Geoecology

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The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University offers a 2-year Master of Science Programme for students that would like to specialize in Geoecology.

Geoecology integrates the fields of Geosciences and Ecology. With an emphasis on the Nordic landscape, you will study natural earth processes, climate change and the effects of anthropogenic impact, such as resource utilization and pollution. These processes result in a more dynamic environment than what is generally recognized, and you will develop an awareness of environmental changes on timescales from years to millennia.

The Study Programme starts with a field course, Field Methods in Geoecology. After that, you will have opportunities to read theoretical courses and applied courses directed towards field studies, as well as courses directed towards Geographic Information Systems.

The Masters programme comprises 120 university credits, of which a minimum of 60 university credits of in-depth studies within the primary area of study. The programme starts off with a foundation course, and includes elective and optional courses. The courses during the education are mainly studied on a part-time basis (50%). The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, group exercises, laboratory experiments, field exercises and field trips. Laboratory field exercises and field trips are normally compulsory. In order to maintain the required pace of study, it is assumed that the studies will be conducted on a part-time basis of 50%. Most of the course literature is in English. Teaching may take place in English.

Basic courses

* Geoecological Field Methods, 15 university credits (5GV013)

For the basic courses, the student has guaranteed admission.

Elective courses

* Geoscientific Study Training, 15 university credits (5GV010)
* Alpine Geoecology, 15 university credits (5GV022)
* Analysis of Environmental Changes, 15 university credits (5MH030)
* Theoretical Geoecology, 15 university credits (5GV016)
* Northerly Aquatic Systems, 15 university credits (5GV014)
* Geographic Information Systems, further studies, 15 university credits (5GV015)

Optional courses

In the Masters Programme in Geoecology, you can choose 60 university credits of optional courses. A maximum of 30 of these university credits can be comprised of courses at basic level.

Information as to which causes are available can be found in the information sheets which are published annually, in particular in the universitys catalogue of courses and on the universitys website. Examples of optional courses comprising 15 university credits in Biology and Chemistry include for example, Alpine Ecosystems, Freshwater Ecology, Forest Ecology, Aquatic Environmental Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry.

Optional courses are applied for in open competition.

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section), A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university with a major in Earth science or a Bachelor´s degree with 60 ECTS in Biology, Chemistry or Environmental science and 30 ECTS in Earth science. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester (for more information, see English Language Requirements IELTS band: 5.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 530 TOEFL iBT® test: 72