International MSc Programme
Solutions developed through international partnerships is what everybody is talking about. The specialisation in Limnology & Wetland Ecosystems is making this come true. The specific and unique expertise of different countries and institutes is combined into an excellent mix that is more than the sum of its parts. Working within this unique network amplifies the benefits and values of working together. The specialisation in Limnology & Wetland Ecosystems offers the chance to study in different countries, meeting scientists from all over the world. Intercultural communication by experiencing different cultures and making international friends is an important objective of this programme.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
The programme consists of 14 three-week modules, of which four will be given in Delft, four in Kenya, and four in Austria. Six weeks (two modules) have been reserved for the MSc research proposal writing.
When a participant has fulfilled all the requirements for these 14 modules admittance will be given to the research part which has a duration of 6 months.
NETHERLANDS 4months
General and environmental chemistry, biology, general ecology, environmental quality management, water and wastewater treatment, environmental modelling, public health, ecotoxicology, and man and resources.
KENYA 4months
Ecology and functioning of lakes, streams, rivers; wetland ecology & wetland ecosystem services; fish ecology & aquaculture; human impacts; specifics of tropical and developing countries.
AUSTRIA 4months
Food-web structure; restoration & conservation ecology; water quality monitoring & bio-indicators; management of freshwater ecosystems
Each module is taught over a three-week period, which culminates into an examination. The main contents of the modules and their assigned credit points (European Credit Transfer System or ECTS) are summarised below (module 1-4 given in Delft, The Netherlands, 5-8 in Kenya, and 9-12 in Austria).
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Module Title |
ECTS |
Module Content |
Location | ||
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1 |
Introduction to Environmental Science |
5 |
Introduction to global agenda for water and environment; overview of environmental science programme and its four specialisations; key environmental problems and sustainable development |
The Netherlands | ||
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2 |
Human Dimension in Environmental Change |
5 |
Relation between humans and environmental issues: demography, environmental economics, toxicology, human health, scarcity of resources |
The Netherlands |
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3 |
Natural Processes in the Environment |
5 |
Introduction to the basic scientific background of environmental issues: hydrology, ecology, biogeochemical cycles, environmental chemistry |
The Netherlands |
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4 |
Analytical Tools in Environmental Science |
5 |
Introduction in relevant tools in Environmental science: Data analysis and statistics, modelling, GIS, presentation skills. |
The Netherlands |
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5 |
Ecology and Functioning of Lake Ecosystems |
5 |
Physical limnology, physico-chemical parameters, phytoplankton & primary production, zooplankton |
Kenya |
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6 |
Stream & River Ecology |
5 |
Introduction to running water ecology, river hydraulics & structural analysis, biota in strea´ & rivers. |
Kenya |
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7 |
Wetlands for Water Quality |
5 |
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Kenya |
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8 |
Fish Ecology & Aquaculture |
5 |
Ecology of fishponds, fishpond management, fish breeding/rearing farms and fish stocking, fish diseases & parasites and environmental impacts upon fish health status |
Kenya |
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9 |
Food webs & Microbiological Communities in Aquatic Ecosystems |
5 |
Methods & techniques in microbial ecology (taxonomy, abundance, abundance & biomass estimation, metabolism, etc); community ecology & |
Austria |
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10 |
Water Quality Monitoring & Bio-indicators |
5 |
Sources and effects of water pollution, physicochemical and microbiological methods, water quality monitoring approaches and laboratory safety and laboratory quality assurance |
Austria |
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11 |
Conservation & Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems |
5 |
Concepts for the conservation of natural populations, communities, and ecosystems; habitat degradation & fragmentation; alien species; |
Austria |
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12 |
Groupwork / Integrated Approach: Management of Freshwater Ecosystems & its Resources (IWRM) |
5 |
Conceptual tools of ecosystem & resource management (adaptive management, etc); IWRM - integrated water resource management; lake & |
Austria |
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13-14 |
MSc preparatory course / MSc proposal writing |
10 |
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15 |
MSc Thesis |
36 |
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TIME PERIOD: October 2010 to February 2012
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: March 1st 2010
COURSE FEE (EURO): € 20,000.-- (tuition fee)
DURATION IN MONTHS: 18 months
LWE programme 2008-2010 successfully finished!