Soil, Water and Environment

Published: 29 March 2023
Agriculture. Person studies crops. A combine harvester and a tractor in the fields. Bird and tree. Three-dimensional picture.

Information for those studying on the Master's programme (two-year) in Soil, Water and Environment. On these pages you will find information about the programme, contact details and the documents governing the degree programme.

New applicant to the programme in 2023?

There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. The last date to apply is 16 January 2023. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

Welcome letter

Congratulations on your place at SLU and on the Soil, Water and Environment Master’s programme! We look forward to meeting you here in Uppsala this autumn.

 

The autumn semester 2023 begins with roll call and study information.

 

Date: Monday 28 August

 

Time and place: On the pages for new students, you will find information about the study start and when the roll call for your programme begins.

 

On these pages, you will also find all the information you need as a new student at SLU, including information about the orientation days. The orientation days are not mandatory but we recommend that you attend them. They take place at the end of August, before the semester starts, and provide essential and useful information about your stay in Sweden and your studies at SLU.

 

Your first course will be Soil water processes in the agroecosystems. On the course page, you will find a schedule for your classes and other course-related information. Timetables and reading lists will be published at least four weeks before the course starts.

 

Link to program webpage

The next two years will be exciting, a lot of hard work and also a lot of fun. During your studies, you will take courses in different subjects at different departments, often together with students from other programs. The SWE programme will provide you with advance knowledge in soil and water management and combines scientific training with applied knowledge. You will be trained in the ability to assess the effects of various types of soil use on soil and water quality and to design and apply relevant management methods. The programme covers in-depth elements in soil science and applied elements in sustainable soil and water use. Some courses focus on international aspects of soil and water management. The studies conclude with an independent project (degree project) where you will implement your knowledge on a current issue within the subject area of sustainable soil and water use.

 

Upon completion of the programme, depending on the choice of courses, you will be awarded with a Master of Science in either Soil science or Environmental science. After your education, your expertise will be needed within public authorities from local to national levels as well as within research or private companies such as consultancy firms, both nationally and internationally. You will also have good opportunities to become a PhD student.

 

Once again, welcome to SLU!
Karin Hamnér and Hanna Friberg, Directors of studies

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Project

What are the rules for those doing an independent project as part of the Soil and Water Management programme?

In order to be awarded the degree of Master of Science, you must carry out an independent project/degree project at master level (A2E) worth at least 30 credits. All independent projects have a course syllabus and the course schedule indicates when these courses are offered.

How do I find a subject and a supervisor? Find out more on the general pages about independent projects

What specific requirements are there for the independent project on my programme? These are indicated in Appendix 3 of the programme syllabus.

Find out more:

  • About independent projects at SLU
  • Specific information about independent projects at the Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences

Syllabus

Soil, Water and Environment - Master's Programme

Programcode:
NM029

Requirements

Admission to the Master’s programme Soil, Water and Environment requires a first-cycle qualification comprising 180 credits and including specialised studies comprising 90 credits within one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

  • biology

  • agricultural sciences

  • soil sciences, geo sciences

  • environmental sciences

  • forestry

  • technology

In addition, knowledge corresponding to

  • at least 15 credits within chemistry

  • at least 15 credits within biology and/or soil or earth sciences.

Applicants with the equivalent qualifications obtained by means of a degree from another country, or with the equivalent knowledge obtained in some other way, may also be regarded as fulfilling the specific entry requirements.

This programme is taught in English. The applicant must further have a level of English equivalent to upper secondary school English, called English 6. An applicant with a first-cycle qualification from SLU comprising 180 credits automatically fulfils this requirement. Special rules apply for applicants with qualifications from one of the Nordic countries and some English-speaking countries.

Specific requirements apply for admission to the individual courses included in the programme.

Goals

General objectives

The general objectives for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Objectives for a Degree

In accordance with the annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall:

Knowledge and understanding

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and

  • demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

  • demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information

  • demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work

  • demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and

  • demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

  • demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work

  • demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and

  • demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Exam

Degree awarded on completion of the programme

Upon completion of the programme, the degree of Master of Science is awarded. Other general qualifications may be awarded, provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. More information can be found in SLU´s degree regulations.

Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a degree will be issued a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Soil Science or with a Major in Environmental Science.

Degree requirements

A degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in soil science is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:

  • at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field soil science (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field soil science (A2E).

In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.

A degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in environmental science as the main field of study is awarded to students who fulfil the course requirements (courses with a Pass grade) of 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits at second-cycle level, according to the following:

  • at least 30 credits of courses with specialised study in the main field environmental science (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) in the main field environmental science (A2E).

In addition, the student must hold a degree of Bachelor or professional qualification of at least 180 credits or an equivalent qualification.

Content and Structure

Programme description

The Soil, Water and Environment programme provides the student with advanced knowledge in soil and water management. The programme combines this with applied knowledge within the study field, scientific training and connections to the related sector for soil and water management.

The programme provides a comprehensive description of processes in soil and water seen from a landscape perspective. The programme emphasises important soil properties and important flow paths for water, nutrients and other substances through the soil and the plants to the atmosphere, or through the soil to ground and surface water. Students will be trained in the ability to assess the effects of various types of soil use on soil and water quality, and to design and apply relevant management methods. The studies are facilitated if the student has basic knowledge of one of the subjects ecology, geology, natural geology, hydrology or soil science.

The programme covers in-depth elements in soil science and applied elements in sustainable soil and water use. Some courses focus on international aspects of soil and water management. The second year includes a placement to give the students experience of the labour market in related organisations, research institutes and companies. The studies conclude with an independent project (degree project), where the student can implement their knowledge, abilities and attitudes on a current issue within the subject area of sustainable soil and water use.

Scientific approach and scientific methods are trained by using SLU research in lectures and supervision. Training of generic competences is integrated in courses and in independent degree projects. Communication skills are trained throughout the programme in dialogue with different audiences. The ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge is trained in complex questions relating to sustainable use of soil and water in projects and exercises in courses and degree projects.

Courses in the programme

Main fields of study

MV=Soil science, MX=Environmental science, BI=Biology, TE=Technique/Technology

Year 1

Soil Water Processes in Agroecosystems 15 cr MV/MX A1N

Environmental Geochemistry 15 cr MV/MX A1N

Soil Biology and Biogeochemical Cycles 15 cr MV/BI A1N

Environmental Assessment 15 cr MV/MX A1N

Year 2

Soils of the World and Sutainable Water and Soil Management 15 cr MV A1N

Safe Nutrient Recycling, 15 cr MX/BI A1N

Land use and Watershed Management to Reduce Eutrophication; 7,5 cr MV/MX A1N

Geographical Information Systems, for Environmental and Natural Science studies, 7,5 cr TE A1N

Sustainable Technologies for Agriculture in low- and medium Income Countries, 7,5 cr TE A1N

Research Internship, 15 cr MV/MX A1F

Master Thesis in Environmental Science, 30 cr MX A2E

Master Thesis in Soil Science, 30 cr MV A2E

The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

For each course, there is a course syllabus providing more detailed course information. Information on when courses are offered is available on the SLU student web.

Other Info

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information on semester dates, examination and credit transfer, see the Regulations for education at Bachelor´s and Master´s level available on the SLU student web.

Possibilities for further studies

Students who complete the programme and are awarded a degree of Master have the option to continue their studies at doctoral level.

Course schedule academic year 23/24


Contact

Programme Directors of Studies - Soil and Water Management/Soil, Water and Environment

Karin Hamnér, researcher

Department of Soil and Environment

Karin.Hamner@slu.se, 018-67 12 36

 

Deputy Programme Directors of Studies

Hanna Friberg, researcher

Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology

hanna.friberg@slu.se, 018-671876, 070-3931106