Geology

The Master in Geology – organised jointly by Ghent University and Catholic University of Leuven – offers an in-depth training in general geology and a specialised training in selected disciplines of geology. Emphasis is put on acquiring general academic skills such as research and exploration, reporting, co-operation with fellow students and researchers.

The student receives the necessary training to analyse and solve new, broader and more complex geological problems. He obtains the scientific attitude to solve these problems by selecting and applying advanced methods (qualitative and quantitative field analysis, direct and indirect observation techniques, physical and chemical analytical techniques, modelling of geological processes, etc).
One should not only have hands-on knowledge of the techniques and the basic principles, but also be able to appraise the potential and the limitations of the different techniques. In a rational and scientific way, he/she is able to process and to report the research results, to publish them in reports and in a master thesis (monograph), and to present and defend these results orally in a structured way, aided by modern communication techniques.
The Master in Geology has the social attitudes and skills to work in an interdisciplinary team with the aim to reach the best possible coherent solution for a specific problem.

The master's programme offers the possibility to specialise in one of the four majors offered: 

• Geology of Basins (60 credits) 
• Soils and Groundwater (54 credits) 
• Geodynamics and Georesources (48 credits) 
• Surface Processes and Paleo-environments (46 credits). 

1.1 - Major Geology of Basins 

• Micropaleontology and Paleo-environmental Reconstruction
• Field Course: Biosphere Evolution and Stratigraphy
• Paleoclimatology
• Exploration Geophysics
• Field Course: Geology of Basins and Orogens
• Origin, Evolution and Modelling of Sedimentary Basins
• Geochronology
• Advanced Sedimentology
• Clay Mineralogy
• Imaging Techniques of consolidated and unconsolidated Sediments

1.2 - Major Soil and Groundwater  

• Soil Prospection and Classification
• Soil Genesis
• Groundwater Modelling
• Exploration Geophysics
• Geographic Information Systems
• Clay Mineralogy
• Imaging Techniques of consolidated and unconsolidated Sediments

1.3 - Major Geodynamics and Georesources  

• Geology and Society
• Applied Sedimentology
• International Integrated Field Course
• Geological Mapping
• Diagenesis
• Applied Mineralogy
• Advanced Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• Ore-forming Processes
• Geofluids

1.4 - Major Surface Processes and Paleoenvironments  

• Geology and Society
• Applied Sedimentology
• International Integrated Field Course
• Geological Mapping
• Micropaleontology and Paleo-environmental Reconstruction
• Environmental change
• Geoarchaeology
• Global Biogeochemical Cycles
• Generation and Architecture of Sedimentary Basin Fills
• Tectonics and Geomorphology

In the second year, a research project (master's dissertation) of 30 credtis is scheduled. The master's dissertation is an original piece of research work. It aims to develop and strengthen the research capacity skills of the students. The student selects a topic and is given guidance by a promoter or supervisor. The master's dissertation consists of a literature review part, practical research and an original analysis of the topic.

Requirements

• The course is open to students with at least a bachelor's degree in the field of geology with minimum 180 credits.
• Reference letters
• A TOEFL-TEST with a minimum score of 90 (internet-based). Test participants should specify the "institution code" 2643 for UGent and 0749 for KULeuven, so that the score can be sent directly to the university.
• An original 'academic test report form' (TRF) from IELTS with a minimum overall band score of 7.0.
• A certificate awarded by the Ghent University Language Centre confirming proficiency in English, CEF-level B2
• Certificate Practical English 5, Upper-Intermediate Academic English or Preparing for an English test, issued by the Ghent University Language Centre.
• Cambridge-ESOL: First certificate in English (FCE)
• Enrollment fee of Ghent University for academic year 2016-2017 is 890 € for EER-students and students from OESO-DAC-list (developing countries), all other students pay an enrollment fee of 5330 €

Scholarships

• VLIR-UOS scholarships
• Ghent University Master grants