MSc Programme in Environmental Chemistry

Graduation confers the degree Master of Science in Environmental Chemistry. In Danish: Cand.scient. i Miljøkemi.

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1. 1 The programme’s objective

 

The principal aim of the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry is to train graduates with advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge within environmental chemistry, who will be able to undertake commercial functions and participate in scientific work within the area of environmental chemistry.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

 

The programme’s general profile is achieved via a combination of several subject elements within the area of environmental chemistry from three faculties at University of Copenhagen in collaboration with Technical University of Denmark – environmental soil chemistry and biotechnology (Faculty of Life Sciences, LIFE), atmospheric environmental science (Faculty of Natural Sciences, NAT), aquatic environmental chemistry (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, FARMA) and environmental risk assessment of chemicals (Technical University of Denmark, DTU).

The elective courses can be chosen from among all natural science subjects at the contributing institutions.

 

The thesis project is an experimental and/or theoretical study with an environmental chemistry content. The thesis must provide an in-depth treatment of the chemistry of substances’ behaviour, turnover and toxic effects in soil, water or the atmosphere, including laboratory and analytical methods, experimental procedures and modern biotechnology tools.

 

An interdisciplinary board – the Joint Council for Environmental Chemistry – advises the individual universities’ boards of studies with respect to formulation and coordination of the programme’s components and their quality, and reviews students’ study plans, which must be approved by the Council before commencement of the thesis.

 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

 

Graduates of the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry focus on generalist and specialist areas of work within research and innovation institutions and companies (e.g. within soil and water purification), public environmental, natural resource and land management, analytical laboratories and consultancy companies. Typical areas of employment for environmental chemists are counties and administrations, universities and sector research institutions, consultant engineering firms, and chemistry-related companies/industries.

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

 

During the master’s programme in Environmental Chemistry students must obtain the knowledge, skills and competences described below. These qualifications are obtained partly through participation in core modules partly through the participation in elective courses and the preparation of a master’s thesis.

 

After completing the MSc in Environmental Chemistry the graduate should be able to:

 

1.4.1 Knowledge

• Critically reflect on international scientific literature on environmental chemistry
• Describe and overview compounds and processes in soil, water and air at a molecular-mechanistic level
• Identify effects and toxicity of pollutants on living organisms
• Reflect on the relevance of different general methods of ecotoxicology and risk assessment in specific cases
• Overview and understand analytical methods, experimental approaches and modern biotechnology tools which are applied at a high scientific level

 

1.4.2 Skills

• Set up mass and energy flows and quantify matter transformations, in particular those of pollutants, by means of state-of-the-art models and validate model predictions
• Analyse and apply international scientific literature on environmental chemistry
• Use the most important databases in chemical, microbiological and toxicological matters concerning pollutants
• Participate in the design and conduct of scientific experiments
• Apply basic scientific principles to the analysis of larger amounts of data
• Communicate complex environmental chemical information to different national and international audiences, using modern and appropriate information and communication tools

 

1.4.3 Competences

• Expand the field of environmental chemistry by development of new technology, implementation of new analytical and monitoring methods and evaluation and solving of environmental problems
• Explore complex relationships between basic scientific issues of environmental problems and the economic, social and political barriers to be crossed in order to implement solutions in national and international settings
• Take into account influences of social, political and religious attitudes when working out solutions to environmental problems
• Assess the impact of new technology on prevalent values and ethics and take this into account when involved in research, risk and uncertainty assessment or implementation of new technologies.
• Handle and solve complex environmental problems in specific work situations or in research
• Work independently and effectively on an individual basis, in teams as well as in cross-disciplinary environments
• Engage in research at a national and international level
• Work as a specialist within environmental chemistry related research and innovation institutions and companies, public environmental, natural resource and land management departments, analytical laboratories, consultancy and other professional commercial companies
• Use lifelong learning as a principle to independently evaluate and structure learning processes and assume responsibility for continuous professional development

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

Year 1	Blok 1	Environmental Soil Chemistry and Biotechnology
	Blok 2	Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry (KU-Nat)
	Blok 3	Aquatic Environmental Chemistry (KU-Farma)	Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (DTU)
	Blok 4

 

Year 2	Block 1	Thesis (60 credits)
	Block 2
	Block 3
	Block 4

 

	Compulsory courses
	Thesis
	Elective courses

2.1 Content

 

The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:

 

    230022     Environmental Soil Chemistry and Biotechnology* - 7.5 credits

         -         Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry (KU NAT) - 7.5 credits

    A-317-2    Aquatic Environmental Chemistry (KU FARMA) - 7.5 credits

    12235       Environmental Risk Assessment of Chemicals (DTU) - 7.5 credits

 

*In the study year 2005-06 the name and number of the course was: 230013 Soil and Environment C.

 

The programme concludes with a 60-point thesis within its subject area. The thesis must be experimental. The main supervisor for the thesis may be employed at LIFE, NAT, FARMA or DTU. The compulsory courses and the thesis comprise the core subjects in the programme (90 credits). There are 30 credits for elective courses and other elective study activities.

 

The programme may include trainee service.

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

3.1 Admission requirements

 

A bachelor’s degree from Faculty of Life Sciences in Natural Resources with specialisation in environmental science (Environmental Science core module) is a direct qualification.

 

Bachelors in Natural Resources with other subject groups and bachelors in Biology-Biotechnology and Horticultural Sciences may be enrolled, provided that they have passed:

 

    230009     Miljøkemi i biologiske systemer

    210005     Statistisk dataanalyse 1

    250021     Jord, vand og planter

 

- or equivalent.

 

In addition, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental chemistry or biology from another Danish or foreign university is an acceptable qualification if the student has the equivalent prerequisites. The Board of Environmental Chemistry will ensure similar qualification requirements at the enrolling faculties (NAT and LIFE).

 

3.2 Enrolment

 

Admission is possible once a year with commencement of studies on 1 September.

 

If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the permitted intake, the study leader will rank admissions. The order of priority will be according to relevant qualifications in chemistry, microbiology and environmental science, but also on marks obtained in core disciplines.

The Board of Environmental Chemistry will ensure similar rules of admission to the master’s of science programme in Environmental Chemistry at the enrolling faculties (NAT and LIFE).