Earth, Life and Climate

Overview

Explore process affecting the Earth's life and its environment

This two-year programme 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

Societal and scientific challenges

On the Earth, Life and Climate programme at Utrecht University , you will learn state-of-the-art reconstruction methods, modelling techniques, and laboratory experiments used in a wide range of earth and beta science disciplines. 

These disciplines include biogeology, palaeontology, palynology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, environmental geochemistry, organic geochemistry, hydrology, physical geography, geology, biology, climate dynamics, marine sciences and palaeoceanography. 

You will utilise these skills in your own research project or on the traineeships you can take in preparation for an international career in applied or fundamental research. 

The programme focuses on the following societal and scientific questions:

• How does the Earth’s climate system respond to higher levels of atmospheric CO2?

• How fast do ice sheets respond to global warming?

• How are regional patterns of precipitation controlled by changes in monsoon strength or El Niño?

• How resilient is the ocean to chemical perturbations?

• How sensitive are ecosystems and biodiversity to environmental change?

• How and when did life originate on Earth?

• How are resources, such as fossil fuels and metal deposits, formed?

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 in divers sectors.

Accreditation

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