For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
This track focuses on the management of natural resources, landscapes and ecosystems using interdisciplinary approaches that include the earth sciences, social sciences and the humanities. You will be trained to apply a solution-oriented approach to tackle environmental management challenges for the sustainability of society in either a professional setting or in research.

You’ll start your Master’s with a two-week field work trip in Tenerife, together with students from the Earth System Science track. A great way to get to know your fellow students and teachers and become part of the tight-knit community this Master is known for. 

After the first three to four months of track-specific courses, you get to choose the courses that suit your interests - you can also pursue core courses from the sister track, Environmental Management, should you find that those also align with your academic interests. In this way, you’ll be able to create your own tailor-made programme and specialisation.  

In the second year, you’ll do an internship at a company, governmental or non-governmental organization, in the Netherlands or abroad, where you will do you Master’s thesis research project. 

About the study
  • Curriculum

    Environmental Management is a two-year programme (120 EC) with 24-30 EC dedicated to compulsory courses, 24 EC to restricted choice electives, an independent Master's research project (30-36 EC), as well as a second research project or an internship in corporate consultancy, civil society or a governmental organisation (24-36 EC).

  • Selective courses from other programmes

    The Environmental Management track offers specific courses that teach you how to analyse environmental management problems. These courses range from Human-Environment Interactions (6EC), Transition Management (6 EC), Science Based Geo-Ecological Management (6 EC), Metropole Ecology (6 EC), or Environmental Chemistry (6 EC).

  • Skills you’ll gain

    You will enhance your proficiency in modelling, with languages like R and Python, learn how to manage large datasets, including GIS, and remote sensing data sets, as well as socio-economic data. You can also cultivate your expertise in laboratory analysis, focusing on examining contaminants in sediments, soils or water by studying elements or microbic organism. Furthermore, you will learn about concepts, theories and processes underlying environmental management paradigms and approaches.

  • Master's thesis project

    The Master's thesis research project is your masterpiece. It is an independent research project supervised by an expert. Your research topic is preferably closely linked to the research conducted at the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED). While you work on your research project, you will be a member of a research group. This will help optimise communication with your peers and supervisors, provide you with a broader perspective by being involved in research projects, and develop your professional network.

  • Majors and Minors

    You can choose to do your Master's programme with a society and/or business-oriented major or minor that focuses on other skills than doing research. You follow the programme of your chosen scientific discipline during the first year of your Master's (slightly adjusted compared to the research master), and a major or minor during the second year. You will graduate as a Master of Science. If you have the ambition of doing a professional specialisation, make sure to inform yourself about conditions early in your Master's programme. You'll find more information on the majors and minors webpage.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Vulnerable Earth
    Period 1
    12
  • Integrated Coastal Dune Management
    Period 2
    6
  • Energy and Climate Change: Science, Policy, and Ethics
    Period 2
    6
  • System Innovation and Transition Management I
    Period 3
    6
  • Internship Earth Sciences
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    18
  • Research Workshop
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    3
  • Master Thesis Research Earth Sciences 1
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    30
  • Professional Skills - constrained choice
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    3
  • Elective courses
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    Period 4
    24
Compulsory course
Elective
Additional information