Management

• Management of Aquatic Resources: Fisheries
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management: Mangroves, Sea-grass Beds and Coral Reefs
• Tropical Marine Ecology and Restoration
• Conservation Genetics of Aquatic Populations
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Law of the Sea and Protection of Oceans
• Integrated Practicals on Conservation and Management
• Marine Biodiversity and Ecology

Major Environmental Impact and Remediation

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Topics on anthropogenic impact in aquaculture ecosystems
• Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
• Ecosystem based adaptation to global change

Major Marine and Lacustrine Geosciences

• Advanced sedimentology
• Paleobiology of Micro-organisms
• Stable Isotope Geology
• Ocean Drilling for Science and Energy
• Paleoclimatology and Climate Change

Requirements

• Applicants should hold an academic Bachelor’s degree in the related area. Students who are still completing their Bachelor’s degree are also encouraged to apply. They should submit an official letter in English from their university confirming that the student is expected to finalise her/his Bachelor’s studies at the end of the current academic year, and submit up-to-date authenticated transcripts with the results of the previous years.
• Applicants are also required to submit a GMAT or GRE test score. Both the verbal and quantitative score will be taken into consideration.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): paper-based TOEFL level of minimum 550, a computer-based TOEFL level of minimum 213 or an internet-based TOEFL level of minimum 80. You can find more information about TOEFL at www.toefl.org
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): a minimum score of at least 6.5, and on each part minimum 6.0. You can find more information about IELTS at www.ielts.org;
• A copy of your valid passport or identity card/a curriculum vitae
• A motivation letter
• A legalised copy of your degree certificate (please read more information on legalisation)
• Applicants that are enrolled in the final year should submit an original and signed letter from their college or university confirming that they are expected to finalise the program at the end of the current academic year
• A copy of your academic transcripts, provided with a stamp of the university

Scholarships

• VLIR-UOS: scholarships for students from developing countries: Scholarships are available for students from 54 scholarship countries in Africa, Asia and Latin-America to follow a training or master programme at the University of Antwerp.
• ASEM-DUO: Scholarships are available for students from China, India, South-Korea and Vietnam.
• Transition Fellowship Programme: Scholarships are available for students from 4 countries in transition (Brazil, Morocco, South Africa and Turkey).
• Mastermind: Scholarships are available for international students who want to take up a master degree programme.
• Global Study Awards: An individual global study award with a maximum value of £10000