Master of Science in Sustainable Land Management

The model learning track in the interuniversity Master of Science in Physical Land Resources: Land Resources Engineering (Urban Land Management as from 2021-22) (120 ECTS) includes:

• Compulsory Courses (80 ECTS)(60 ECTS in MA1, 20 ECTS in MA2)
• Elective Courses (10 ECTS in MA2)
• Master's Thesis (30 ECTS in MA2)

Each of the modules has to be successfully completed by the student to obtain the diploma. The student has to respect all registration requirements. For each (sub)module is shown to which year of the full-time model learning track (year 1 or year 2) the courses belong. It is strongly recommended to follow the model learning track (first year 1, then year 2) and to add the courses to the study plan taking into account the level of the course: first introducing courses, then advanced and finally specialized courses.

The course curriculum of the first year of the model learning track in Land Resources Engineering (Urban Land Management) is organized at the Ghent University, whereas all courses of the main subject in Land Resources Engineering (Urban Land Management) of the second year of this track are organized at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

The graduate of the Main Subject Soil Science:

• can deduct information from the characterization of soil material and its environment about soil-forming processes, in particular for tropical (humid and dry) areas, and is competent in interpreting the data in relation to the soil and the regolith as part of the ecosystem both in time and space;
• can scientifically study the abiotic aspects of soil and water management, and has knowledge of agricultural engineering systems and techniques;
• is knowledgeable about soil and methods to evaluate the soil and its components (solid soil parts, soil fluids, soil air) for multiple applications;
• has the competence to recognize the impact of technical interventions and measures in the frame of soil and land management both in the short and in the long term, and to understand, assess and interpret it;
• has the competence to use modern equipment, informatics, and computer technology to inventory soil or land and to model abiotic processes.

The graduate of the Main Subject in Land Resources Engineering combines applied scientific knowledge and advanced technical competence in non-agricultural aspects of soil management, and in particular:

• can use GIS and earth observation techniques to digitally inventory and process soil data and landscape characteristics;
• has acquired the basic knowledge in geo-techniques with special reference to practical applications of soil as building and foundation material, and to the stability of slopes and excavations;
• can use field, physical and chemical techniques to study and describe soil and regolith layers;
• has knowledge about the interactions between soil and groundwater in relation to environmental management and land use;
• has insight into the processes which influence soil and landscape stability, is acquainted with and can design possible measures for management and remediation.

After graduation, you can continue your academic career as a PhD researcher.

Employment can be found in the fields of:

• soil management
• environment assessment
• water management, including water supply and control
• stability of taluds and excavations
• use of soil as a construction material
• coastal development
• erosion and sediment transport