Education

The Master of Geology programme is a two-year advanced study programme organised jointly by KU Leuven and Ghent University. Students receive in-depth training in general geology and specialised training in selected disciplines of geology. The programme provides the scientific and social attitudes and skills necessary to work in an interdisciplinary team to find the best possible coherent solution for a specific geological problem.

This initial Master's programme is organised in cooperation with Ghent University.

While this programme is jointly offered by KU Leuven and Ghent University, enrolment for the programme is handled by Ghent University. Students do not enrol at KU Leuven.

Contacts:
- Professor Stephen Louwye (stephen.louwye@ugent.be)
- Ms. Nelly Reynaert (nelly.reynaert@ugent.be)

Learn more:
- http://www.ugent.be/en/degree
- http://studiegids.ugent.be/2010/EN/FACULTY/C/MABA/CMGLOG/CMGLOG.html

The Master of Geology is an initial Master's programme. You can follow this programme on a full-time or part-time basis.

Objectives

Students will receive in-depth training in general geology and specialised training in selected disciplines of geology. Furthermore, emphasis is put on acquiring general academic skills such as research and exploration, reporting, and cooperation 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.). Students should not only have hands-on knowledge of the techniques and the basic principles of geology, but also be able to appraise the potential and limitations of the different techniques. In a rational and scientific way, students must be able to process and report research results, publish them in reports and in a Master's thesis (monograph), and present and defend these results orally in a structured way, aided by modern communication techniques. The programme also emphasises the social attitudes and skills needed to work in an interdisciplinary team to find the best possible coherent solution for a specific problem.

There are two specialisation options in the programme: Geo-Resources and Earth Systems.

In the Geo-Resources specialisation, the student will be able to gather and interpret geological information with the aim of applying this knowledge to the preparation of construction and infrastructure works, the tracking of soil and groundwater pollution, the construction of dumping sites, the management and protection of drinking water reservoirs, the applications of industrial raw materials (clay, sand, limestone), and exploration for ores and fossil fuel.

The Earth Systems specialisation focuses on the ability to gather and interpret geological information about the dynamic evolution of the geosphere and the interactions between the geosphere, hydrospere, atmosphere and biosphere. A proper understanding of the interaction between life and earth and between the different geological reservoirs on earth is imparted.

After graduation

Graduates' specialisation within the programme need not strictly determine their future career path in geology or in wider field of the geosciences. You may be involved in development tasks, research or management functions. As a consultant, you are likely to find a job in environmental geology, hydrogeology or geotechnology. In industry, you will often be involved in exploration, exploitation and treatment of natural resources. In governmental agencies, you may be responsible for the inventory and management of the subsurface or for diverse environmental issues.

Graduates may also consider a short or longer period at a university, in Belgium or abroad, in the framework of a PhD programme or a research project in industry or at a governmental agency.

Information sessions

KU Leuven organises a Verderstudeerbeurs each spring. In addition, faculties also organise information sessions for many of their bridging and graduate programmes.

All information sessions for (future) Master's students

Contact

Faculty of Science
Programme director
Prof. dr. R. Speijer
Tel. +32 16 32 64 04
robert.speijer@ees.kuleuven.be
Administrative Office
Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 bus 2100
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
info@wet.kuleuven.be

General information

Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us please complete the contact form on our website.

Download this brochure

Download this Master's brochure.

Order this Master's brochure.