Program Overview

Faculty of Geosciences and Environment

The Faculty of Geosciences and Environment (GSE) is a unique entity in Switzerland, bringing together the humanities and natural sciences. Created in 2004, it offers comprehensive training in geography, earth sciences, and the environment, from the first year of the Bachelor's degree to the PhD.

Education

The faculty provides a range of educational programs, including:

• Bachelor's degree
• MA in Tourism Studies
• MA in Foundation and Practices of Sustainability
• MSc in Geography, Environment, and Planning
• MSc in Environmental Science
• MSc in Earth Sciences
• MSc in Biogeosciences
• Master TRACEE
• Mobility and exchanges
• Interfacultary Seminar
• Continuing education and online courses

Research

The Faculty of GSE conducts transdisciplinary research, bringing together natural sciences and humanities. The research areas include:

• Institute of Geography and Sustainability
• Institute of Earth Sciences
• Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics
• Awards and distinctions
• Partners and scientific societies

MSc in Biogeosciences

The Master of Science in Biogeosciences (MSc BGS) is a joint degree awarded by the Universities of Lausanne and Neuchâtel. The program integrates two fields of natural science: biology and geology.

Structure of the MSc BGS

The program consists of three parts:

1. Core modules (48 ECTS)
   • M1 Fundamentals
   • M2 Analytical methods and techniques
   • M3 Statistics and Modelling
   • M4 Biogeochemical processes at the surface
   • M5 Soil Biology
   • M6 Electives
2. Thematic module (12 ECTS)
   • Theme A: Soil and vegetation
   • Theme B: Interactions in the geobiosphere
3. Master's thesis (60 ECTS)
   • Module M8a: Research dissertation
   • Module M8b: Research dissertation and internship

Part 1: Core Modules

• M1 Fundamentals (6 ECTS)
  • Basics of floristics
  • Microbiology
  • Surface geology
  • Surface Geochemistry
  • Pedology
• M2 Analytical methods and techniques (11 ECTS)
  • TP Soil description
  • TP Soil analysis
  • EXC Natural landscape analysis - mapping
  • One course to choose from: TP Molecular Ecology Techniques or TP Geochemical techniques
• M3 Statistics and Modelling (6 ECTS)
  • An elective course related to statistics
  • Statistical analyses in the environmental sciences
• M4 Biogeochemical processes at the surface (9 ECTS)
  • Great elementary cycles
  • Stable isotopes as environmental tracers
  • Soil and Water Chemistry
• M5 Soil Biology (9 ECTS)
  • Microbiology of Natural Environments
  • Fundamental and Applied Pedogenesis
  • Soil biology and biodiversity
• M6 Electives (7 ECTS)
  • EXC Ecosystems of the Jura
  • EXC Mediterranean Ecology
  • EXC Soils and vegetation of the Alps
  • Humus Forms TTP
  • IDYST-ISTE seminars
  • Any other course of your choice related to the master's degree

Part 2: Thematic Module

• Theme A: Soil and vegetation (12 ECTS)
  • Phytosociology and synsythematics
  • EXC Soil - Vegetation Relations
  • One course to choose from: Functional anatomy and ecology of higher plants, Methods for studying vegetation, Paleoecology, or TP biodiversity and soil ecology
• Theme B: Interactions in the geobiosphere (12 ECTS)
  • Concepts in geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry
  • Advanced Biogeochemistry TTPs
  • One course to choose from: Functional anatomy and ecology of higher plants, Methods for studying vegetation, Paleoecology, or TP biodiversity and soil ecology

Part 3: Master's Thesis

• Module M8a: Research dissertation (60 ECTS)
  • Thesis project writing workshop
  • Drafting the dissertation project
  • Research master's thesis
• Module M8b: Research dissertation and internship (60 ECTS)
  • Thesis project writing workshop
  • Drafting the dissertation project
  • Internship plan and objectives
  • Research master's thesis
  • Professional internship report

Institutes

The Faculty of GSE includes the following institutes:

• Institute of Geography and Sustainability
• Institute of Earth Sciences
• Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics

Areas

The faculty has the following areas:

• Staff area
• Student area
• Doctoral student area
• Teacher area
• Researcher area

Masters

The faculty offers the following master's programs:

• MA in Tourism Studies
• MA in Foundations and Practices of Sustainability
• MSc in Geography, Environment, and Planning
• MSc in Environmental Science
• MSc in Earth Sciences
• MSc in Biogeosciences