International Master of Science in Soils and Global Change (Soil-Plant System Processes and Global Change)
Increased population pressure, industrialisation and intensive land use are causing depletion of natural resources and are limiting the performance of land with respect to its functions such as biomass production, carbon sequestration, water purification, etcetera. The additive effects of climate change and the abovementioned aspects of global change influence the capacity of soils to sustain functions to provide planetary services and human wellbeing. Soil (pedosphere) forms the interface between the air (atmosphere) and the earth (lithosphere) and interacts with surface and groundwater (hydrosphere) and living organisms (biosphere). It is thus a vital component of ecosystems and needs to be safeguarded. The future capacity of soils to exert their functions in relation to planetary services and human wellbeing is at stake, and this is a top priority of national and international organisations and governmental bodies, such as the EU. It has been estimated that in the EU, 60-70% of the soils are unhealthy and that land degradation costs more than 50 billion euro per year.
This underlines the critical need for experts with an in-depth understanding of the different components and interlinkages of soil processes in relation to global change, and trained to develop and apply evidence-based sustainable solutions.
What
The International Master in Soils and Global Change (IMSOGLO) is a unique programme designed to educate the next generation of soil scientists. The programme is specifically tailored to develop the knowledge and skills students need to characterise soils, understand soil evolution in an ecosystem context under global change based on a deep insight in the underlying processes and interactions, and develop strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation. IMSOGLO provides students with a comprehensive understanding of soil processes in a global change context, including the ability to contribute to multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary work in different ecosystems. Additionally, students gain awareness of high-order targets connected to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU's Green Deal to make conscious contributions to policy-relevant research.
IMSOGLO is a two-year, 120-ECTS programme jointly organised by four renown European universities:
- Ghent University (Belgium)
- Aarhus University (Denmark)
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (Austria)
- University of Göttingen (Germany)
IMSOGLO students jointly follow the first term at Ghent University to level their fundamental soil science knowledge. The remaining terms are spent either at Ghent University and Aarhus University for the specialisation Soil Ecosystem Services and Global Change, or at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna and the University of Göttingen for the specialisation Soil-Plant System Processes and Global Change.
The second and third term consist of mandatory and elective course units, deepening the students' knowledge and skills in the chosen specialisation, and broadening the students' knowledge and skills through open choice of electives and softskill course units. Students from both specialisations meet again during the Living Lab Summer School between the first and second year. The fourth term is dedicated to the Master's dissertation.
For whom
The admission requirements vary. Depending on your prior education, you are either able to enrol directly, or there are additional requirements.
Structure
IMSOGLO is a two-year, 120-ECTS programme.
The first term at Ghent University (Belgium) amounts to thirty ECTS and brings all students to a comparable level on biological, chemical and physical soil processes, land information systems, and statistics.
The second term of thirty ECTS is followed either at Ghent University or the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (Austria), depending on the chosen specialisation, Soil Ecosystem Services and Global Change, or Soil-Plant System Processes and Global Change, respectively. This specialising term focuses on more advanced topics and the development of soft skills. An optional Work Placement is offered during the second term.
Both the acquired knowledge and skills are to be applied in a joint Summer School at a Living Lab organised during Summer between the first and the second year, where they also meet experts and stakeholders. The jointness of the Living Lab Summer School allows students to synchronise and exchange their obtained specialisation-specific knowledge and skills. They work together on evaluating sustainable land management practices in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EU’s Green Deal targets, thus addressing "wicked" problems with contradicting, conflicting and sometimes even changing requirements.
The third term is followed either at Aarhus University (Denmark) or at the University of Göttingen (Germany) depending on the chosen specialisation, Soil Ecosystem Services and Global Change, or Soil-Plant System Processes and Global Change, respectively. This specialising term also focuses on more advanced topics and the development of soft skills. The third offers the opportunity to join excursions abroad (Europe, Greenland) to witness effects of global change on soils.
The fourth term is dedicated to the Master's dissertation. Students are supervised by experts of both the partner universities that offer the specialisation chosen by the student. The Master's dissertation topic can also be offered and co-supervised by one of the associated partners inside and outside Europe.
Labour Market
An employability needs analysis performed by IMSOGLO showed a pressing lack of graduates specialised in how global change affects soils and soil functions and vice versa is pressing. The IMSOGLO programme delivers such specialists. IMSOGLO alumni surveys showed that there is a clear need for IMSOGLO alumni, most importantly in academic research. At a later stage in their career, IMSOGLO graduates will mostly shift from academic research towards consultancy, administration and education.
Quality Assurance
At Ghent University, we strive to educate people who dare to think about the challenges of tomorrow. For that purpose, we provide education that is embedded in six strategic objectives: Think Broadly, Keep Researching, Cultivate Talent, Contribute, Extend Horizons, Opt for Quality.
Ghent University continuously focuses on quality assurance and quality culture. The Ghent University's quality assurance system offers information on each study programme’s unique selling points, and on its strengths and weaknesses with regard to quality assurance.
More information:
Ghent University's Education Objectives
Unique Selling Points
- IMSOGLO graduates have the worldwide unique expertise, knowledge and skills to characterize and understand soil evolution in ecosystems under global change because they understand the underlying processes and their interactions.
- IMSOGLO offers an international dimension as the education is offered by at least two excellent European universities where broad international experience on global change research and education is concentrated.
- IMSOGLO adopts a multidisciplinarity approach and deals with soils as part of ecosystems, where physical, chemical, hydrological and biological processes interact. Both the individual disciplines and their synthesis are taught.
- IMSOGLO students study soils in class, in the lab and in their natural habitat, and experience a wide range of indoor and outdoor teaching methods.
- IMSOGLO students are trained in a career-oriented way to participate in and lead interdisciplinary groups that contribute to the development of sustainable environmental solutions on a local, regional and global scale, in the private and the public sector.
Strengths
- IMSOGLO offers new students TakeOff@FBE, a preparatory programme prior to the start of the first academic year. TakeOff@FBE combines refresher courses covering the basics (mathematics, chemistry, statistics) with introductory sessions on student life in Ghent/Belgium, and basic ICT skills. They will meet fellow students from inside and outside IMSOGLO and thus start to build a community among international students, staff and Flemish fellow-students.
- Our lecturers are internationally renowned experts in their discipline. Yet, they are highly approachable which is well-valued by the students. Students find the distance between students and professors to be surprisingly modest.
- Besides soil-oriented course units, IMSOGLO offers soft skill elective course units (work placement, developing a business idea, and a scientific communication course unit) to prepare students for a world career.
- In addition to regular course unit reviews, IMSOGLO has an independent Education Quality Assurance Committee with an open eye for quality issues beyond the individual partner universities to keep the quality high and further improve it when needed. Quality assurance also means students and alumni participation.
- IMSOGLO students participate to a joint Living Lab Summer School, exposing them to real life situations related to soils and global change, and meet stakeholders and experts external to the programme.
- IMSOGLO graduates receive a Joint Diploma, signed by Ghent University and the partner universities offering the chosen specialisation.
Challenges
- IMSOGLO is a demanding programme and the work load and academic level are considered quite high.
- Moving between different European universities and countries requires additional efforts to finding a place to live, getting accustomed to a new culture, and following administrative procedures.
This study programme is accredited according to Art. II.151 of the Flemish Higher Education Code.
This information was last updated on 25/09/2023.
In case of questions or suggestions with regard to the publicly available information, please contact the study programme.