MSc Programme in Environmental Chemistry

 

The programme is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 338 of 6 May 2004 on bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in universities. The programme is under the Natural Sciences Study Board.

 

Graduation confers the degree Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry. In Danish: Cand.scient. i Miljøkemi.

 

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

 

1. 1 The programme’s objective

The principal aim of the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry is to train graduates with advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge within environmental chemistry, who will be able to undertake commercial functions and participate in scientific work within the area of environmental chemistry.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

The programme’s general profile is achieved via a combination of several subject elements within the area of environmental chemistry from four universities – soil and environment (Faculty of Life Sceinces, LIFE), atmospheric environmental science (Faculty of Sciences, NAT), aquatic environmental chemistry (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, FARMA) and ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment of chemicals (Technical University of Denmark, DTU).

 

The elective courses can be chosen form among all natural science subjects at the contributing institutions.

The thesis project is an experimental and/or theoretical study with an environmental chemistry content. The thesis must provide an in-depth treatment of the chemistry of substances’ behaviour, turnover and toxic effects in soil, water or the atmosphere, including laboratory and analytical methods, experimental procedures and modern biotechnology tools.

 

An interdisciplinary board – the Joint Council for Environmental Chemistry – advises the individual universities’ boards of studies with respect to formulation and coordination of the programme’s components and their quality, and reviews students’ study plans, which must be approved by the Council before commencement of the thesis.

 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

Graduates of the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry focus on generalist and specialist areas of work within research and innovation institutions and companies (e.g. within soil and water purification), public environmental, natural resource and land management, analytical laboratories and consultancy companies. Typical areas of employment for environmental chemists are counties and administrations, universities and sector research institutions, consultant engineering firms, and chemistry-related companies/industries.

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

The object of the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry is to train graduates with the following competences:

 

1.4.1 Competences within basic science

An understanding of:

• compounds and processes in soil, water and air at a molecular-mechanistic level
• effects and toxicity of pollutants on living organisms as well as of general methods of ecotoxicology and risk assessment
• analytical methods, experimental approaches and modern biotechnology tools.

1.4.2 Competences within applied science

The ability to:

• set up mass and energy flows and quantify matter transformations, in particular those of pollutants, by means of state-of-the-art models, and to validate model predictions
• understand, analyse and apply scientific literature on environmental chemistry
• use the most important databases in chemical, microbiological and toxicological matters concerning pollutants
• participate in the design and conduct of scientific experiments
• communicate complex environmental chemical information to different national and international user groups in written texts and orally.

The ability to apply basic scientific principles to:

• the handling and solving of more complex environmental problems
• the analysis of larger amounts of data
• participation in cross-disciplinary work

The ability to expand the applied field of environmental chemistry by:

• development of new technology
• implementation of new analytical and monitoring methods
• evaluation and solving of environmental problems.

1.4.3. Competences within ethics and values

An awareness of:

• the relationships between basic scientific issues of environmental problems and the economic, social and political barriers to be crossed in order to implement solutions
• the dependence of risk and uncertainty assessment on ethics and values
• the influence of social, political and religious attitudes on solutions to environmental problems
• the impact of new technology on current values

 

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

 

 

2.1 Content

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:

    230022     Environmental Soil Chemistry and Biotechnology (1) - 7.5 credits

    NAT          Atmospheric Environmental Science - 7.5 credits

    FARMA      Aquatic Environmental Chemistry - 7.5 credits

    DTU          Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals - 7.5 credits

 

1) In the study year 2005-06 the name and number of the course was: 230013 Soil and Environment C.

 

The programme concludes with a 60-point thesis within its subject area. The thesis must be experimental. The main supervisor for the thesis may be employed at LIFE, NAT, FARMA or DTU. The compulsory courses and the thesis comprise the core subjects in the programme (90 credits). There are 30 credits for elective courses and other elective study activities.

 

The programme may include trainee service and study trips.

 

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

 

3.1 Admission requirements

A bachelor’s degree from Faculty of Life Sciences in Natural Resources with specialisation in environmental science (Environmental Science core module) is a direct qualification.

 

Bachelors in Natural Resources with other subject groups and bachelors in Biology-Biotechnology and Horticultural Sciences may be enrolled, provided that they have passed

    230009             Miljøkemi i biologiske systemer

    210005             Statistisk dataanalyse

    250021             Jord, vand og planter

or equivalent.

 

In addition, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental chemistry or biology from another Danish or foreign university is an acceptable qualification if the student has the equivalent prerequisites. The Board of Environmental Chemistry will ensure similar qualification requirements at the enrolling faculties (NAT and LIFE) .

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3.2 Enrolment

Admission is possible once a year with commencement of studies on 1 September.

If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the permitted intake, admissions will be ranked by the study leader. The order of priority will be according to relevant qualifications in chemistry, microbiology and environmental science, but also on marks obtained in core disciplines. 

The Board of Environmental Chemistry will ensure similar rules of admission to the master’s of science programme in Environmental Chemistry at the enrolling faculties (NAT and LIFE).