Master of Science in Earth Structure and Dynamics
Utrecht, Netherlands
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,765 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Non-EU/EEA students: 1 April
** Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time) 2024-2025: € 2,530
Key Summary
Would you like to understand and quantify processes such as plate tectonics, what controls volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, how mountains are formed or what the subsurface challenges are for the sustainable energy and storage transition? Then the Master's Earth Structure and Dynamics might just be what you’re looking for.
Solid earth science
During the two-year research programme, you will study and research everything in regard to the processes beneath our planet’s surface and how they affect what happens above it. Geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, chemistry and field studies are combined to address how the solid Earth - is a key component of System Earthworks. Encompassing the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the solid Earth over the full range of spatial and temporal scales as well as the role of solid Earth structure and processes in relation to sustainable geo-energy and mineral resources, geological storage and geohazards. You will learn to link geological, geophysical, mineralogical, geochemical, and geodetic observations made at the Earth’s surface to natural and human-induced processes and associated geo-hazards operating within the planet.
Learning without limits
The programme allows you to specialise in virtually any aspect of solid Earth science, ranging from theoretical and applied geophysics, geology, mineral science or geochemistry with a multi-scale focus from nano-scale to the entire Earth’s crust, mantle, core or other planetary bodies. You are encouraged to think independently and cross the borders of your discipline, in order to gain a skill set that is broadly applicable. Furthermore, the programme’s research topics form part of larger research efforts to help find innovative, sustainable solutions to threats and opportunities arising from climate change, such as geothermal energy or carbon capture and storage. Not only resulting in a great deal of interaction between staff and students but also in cutting-edge research, publications and career opportunities.
The first year is devoted to coursework, while the second year is primarily spent conducting independent research and/or a traineeship. The programme offers considerable scope to design your own personal ‘Master’s plan’ matching your interests and competencies.
Tracks
Tracks are recommended, coherent combinations of courses combined from the total programme. They are meant to help you design your own curriculum based on your preferred specialisation within the Earth Structure and Dynamics programme. The three tracks are:
- Physics of the Solid Earth and Planets: An in-depth geophysical approach to understanding the deep interior of the Earth and other planets
- Basins, Orogens and the Crust-Lithosphere System: Understand the processes at the scale of the crust and lithosphere such as the formation and evolution of sedimentary basins or mountain chains. This is a combined track for a hybrid Geology-Geophysics profile.
- Earth Materials: Deformation, metamorphic and igneous processes operating in the crust and upper mantle, also relevant for exploitation of sustainable geo-resources.
Courses Earth Structure and Dynamics
Choose one course:
- Structure and Composition of the Earth’s Interior
- Structural Analysis of Deformed Rocks
- Paleomagnetism
- Research instruction on Earth Structure and Dynamics
Choose one course:
- Applied Geophysics
- Field Research Instruction Geology
Plus seminars and career development activities. In addition to the above, please choose four more courses (30 EC) from the options listed above and/or the list below.
NB. Please check the information for the three tracks, to see which courses are suggested by each path.
- Advanced petrology: from microscopic properties to geological processes
- Data processing and Inverse Theory
- Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of the Earth
- Modelling of Crust and Lithospheric Deformation
- Theoretical Seismology
- Tectonophysics
- Stable isotopes in Earth Sciences
- Dynamics of Basins and Orogens
- Advanced mineralogy: minerals as materials
- Dynamics of the Earth’s Mantle
- Dynamics of Sedimentary Systems
- Mechanisms of Deformation and Transport in Rocks Computational Geophysics
Many Earth Structure and Dynamics graduates go on to find employment in research at universities and Earth Sciences research institutes at home or abroad. Many others join the energy and water industries, environmental consultancies, geo-engineering agencies and regulatory organizations, with growing numbers moving into positions in the sustainability sector.
Academic careers
About 25% of our graduates follow up their Master’s degree by pursuing a PhD in the Netherlands or elsewhere and ultimately a career in either applied or fundamental research. Fundamental and applied research opportunities are available at universities in the Netherlands and internationally. These research positions typically entail field, laboratory, experimental, data collection/analysis or numerical modelling work.
Non-academic careers
Knowledge of large-scale and long-term processes provides you with a good basis for managing major environmental issues. The numerous global-change issues currently facing us mean you can pursue a variety of employment opportunities. You can choose to seek out a career in applied research in government institutions, consultancies or various industries.
Studying Earth Structure and Dynamics at Utrecht University has several advantages and benefits.
- At the start of the programme, you select one of three tracks to suit your specific interests. These tracks offer a well-balanced mixture of courses that will expose you to a wide spectrum of theoretical and applied disciplines within the Earth Sciences.
- Your lecturers are active researchers of high international standing, resulting in a high-quality and challenging educational programme.
- From start to finish you get top-level technical support and use state-of-the art laboratory facilities and field instrumentation. In addition, you have access to top-class computational tools for numerical and analogue modelling located at Utrecht University or one of its major international partners.
- Utrecht University is in close proximity to and has active collaborations with several national and international applied Earth Sciences research institutes, leading to interesting internship opportunities.