MSc in Geology

The MSc in Geology at Aarhus University is a flexible, research-centred programme that encourages students to explore their own interests both in the lab and in the field. The programme includes most classic geological disciplines in new and modern guises. Students have the chance to customise their research within the programme so as to suit their own personal and professional interests.

SPECIALISED RESEARCH

Teaching on the programme is integrated with research at the highest international level. The Department of Geoscience is renowned for its research in quaternary geology, hydrogeology, basin and lithosphere geology (oil geology and geothermics), micropalaeontology and climate research, structural geology, petrology, and geochemistry.

The department also has a close collaboration with the Department of Archaeology. A number of laboratories are available, including a luminescence dating facility, a metal-free clean laboratory with mass spectrometers, a cosmogenic nuclide laboratory, and a core scanner. Students work closely with technical staff and with some of the best Danish and international researchers in the field. Teamwork is promoted so as to provide a forum for group research and discussion as well as opportunities to partner with private companies for research.

STUDENT LIFE

The Department of Geoscience is a small community of about two hundred students brought together by shared research, team field trips, and common interests.
Classes take place in modern facilities with well-equipped labs. Students have access to cosy study areas, quiet reading rooms, wi-fi, computers and, of course, a classic Danish pop-up Friday bar. Students also have access to a communal office where they can sit and read, or just hang out together.

CAREERS

Graduates of the programme have moved into a wide range of careers, from the water and oil industries to engineering and construction, government consultancy, and research.

SELECTION CRITERIA

As the Master’s programme admits only a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the programme. Student places are allocated on the basis of an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses applicants according to the following criteria: academic background; overall grade level of bachelor’s degree; grades achieved on relevant courses; and relevant courses (measured in credit units) included in the bachelor’s degree.

Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of geology, geophysics, physics, chemistry, mathematics, probability theory, statistics, and programming.

SPECIALISATIONS IN MSC IN GEOLOGY

The MSc in Geology is a two-year programme offering four different specialisations. The specialisation is chosen in the first year, and the second year is dedicated to the Master’s thesis.

Modules in each specialisation are either 5 or 10 ECTS. A full year of study is 60 ECTS.

For more information visit our webpage: geo.au.dk

STUDENT LIFE 

The Department of Geoscience is a small community of about 110 students, brought together by shared research, field trips, and common interests. Students have access to several study areas and facilities, including quiet reading rooms, a common kitchen, computers and, of course, a classic Danish pop-up Friday bar. 

Thanks to the department's small size, students benefit from a favourable professor-to-student ratio. Additionally, the department values an "open door" policy, which means that teachers are available to assist and engage in discussion with students.

Classes take place in well-equipped labs with technical staff to assist. The Department has more than 1.000 m2 of laboratories and electrical workshops, with equipment including practical machines for sample preparation, chemical labs, and an ultra-clean metal-free lab. We have state of the art analytical equipment such as XRF, XRD, GCMS, SEM, ICP-MS, and highly advanced microscopes for many purposes, as well as seismic and other geophysical equipment to carry out surveys on land or sea. 

CAREERS 

Our graduates are in high demand and most find jobs shortly a􀅌er graduation. Furthermore, Aarhus will be the centre for Water Valley Denmark, which has the ambition of being world leading in sustainable water technology, thus creating numerous new jobs in the field. 

Geologists find work in both the private and public sectors in Denmark and abroad, working in areas such as environmental and resource consulting, water supply, environmental clean-up, foundation soundings for e.g., offshore wind turbines, geothermal energy, raw materials industry (gravel, sand and metals), education and research, as well as product development with geomaterials. Some jobs may involve field work.