Study

Master of Science degree course in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation for

Natural Resources Management

The world’s population is expected to reach nine billion people by the year 2045. Although the majority will live in cities, the demand for food and other resources will nevertheless place unprecedented pressure on the Earth’s natural environment. Not only increasing population but also growing welfare leads directly, or indirectly, to problems such as deforestation, overgrazing, and the contamination of land and water resources.

In recent years, we have become increasingly aware that many environmental issues, such as climate change, transcend national boundaries. As evidenced by the seventh of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, which relates to environmental sustainability, as well as other international agendas and agreements, the management of the Earth’s natural resources is of concern to us all.

With developments in remote sensing technology, we are now able to observe the Earth’s surface in great detail and almost continuously. Never before has it been so easy to monitor and map our natural environment. Yet an ability to monitor and map processes such as deforestation, land use change and environmental degradation is only the first step towards solving these problems. To understand the complexity of factors involved, environmental managers must not only collect relevant data but also interpret and analyse them to obtain useful information to support decisions that can lead to more sustainable use of our natural resources. In carrying out these tasks, environmental managers increasingly work together with professionals from a wide range of disciplines. Geo-information technology − in particular modelling and decision support systems − plays an important role in this rewarding multidisciplinary work.

For whom is the course relevant?

The MSc degree course is designed for young and mid-career professionals who work in the field of natural resources management and who wish to develop a critical understanding of, and competence in, using modern methods of working with spatial data. The MSc degree course aims to develop practical skills as well as academic skills leading to independent research and the defence of an MSc thesis.

Participants will normally have a BSc or similar first degree in environmental science or in a discipline related to natural resources management, such as ecology, forestry or agriculture. If you have such a background and a keen interest and motivation to study in an international multidisciplinary environment, then the MSc degree course in Natural Resources Management may be for you.

What is the course content?

The MSc degree course not only emphasizes the multidisciplinary aspects of natural resources management but also offer you the opportunity of in-depth study in your particular field of interest.

During the first block of the course, you will acquire knowledge and skills in applying geo-information science and earth observation to natural resources management. After this, in the second block, you will spend four months developing more in-depth knowledge and technical skills in order to analyse problems and identify and structure relevant information in selected aspects of natural resources management. For further details, see the Study guides.

Following this period of in-depth study, you will continue to develop an understanding of the purpose and use of research in natural resources management and will study advanced topics to support your planned research. Before your actual research work commences, you will spend a number of weeks working with staff and fellow MSc students in a research group (see Research themes) to prepare yourself for your own independent research project.

In recent years, MSc graduates in Natural Resources Management have carried out their research on a range of research themes, but primarily in the areas of Biodiversity in fragmenting landscapes, Carbon cycle and climate change, Food security and Environmental sustainability. A selection of recent MSc theses can be found at the Library's Academic Output pages.

What will be achieved?

Participants will learn to:

• analyse a problem encountered in natural resources management practice and develop an appropriate method for studying and/or solving the problem
• apply appropriate methods for spatial data acquisition, verification and quality control
• use geo-information science and earth observation technology to generate, integrate, analyse and display spatial data
• evaluate and apply relevant and appropriate methods and models for data analysis and problem solving in natural resources management
• carry out in-depth study of two advanced topics that are relevant to your research
• apply research skills to formulate and carry out an independent research project
• communicate and defend findings of this research work.

Why choose this course?

The course offers a unique opportunity to share experiences in natural resources management with young scientists and professionals from all over the world. The teaching staff have a wealth of research and practical experience in the application of geo-information science and earth observation for natural resources management in many different environments and in many different countries. You will study and undertake research in a friendly, multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

Admission requirements

Academic level and background

Applicants for the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

As all courses are given in English, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. Those who have English as their mother tongue, or were taught in the English language up to university level, are exempted from an English language test. Please note: the requirements when applying for fellowships may vary according to the regulations of the fellowship provider.

Only internationally recognised test results are accepted.

Although introductory lessons on computer skills are scheduled in the Master of Science (MSc) degree programme, applicants lacking computer experience are strongly advised to follow basic courses in their home countries.