Master's programme in geochemistry
Photo: Wei-Li Hong
Geochemical analysis of rocks and ores play a central role in raw material extraction for the exploitation of critical metals needed in the green energy transition for the use and storage of renewable energy and in climate science research. Geochemical analysis of groundwater, lakes, rivers, and the sea is critical in environmental management to assure good water quality and the preservation of critical ecosystem functions.
This program aims at students that want to obtain practical and interpretive geochemical skills that are broadly needed in the public administrative and private consulting sector and in geoscientific research. The set of courses within the program will deepen geoscientific instrumental analytical competence of organic and inorganic natural components and isotopes. The program will also develop practical and theoretical knowledge on analytical developments and challenges in the field of geochemistry. Geochemical modelling will be taught to handle naturally occurring reaction-transport scenarios such as subsurface water transport, biogeochemical reaction networks, catchment-scale geochemical mass balance for elements and their isotopes.
This program is for students with a candidate or bachelor degree in either geosciences, environmental, or marine sciences with an interest in quantitative data analysis using field and laboratory chemical instrumentation and/or data modelling. Your studies will involve a series of practical and theoretical courses offering you extensive field and laboratory components to provide you hands-on experience providing with the technical and theoretical skills required of a modern geochemist. A master thesis of will give you the opportunity to further pursue a research question further. The program involves both land- and sea-based studies taking advantage of the infrastructure of the marine laboratory of Stockholm University.
The Department of Geological Sciences offers a Master’s degree in geochemistry that comprises two years of study. The Master’s programme includes 45 credit points of compulsory courses and an independent project that comprises 30, 45, or 60 credit points, 30 credits of optional courses, and depending on the credits for the independent project, elective courses comprising 15 credit points. The compulsory courses are:
- Geochemical Field Sampling
- Analysis and Data Evaluation
- Isotope Geochemistry
- Geochemical Modelling
- Marine Geochemistry
- Biogeochemistry or
- Organic Geochemistry
- and Applied Environmental Geochemistry.
The programme offers a set of additional elective courses that can be taken in the first or second year:
- Geomicrobiology and Minerals
- Ocean and Climate Dynamics over Geological Timescales
- Palaeoclimatology
- Geodynamics
- Ore Geology
- Geological Mapping
- Terrestrial Geophysics
- Palaeontology.
We also offer the distance course (15 hp):
- Climate Change Through Earth's History.
A total of 30 optional credit points can be obtained through reading courses given by other programmes, by other departments at Stockholm University, by other universities in Sweden, or abroad.
Please contact us for more information and for advice on the choice of courses in Sweden and abroad. We are happy to help you find the most appropriate courses at other institutions or universities. Optional courses are chosen together with the study director of the Master’s programme.
Year 1
Compulsory courses 45 credits:
Geochemical Field Sampling, Analysis, and Data Evaluation* (7.5 credits) Autumn term
Isotope Geochemistry (7.5 credits) Autumn term
Geochemical Modelling (7.5 credit) Autumn term
Marine Geochemistry (7.5 credits) Autumn term
Biogeochemistry (7.5 credits) Spring term
Applied Environmental Geochemistry (7.5 credits) Spring term
There is room for elective courses or traineeship in geological sciences of 15 credit points depending on the credit points for the independent project.
Elective courses comprise 30 credit at the maximum.
Year 2
Geochemistry independent project 30, 45 or 60 credits*
**There is room for elective courses or traineeship in Geological Science up to 15 credit points depending on the credit points of the independent project.
Elective courses comprise 30 credit at the maximum.
* Compulsory courses
** List of optional courses
Geodynamics (7.5 credit points)
Geological Mapping (7.5 credit points) Spring term
Geomicrobiology and Mineral (7.5 credit points) Spring term
Ocean-climate interaction through geologic time (7.5 credit points) Spring term
Ore Geology (7.5 credit points) Fall term
Paleoclimatology (7.5 credit points) Spring term
Palaeontology (7.5 credit points) Fall term
Terrestrial Geophysics (7.5 credit points) Spring term
The Geoscientific Method (7.5 credit points) Spring term
Geochemists are broadly trained earth scientists with advanced expertise in analytical chemistry and in the processing and interpretation of chemical data from rock, soil, and water – including marine environments. This gives geochemists a wide range of career opportunities in both the private and the public sector, with strong job prospects both in Sweden and internationally.
Geochemistry provides in-demand technical expertise for roles in the environmental consulting sector, where technical and analytical skills are required for both field and laboratory work, as well as for digital data analysis. Geochemical expertise is also highly sought after in the mining, energy, and exploration industries, where skills are needed for the extraction of mineral and fossil energy resources. Municipalities, county administrative boards, and other government agencies – such as the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) – require geochemical expertise for water and land management, as well as for the development of databases and resource analyses related to minerals, water, and fossil fuels.
Geochemical knowledge is central to addressing global challenges related to climate change, including the mapping and exploration of critical metals, the safe long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel, the monitoring and mapping of drinking water resources, and ensuring drinking water quality.
Student counsellor
elisabeth.dacker@geo.su.se
Director of studies for master program
Volker Brüchert (Associate professor of Biogeochemistry)
volker.bruchert@geo.su.se
08-16 47 55
