MSc Biological Sciences: Freshwater & Marine Biology

Water covers about 70% of our planet and sets it apart from every other planet we know. Water plays an important role in the global climate and is a source of food, minerals, energy and recreation. Aquatic ecosystems teem with organisms, ranging from tiny phytoplankton and zooplankton to coral, fish, and whales. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are also used as ‘dumping grounds' for much of society's waste and are profoundly affected by global change.

In the two-year track Freshwater & Marine Biology in the Master’s programme Biological Sciences you will immerse yourself in research ranging from tropical marine biology to the ecology of wetlands ecosystems.

Is Freshwater & Marine Biology the study for you?

It is, if you:

• have a solid background in biology;
• are eager to expand your knowledge and skills in freshwater or marine ecosystems;
• want to learn to address issues of global interest;
• are looking for the freedom to compile your own programme;
• want the advantages of a small-scale programme, where students and staff all know each other and you have the opportunity to become part of the national and international research network of the staff. 

What does Freshwater & Marine Biology have to offer me?

The Netherlands is a world leader in water management and aquatic research. The track Freshwater and Marine Biology applies this expertise to its investigation of lake, river, sea and ocean ecosystems. It is unique in the Netherlands in that it devotes attention to both freshwater and marine ecosystems and integrates the scientific disciplines relevant to aquatic ecosystems.

In this two-year track you will reflect on topics such as:

• impacts of climate change on freshwater and marine ecosystems
• harmful algal blooms and water management
• the role of aquatic microorganisms
• the biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems
• food-web interactions and fisheries
• sediment-water interactions
• the responses of aquatic organisms to changes in water quality

Research

The primary focus of the programme is research, conducted either within the university, at other research institutes in the Netherlands or abroad. The following research areas are offered to students within the university:

• Aquatic Ecology and Ecotoxicology
• Aquatic Microbiology
• Marine Microbiology
• Tropical Marine Biology
• Theoretical Ecology

And there are several options at institutes outside the UvA:

• Carmabi
• Netherlands Institute of Ecology
• Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Courses

Courses offer you the foundation required to conduct research in the biology, chemistry and physics of aquatic systems. The programme's curriculum covers a variety of topics in different disciplines, including algal blooms, hydrodynamics and phytoplankton, effects of climate change, water management, benthic ecology, microfilms, coral bleaching, natural products in sponges, aquatic ecotoxicology etc. These courses incorporate theory with laboratory and field work.

Majors or Tesla Minor: if you want more than research

Students of the Master’s programme Biological Sciences have further the option to choose one of three professional majors (60 EC) or minor (30 EC), each designed to train a specific set of skills needed as a secondary school teacher, in policy and communication or elsewhere outside the academia.:

The major Teaching
Prepares students to become a teacher in Biology at secondary schools and Higher Vocational Education (Dutch: HBO). This major is offered by the Interfacultaire Lerarenopleidingen (ILO).
 

The major Science Communication
Prepares students for a role in communication between science and other societal sectors. This major is offered by the Athena Institute of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).
 

The major Science in Society
Trains skills such as reading and writing policy advisory reports, management and leadership, and organisation, and is meant for students with a broad interest in current affairs, social issues, policy, management and entrepreneurship. This major is offered by the Athena Institute of the VU.
 

Minor Tesla
Trains skills needed in interdisciplinary environments by tackling real business or societal cases with external partners. This minor has recently been developed by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies at the Faculty of Science (http://teslaminor.nl/)