Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a Master's program in Geography and Geoinformatics, with a focus on Carbon Storage and Biological Interactions in Soils.

Program Description

The program teaches fundamental processes controlling carbon turnover and storage in soils, and how soil organic stocks are impacted by environment, climate, and land use. The course emphasizes the influence soil organic carbon has on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil, as well as the global carbon balance.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge:
  • Conceptual understanding of soil carbon storage and its partitioning into different soil organic matter pools
  • Conceptual and process understanding of biological soil interactions that foster soil organic matter cycling and carbon storage
  • Understanding how soil organic carbon impacts soil properties
  • Understanding the processes that control soil carbon cycling
  • Understanding concepts of isotope fractionation and mixing models
• Skills:
  • Apply correct scientific terms and definitions
  • Identify and apply methods to determine different C pools in soils
  • Apply stable isotope methods to investigate organic matter turnover and carbon sequestration in soils
  • Solve algebraic equations involving isotopic two-end member mixing models
• Competences:
  • Evaluate and discuss experimental and analytical approaches to study soil carbon cycling
  • Evaluate the robustness and validity of stable isotope analysis to assess soil carbon cycling
  • Evaluate, discuss, and explain scientific publications to fellow students and scientists

Program Structure

The program includes a combination of practical (laboratory) and theoretical exercises, mixed with ad hoc lectures. Students will also read, present, and discuss scientific literature.

Workload

• Category:
  • Lectures: 14 hours
  • Preparation: 171 hours
  • Theory exercises: 15 hours
  • Laboratory: 6 hours
  • Total: 206 hours

Assessment

• Type of assessment: Written assignment and oral examination
• Type of assessment details: The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure.
• Aid: No aids allowed
• Marking scale: 7-point grading scale
• Censorship form: No external censorship, several internal examiners

Re-exam

• Resubmission of written assignment, handed in prior to the re-examination week
• Twenty minutes oral examination without preparation

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: NIGK23005U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 4
• Schedule: C
• Course capacity: 25

Study Board and Department

• Study Board of Geosciences and Management
• Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management
• Faculty of Science

Course Coordinators and Lecturers

• Per Lennart Ambus
• Camilla Ruø Rasmussen
• Invited lectures ad-hoc

Recommended Academic Qualifications

• BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent is recommended

Timetable

• 26F-B4-4; Hold 01; Carbon Storage and Biological Interactions in Soils