The M.Sc. programme in Geological Sciences includes the study of processes that shape our planet, from the effects of plate tectonics on mountain building and basin development, to understanding causes behind volcanism and earthquakes. You will study the processes that control Earth’s climate system at timescales of anthropogenic relevance to timescales of hundreds to millions of years. Our education program builds on our research strengths in marine geology and geophysics, petrology and tectonics, and biogeochemistry. In marine geology we focus on the study of the physical, chemical and biological properties of sediments and sedimentary rocks to determine the processes that contributed to their formation and to reconstruct Earth’s environmental and climatic development. Marine geophysical methods for digital mapping of the sea floor form an important part of our education at SU. In petrology and tectonics we study rock deformation, tectonics and magmatism, together with fluid flow and chemical transport. Within biogeochemistry we focus on studying the chemical element distribution and biogeochemical processes that take place in all of Earth’s environments (water, air, rock, and soil). Our studies range from current environmental questions to the conditions for life during the evolution of our planet.
Master’s degree courses
The Department of Geological Sciences offers a Master’s degree that comprises two years of study. The Master’s programme has three specializations: Geology, geochemistry, and marine geology.
• Specialization Geochemistry
• Specialization Geology
• Specialization Marine Geology
Each specialization includes 22.5 credit points of compulsory courses, 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 7.5, 22.5, or 37.5 credit points. The obligatory preparatory course in all specializations is the course The Geoscientific Method (7.5 credit points), which is complemented by two additional compulsory courses in each specialization. For the specialization geology these courses are Field studies in the Geological Sciences, Geodynamics and/or Ore Geology. In geochemistry, the course are Isotope Geology and Applied Environmental Geochemistry. In the specialization marine geology, the compulsory courses are Marine Geotechnics and Palaeoclimatology. The programme offers a set of additional elective courses in Terrestrial Geophysics, Palaeontology, Current Research and Planning, and Applied Geology that can be taken in the first or second year. 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.
General and specific admission requirements
Admission to the program requires knowledge equivalent to a bachelor's degree, with at least 90 credits in geology or earth science, environmental science, or oceanography. English 6 or equivalent.
For more information please contact Volker Brüchert, the Director of Studies for the MSc students
