Program Overview
Program Overview
The Master's program in Ecology is a two-year, full-time program taught in English. It offers a broad package of courses and research projects, providing a firm theoretical and professional foundation for a Master's degree with a distinct personal and research profile.
Program Structure
- The program is composed of 18 EC of compulsory courses, including experimental design, statistical analysis, training in scientific writing, and masterclasses.
- 12 to 18 EC of elective courses are chosen from the courses on offer within the specialization and elsewhere.
- A literature thesis (12 EC) focuses on a fundamental or applied question in ecology and evolution.
- 72 to 78 EC are divided over two research projects with a focus on ecology and/or evolution.
Specializations
The program offers several specializations:
- Ecology and Evolution: Studying nature for knowledge and sustainability, investigating relationships between organisms and their environment.
- Communication: Courses within this specialization include Communication, Organization and Management, Science Journalism, Science Museology, and Science in Dialogue.
- Science in Society: Courses include Business Management in Health and Life Sciences, Health, Globalisation and Human Rights, Management of Innovative Technologies in Community-Based Health Care, and Policy, Politics and Participation.
- Education: Courses are designed for teaching biology, including Schoolvak Bio Ecologie en biodiversiteit, Schoolvak Bio Evolutie, and Schoolvak Bio Planten.
- International Master of Biodiversity Ecology and Evolution (IMABEE): A double degree program.
Compulsory Courses
- Research Project Ecology and Evolution II (30 EC)
- Employability, Skills and Career (0 EC)
- Masterclasses in Ecology and Evolution (3 EC)
- Current Trends in Ecology & Evolution (6 EC)
- Ecological Data Analysis (6 EC)
- Scientific Writing in English (3 EC)
Elective Courses
- Environments Through Time (6 EC)
- Evolutionary Genomics (6 EC)
- Global Ecology and Biodiversity (6 EC)
- Grand Challenges of Human-Ecosystem Interactions (6 EC)
- Plastic and Chemical Pollution (6 EC)
- Ecosystem Services and Scientific Advocacy (6 EC)
- Invasion and Conservation Biology (6 EC)
Research Areas
The program covers a wide range of research areas, including:
- Biotic Interactions
- Microbial Ecology
- Abiotic Stress
- Benthic Ecosystems
- Biological Oceanography
- Developmental Biology
- Coral Reef Ecology
- The Human Microbiome in Health and Disease
- Metropole Ecology
- NIOZ Marine Masters Summer Course
Admission Criteria
Admission criteria and requirements are not specified in the provided context but typically include a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, proficiency in English, and other academic or professional prerequisites as determined by the university.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are not mentioned in the provided context and may vary depending on the student's nationality, the program's specifics, and other factors as determined by the university.
Conclusion
The Master's program in Ecology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a comprehensive and research-oriented education in ecology and evolution, with various specializations and a wide range of elective courses, preparing students for careers in research, education, communication, and more.
