Earth, Life and Climate

Overview

Explore process affecting the Earth's life and its environment

This two-year Earth, Life and Climate  programme at Utrecht University will provide you with the knowledge you need to understand climate change and its impact on natural environments such as soils, sediments, lakes, groundwater, wetlands, estuaries, and oceans.

The main topics you will study include the evolution of life, the development of sedimentary basins, carbon sources and sinks, biogeochemical and geochemical fingerprinting of sedimentary processes/environments, and climate reconstruction.

You can choose one of four tracks based on your specific interests:

• Integrated Stratigraphy & Sedimentary SystemsDynamics of marine and continental sedimentary systems

• Climate ReconstructionThe reconstruction of climate change through Earth's history

• Biogeosciences & EvolutionThe evolution and response of biota to perturbations in the environments

• BiogeochemistryProcesses that control the elemental cycles at the Earth’s surface

Career Prospects

Many of our graduates go on to find employment in research. Depending on your personal interests and ambitions, you will be equipped to work in both fundamental and applied research. 

You can pursue a career in applied research in government institutes, consulting firms, or various industries. Typical professional profiles of our graduates include Geologist, Sedimentologist, Biogeologist, Physical Geographer, Geochemist and Hydrologist.

Knowledge of large-scale and long-term processes provides you with a good basis for managing major environmental issues. The numerous global-change issues currently facing us mean you can pursue a variety of employment opportunities.

Accreditation

Accredited by the NVAO - Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.