Geology, Biogeology - Master Programme

Are you fascinated by the mind-boggling timescale of fossils? Would you like to contribute to our understanding of how geological processes interact with Planet Earth’s different ecosystems and how evolution has shaped the world we live in today? This Master’s programme gives you leading-edge expertise that is in demand in the national and international labour market.

The programme provides you with specialised knowledge about prehistoric life, how plants and animals evolved over the Earth’s long history, and ecosystems from different time perspectives. The programme uses modern methods in palaeontology, evolutionary biology and palaeoecology. You also study palaeoceanography, palaeolimnology and sedimentology, which give you an understanding of how oceans and lakes create archives of the changes that have occurred on our planet over hundreds of millions of years.

Your lectures and exercises will be held in well-equipped facilities. The department has a wide range of advanced research equipment. Here, you will find instruments for geochemical analysis, state-of-the-art microscopes for analysing sediments, biological tissue remnants and microfossils, and various dating laboratories, for example to determine the age of fossils, which can tell us about the evolution of life over hundreds of millions of years.

Fieldwork is also an important part of the programme. You will participate in field courses and excursions to southern Sweden, Denmark and the island of Gotland to find out more about different types of strata and remnants of ancient life. The programme has a strong connection with research and all members of the teaching staff are researchers. The department has several world-leading research teams. The language of instruction is English. You will conduct oral and written presentations and gain extensive experience of working in groups.

Programme structure

In the first semester, you will take courses in sedimentary geology and basin analysis, as well as palaeoecological methods and environmental analysis. In the following spring semester, you can study marine geology and take a course on the evolution of the biosphere, palaeoecology and palaeontology. You can also combine courses in biogeology with other courses, for example in glacial geology or petrology. On admission to the programme, you will automatically be placed on the first semester’s two courses.

The second year of studies consists of an optional course (15 credits) and degree project (45 credits). The degree project normally includes fieldwork in Sweden or abroad, followed by analysis work in one of our research laboratories. Data processing and a literature review are included in the thesis work.

Career prospects

Demand for geological expertise will only increase in the future to address the major societal challenges we are facing. With a Master’s degree in Geology, you will be well-equipped with both general and specific subject knowledge. Many of our students get jobs as environmental consultants or specialists within the mining, construction or civil engineering sectors. Others make a career in public authorities, such as the Geological Survey of Sweden, county administrative boards or the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, often focused on sustainable management of groundwater and other geological resources. You can also work in municipal planning, nature conservation and other types of public information within the field. Geological knowledge is in demand all over the world and there are good opportunities to find jobs abroad, for example concerning water supply in developing countries or in major infrastructure projects. The programme also qualifies you for third-cycle studies.

More info: https://www.geology.lu.se/education/programme-structure