Master of Science [M.S] [Earth Structure and Dynamics] From Utrecht University

The??programme offered by??combines geology, geophysics, mathematics, physics, chemistry and field studies to address how the solid Earth works.?It allows you to specialise in virtually any aspect of solid Earth science, ranging from theoretical geophysics to pure geology or geochemistry. Many students choose a combined geology-geophysics focus.

Core areas of teaching and research

The main subject areas you will study consist of?seismology, tectonophysics, mantle dynamics, structural geology, metamorphism, magmatic processes, basin evolution, hydrocarbon and mineral deposits, and the properties of Earth materials. You will examine processes ranging from slow geodynamic processes ? such as mantle convection, plate tectonics,?sedimentary basins formation and evolution,?and mountain building ? to those that can have an impact during a human lifetime. These include active crustal deformation, seismicity, and volcanism as well as subsidence, uplift?induced?seismicity and geo-resources.

In the programme, you will address questions such as:

• How do mountain belts and sedimentary basins form??

• How can we image the internal structure of the crust and mantle??

• How does plate tectonics really work and how can we model it??

• What controls volcanic eruptions and earthquakes??

• Can CO2 be safely stored in reservoir rocks in the Earth?s crust??

Careers

This Master?s programme will prepare you to analyse scientific, practical, economical, or societal problems from a geoscientific perspective. Based on your expertise you will be able to provide an explanation for the problem or to identify knowledge gaps and to formulate appropriate research questions. You will be skilled to extract and integrate information from scientific literature for analysing the problem and/or performing the research.

When research is required, you will be able to delineate the approach and methodology. You will also be trained to use specific techniques and to interpret the related results for finding answers for your questions. These techniques can include field research, laboratory experiments, computational methods and the application of geophysical, biological, or chemical procedures. Your specialisation in the Master?s programme will determine in which of these techniques you will become most skilled.