All students start at UGent. After the first semester, the students have a basic overview on soil sciences and are ready for one of the two Specialisations that each cover the next three semesters. According to their chosen specialisation (A or B) students move to BOKU for the 2nd semester (specialization “Soil biogeochemistry & global change”) or stay at UGent (specialization “Physical land resources & global change”). The first modules of both Specialisations contain both theoretical classes and practical exercises, field trips and excursions. At BOKU the module "Sustainable land management" will be completed by the students in the second semester of Specialization A. The Joint Summer Activity is offered during the summer break between the second and third semester. Alternatingly, a Field Work in China and a Summer School at BOKU are organised. The three ECTS credits that can be obtained by successfully participating in the Joint Summer Activity, are part of the mandatory curriculum of the second semester.
Students spend the 3rd semester either at UGOE (Specialization “Soil biogeochemistry & global change”) or AU (Specialization “Physical land resources & global change”). If students specialise in "Soil biogeochemistry and global change", they move to UGOE for the "Biogeochemical consequences of global change" Module. Students specialising in "Physical land resources and global change" move to AU for the "Soil physical consequences of global change" Module.
In both the second and third semester, students take compulsory courses but also choose from elective courses.
In the 4th semester students can conduct their master’s thesis research at one of the institutions organizing their specialization, under supervision of two lecturers of two consortium partner institutions (BOKU, UGOE). The students will receive 30 ECTS for their MSc thesis, whereby 20 ECTS will be from the partner university of the first supervisor and 10 ECTS from the partner university of the second supervisor.
