EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS. Master School of Life and Earth Sciences Academic year

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1 UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REGULATIONS Master School of Life and Earth Sciences Academic year THE EARTH SCIENCES MASTER S PROGRAMME PART B September 2009 Chapter 1 Article 1.1 Article 1.2 Article 1.3 Article 1.4 Article 1.5 Chapter 2 Article 2.1 Chapter 3 Article 3.1 Article 3.2 Article 3.3 Article 3.4 Chapter 4 Objectives and Exit Qualifications of the Study Programme Description Master Earth Sciences Objectives General exit qualifications Specific exit qualifications Specific attainment levels of each master s programme Admission Requirements Admission to the study programme Structure of the Curriculum Full-time / Part-time Language Organisation of the study programme Final research project and final report List of Components and their Study Load Page 1

2 Chapter 1 Objectives and Exit Qualifications of the Study Programme Article 1.1 Description Master Earth Sciences The Master s programme Earth Sciences consists of the following specialisation programmes: Geo-Ecological Dynamics (research master R-variant) Environmental Management (applied Master) The Environmental Management specialisation programme consists of two variants; the student has to choose between the: Communication and Education variant (CE-variant) Social variant (S-variant) Article 1.2 Objectives The aim of the Earth Sciences Master s programme is to: 1. educate students to become independent scientific professionals, teaching them how to acquire new knowledge, as well as being able to deal with current scientific knowledge and to apply this knowledge in new and continuously changing practical situations; 2. actively stimulate interdisciplinary cooperation in the development of science, based on knowledge in the field of earth sciences; 3. educate students to develop skills, knowledge and insight into the discipline; 4. provide student-oriented education that is of a high, internationally recognised quality; 5. offer students the possibility to choose a Social or Communication and Education variant, training them for a profession in the field of education or communication; 6. offer students the opportunity to gain part of their knowledge and insight into an international setting; 7. provide a heterogeneously composed student population in an inspiring academic learning environment and offer feasible study programmes. Article 1.3 General exit qualifications After completing the Master s programme the graduate has acquired the following qualities. The graduate: 1. has analysing, problem-solving and synthesising abilities, and a demonstrably scientific attitude to be able to function in science and society at the required academic level; 2. has specialist knowledge of one or more sub-areas of Geo-Ecological Dynamics and Environmental Management. 3. has the ability to observe physical geographical systems at various scale levels and degrees of complexity; to analyse them and to answer questions; 4. has knowledge of the current developments in Physical Geography; 5. is able to read up on a physical geographical field of study in a short period of time, to form one s own opinion and to write a critical essay; 6. is able to become acquainted with research methods in Physical Geography within a short period of time and then applying them; 7. has the communication skills to be able to operate effectively on an academic level, especially in oral presentation and written report in the English language; 8. is able to independently set up and implement research experiments; 9. is able to realise a planned project within a given period of time; 10. is able to work independently as well as to cooperate with other people in a team; 11. is able to contribute from one s own discipline to multi or (inter) disciplinary questions; 12. is able to adopt an attitude that fosters critical reflection on one's own results and behaviour, as well as from other people. Article 1.4 Specific exit qualifications The exit qualifications of the Research variant The graduate is able to: R1 form a vision on the development of scientific research in the field of study; R2 formulate questions on the frontline of scientific research;

3 R3 R4 R5 translate scientific questions into a research proposal; independently set up experiments and to carry out measurements; quantitatively and qualitatively analyse landscape patterns processes, to incorporate the data into existing models or in models still to be developed, and to present the results at various levels of abstraction. The exit qualifications of the Communication and Education variant The specialisation variant Communication and Education consists of four components, matching the components in the competence profile of the VSNU General Plan for the University Teacher s Training for postgraduate teachers, namely: a scientific attitude a discipline surpassing attitude a professional, innovation directed research attitude a (ped)agogical attitude in general terms resulting in the following exit qualifications. After completion of the study programme a graduate of the CE-variant is able to: CE1 apply professional knowledge in a profession in the field of communication and education; CE2 work independently in a profession in the field of education/communication; CE3 convey professional knowledge to other professionals as well as to non-professionals; CE4 stimulate internal and external communication of professional information; CE5 conduct research and developmental tasks individually as well as in a team; CE6 continuously renew one s own conduct in all task areas. If the student aspires to obtain a starting qualification as a postgraduate teacher, the exit qualifications will be based on this aim, specifically concerning the following objectives. The graduate is able to: CE7 teach classes independently and to stimulate the pupil s learning capacities; CE8 participate in various consultative bodies within and outside school; CE9 communicate with the students; CE10 help students develop study skills, and to create a positive social learning climate. During the postdoctoral part of the studies the graduate has to obtain a higher level of these objectives, resulting in a postgraduate teacher s qualification. The exit qualifications of the Social variant Science and Entrepreneurship The aim of this variant is, from an academic perspective, to acquire the academic skills and knowledge necessary for successful entrepreneurship. The graduate has: S1 theoretical and practical knowledge of economic and business economic fields of study; S2 theoretical knowledge of most general business economical fields of study; S3 the ability to distinguish between successful and unsuccessful management; S4 practical experience with the business-economical, legal, creative, communication aspects of starting up one s own company; S5 the ability to participate in a multi disciplinary project team. Article 1.5 Specific attainment levels of the master s programme Geo-Ecological Dynamics The graduate has:r1 specific expertise in building data-driven and concept-driven models for geoecosystems; R2 the ability to handle, analyse, model and visualize massive datasets; R3 an attitude enabling the critical use of measurements and models in science and society. R4 an understanding of the context of chemical, physical and biological mechanisms underlying the environmental processes occurring in ecosystems; R5 practical and theoretical skills in methodologies used in studying environmental processes in laboratory and field experiments; R6 the ability to combine theoretical (computer, in silico), experimental laboratory (in vitro) and field (in situ, in vivo) approaches; R7 the understanding of qualitative and quantitative aspects of patterns and biogeochemical processes at different temporal and spatial scales in geo-ecosystems; R8 the ability to use and apply spatial and or mechanistic models in geo-ecosystems; R9 advanced understanding of active geomorphic processes in geo-ecosystems or

4 R10 advanced understanding of processes in soils in terrestrial geo-ecosystems or R11 advanced integrated knowledge of spatial patterns of landscapes incorporating soil, geomorphology and ecology; or R12 knowledge of management and conservation strategies for landscapes. Chapter 2 Admission Requirements Article 2.1 Admission to the study programme 1. Students, who have successfully completed the following degrees will automatically be admitted: the Kandidaats degree in Aardwetenschappen (Earth Sciences) or Fysische Geografie (Physical Geography), awarded by the University of Amsterdam; the Bachelor s degree in Aardwetenschappen (Earth Sciences), awarded by a Dutch University; the Bachelor s Degree in Beta-gamma met een Aardwetenschappen major (Liberal Arts and Sciences with a Earth Sciences Major), awarded by the University of Amsterdam. 2. Students who have obtained a Bachelor s Degree in Biology, programme Ecology and Earth Sciences, are automatically admitted to the master s programme Environmental Management at the University of Amsterdam. 3. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 1, the Examination Board may grant admission to the study programme when concluding, that the previous education of the candidate is equivalent to the Bachelor s degree referred to in paragraph 1. The Examination Board decides for every student whether the previous education of the candidate has deficiencies for admission, and may draw up a list of components the student has to take, in order to make up for these deficiencies. These components, with a maximum of 12, will be at the expense of elective components in the Master s programme. 4. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 3 the Examination Board may grant admission to a student whose previous education does not meet aforementioned requirements admission to the study programme, when concluding that the candidate is able to meet the admission requirements within a reasonable period of time. The Examination Board may draw up a programme of maximum 30 as an admission requirement, a so called conversion programme. After completion of this conversion programme a letter of admission will be issued, exclusively for the stated Master s programme. 5. The student must be sufficiently proficient in English speaking and writing, the equivalent being at least the Pre-University Education [VWO] level. 6. For admission to the CE-variant, the student must complete an intake procedure. A study programme for the discipline has to be drawn up in consultation with the coordinator of the Master s programme and has to be approved of by the Examination Board. 7. For admission to the S-variant Entrepreneurship, the student must complete an intake procedure. A study programme for the discipline has to be drawn up in consultation with the coordinator of the Master s programme and has to be approved of by the Examination Board. 8. Students having completed the study programme CE- or S-variant of the discipline will receive a Master s certificate, stating that the student followed this study programme. Chapter 3 Structure of the curriculum Article 3.1 Full-time / Part time The study programme is offered as well on a full-time as on a part-time basis. Article 3.2 Language The language of instruction is English. The Social and the Communication and Education variants are mainly conducted in the Dutch Language. Should the study programme be conducted in another language the only other language that is permitted is English. Article 3.3 Organisation of the study programme

5 1. The study programme consists of a study load of 120, which is concluded with a Master of Science degree (see tables 1, 2 and 3) for the allocation of the credit points for each study programme). 2. Depending on the choice of the specialisation programmes: - Geo-Ecological Dynamics (R-variant) - Environmental Management (see also Chapter 1), the student chooses one of the specialisation variants: a Social variant (Svariant) and a Communication and Education variant (CE-variant). 3. In consultation with the coordinator of the Master s programme the contents of the programme will be determined. Each Personal Education Programme has to be submitted 4 weeks after commencing studies for approval to the Examination Board of the study programme. Table 1: Geo-Ecological Dynamics Master track programme R-variant Year 1 Vulnerability Assessment of Geo-Ecosystems (AW4057) * 9 Quantification of Environmental Processes AW4205** 5+4 Restricted Master courses *** 12 Research workshop (AW4031) 6 Research proposal (AW4036) 6 Master Thesis (AW4006) and Colloquium (AW4130) 18 Year 2 Master Thesis (AW4006) continued from year 1 24 and Colloquium (AW4130) Restricted Master courses 6 Essay (AW4136) 12 Choice of Selected Master courses / Internship (AW4011) / Scientific Article *** 18 Total 120 * this mandatory course may also be taken in February of the first year ** mandatory course in second semester starting February 2011 *** selected courses in semester 3 and 4 may be combined in the case for choice of project or a scientific article. Table 2: Environmental Management Master track programme: S-variant Science and Entrepreneurship S-variant * Year 1 Vulnerability Assessment of Geo-Ecosystems (AW4057) 9 Quantification of Environmental Processes (AW4205) 9 Restricted Master courses 6 Research Proposal (AW4036) 6 Master Thesis (AW4006) and Colloquium (AW4130) 30 Year 2 Entrepreneurship in practice 15 Cases in entrepreneurship 5 Thesis 10 Subject-relates Courses 30 Total 120 Table 3: Environmental Management Master track programme: CE-variant CE-variant Year 1 Vulnerability Assessment of Geo-Ecosystems (AW4057) 9 Restricted Master Course 6-12 Research Proposal (AW4036) 6

6 Master Thesis (AW4006) and Colloquium (AW4130) 30 Year 2 Main Courses CE-profile 30 Onderzoeksmethodologie (CE506063) 3 Stage (CE502131) 15 Onderzoeksopdracht (CE502121) 12 Total 120 Article 3.4 Final research project and final report 1. At the end of the final research project and the final report the responsible lecturer checks on the basis of the assessment form, if the student has sufficiently achieved the set exit qualifications. 2. The assessment of the final research project, the final report and the essay are carried out by two staff members independently from each other. 3. Students, proficient in the Dutch language write a short non-specialist summary in Dutch; students who do not have a sufficient command of the Dutch Language write this summary in English. This summary should be submitted at 1.

7 Chapter 4 List of Components and their Study Load This list comprises the curriculum components of the Earth Sciences Master s programmes in the academic year For the description of the contents of the components please consult the Course Catalogue. Mandatory courses for the tracks Geo-Ecological Dynamics and Environmental Management all of the following courses * Vulnerablitiy of Assessment of Ecosystems AW Quantification of Environmental Processes AW Research Proposal AW MSc. Thesis AW Research Workshop including Academic Skills AW Restricted courses At least 1 of the following selected courses GIS/RS Science in Ecosystem Dynamics AW Biogeochemical Cycles AW Coastal Dune Management AW Assessment of Chemical and Natural Hazards AW Optional courses At least 2 of the following selected courses Ecosystem Modeling AW Soil and Landscape Degradation AW Environmental Chemistry 4ES1 6 Societal/applied Courses Institute Interdisciplinary Studies* 18 Ecosystem Management AW Other courses Field Course Geo-Ecological Systems AW Environmental Measuring Techniques AW Climate Change AW Environmetrics AW Paleoecology and Environmental Change 007BS 6 Biodiversity and Landscapes 003BS 6 Aquatic Eco Toxicology and Water Management 019BS 6 Separation Sciences 4ITS17 6 Science in Perspective EW Fundamentals of Analytical Science 4HIMS05 6 Sustainable Development? Sustainable Watershed Management? Academic Consultancy Training? Internship AW Writing Scientific Article 12 Page 7