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Language skills
required
Programme length
Full time study for two academic years.
Study mode
Face-to-face learning
Application status
International students:
Students with Icelandic or Nordic citizenship:
Overview

  • Are you interested in graduate studies in the earth sciences?
  • Was your undergraduate degree in a subject other than geology or geophysics?
  • Do you want to learn about problems and challenges in the field of earth sciences?
  • Do you have a strong foundation in the physical sciences?

The MS in earth sciences is particularly aimed at students with a background in subjects other than geology or geophysics.

Programme structure

The programme is 120 ECTS and is organised as two years of full-time study.

The programme is made up of:

  • Courses, 60 ECTS
  • Master's thesis, 60 ECTS

Students with no prior knowledge of the earth sciences must take the following foundation courses:

  • JAR101G Earth dynamics
  • JAR202G Earth surface processes
  • JAR211G Mineralogy
  • JAR308G Sedimentology and sedimentary rocks

Courses offered for the MS in earth sciences are the same as those available to other MS students at the Faculty. See the MS programmes in geology and geophysics.

Organisation of teaching

The programme is taught in Icelandic or English. Teaching material and textbooks are in English.

Some thesis projects may require foundational knowledge taught in undergraduate courses. Students should consult the administrative supervisor when deciding which courses to take.

Main objectives

Through courses and research, students will acquire knowledge of a specialised area within the earth sciences.

Students will learn about problems and challenges in light of the most up-to-date information and research in the field.

Other

Completing a Master's degree in earth sciences allows you to apply for doctoral studies.

See all doctoral programmes at the UI School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

  1. BS degree in science other than geology or geophysics with minimum average grade of 7,25 from the University of Iceland (on a scale from 1 to 10) or a comparable degree and average grade from another university. In addition to the BS degree there may be some preliminary courses requirements before starting the actual MS programme.
  2. All international applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to provide results of the TOEFL (79) or IELTS (6.5) tests as evidence of English proficiency.
  3. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of motivation, 1 pages, where they should state the reasons they want to pursue graduate work, their academic goals and a suggestion or outline for a final paper.
  4. Letters of recommendation (2) should be submitted. These should be from faculty members or others who are familiar with your academic work and qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. Please ask your referees to send their letters of recommendation directly to the University of Iceland electronically by e-mail (PDF file as attachment) to transcript@hi.is.

A two-year theoretical and practical programme of studies at level 2.2 in earth sciences in the Faculty of Earth Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences of the University of Iceland. The programme is principally aimed at students with a bachelor’s degree in the physical sciences or engineering that want to transfer to earth sciences in their MS studies. The programme provides 120 ECTS credits and qualifies for the degree of magister scientiarum, MS. The MS thesis is 60 ECTS credits and courses equal 60 ECTS credits. The MS-degree fulfils the formal requirements for access to doctoral studies at level 3.

MS students with limited background in geology or geophysics will have to take undergraduate courses equivalent to at least 22.5 ECTS credits from the undergraduate curriculum of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, to be selected in agreement with the faculty coordinator and supervisor. Previous undergraduate classes within the fields of Earth Sciences may be evaluated against the 22.5 ECTS credits requirement.

The following documents must accompany an application for this programme:
  • CV
  • Statement of purpose
  • Reference 1, Name and email
  • Reference 2, Name and email
  • Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
  • Proof of English proficiency

Further information on supporting documents can be found here

Programme structure

Check below to see how the programme is structured.

This programme does not offer specialisations.

Year unspecified | Fall
Final project (JVI401L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
0 ECTS, credits
Course Description
  • The topic of the Master's thesis must be chosen under the guidance of the supervisor and the Faculty Coordinator of the student. The supervisor of the thesis project can be a researcher outside the University of Iceland. The thesis represents 60 credits. All Master's student have been assigned to a Faculty Coordinator from the beginning of their studies, who advises the student regarding the organization of the program. If a student does not have a supervisor for the final project, he / she must turn to the Faculty Coordinator for assistance.
  • The choice of topic is primarily the responsibility of the student in collaboration with his or her project supervisor. The topic of the project should fall within the student's area of study, i.e. course of study and chosen specialisation.
  • Final project exam is divided into two parts: Oral examination and open lecture
  • Present at the oral exam is the student, supervisor, examiner and members of the Master's committee. The student presents a brief introduction on his / her project. It is important that the objectives and research question(s) are clearly stated, and that main findings and lessons to be drawn from the project are discussed.
  • According to the rules of the Master's program, all students who intend to graduate from the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences need to give a public lecture on their final project. There are three Master's Days at the school per year or for each graduation where the students present their projects with an open lecture.
  • All students graduating from the University of Iceland shall submit an electronic copy of their final Master's thesis to Skemman.is. Skemman is the digital repository for all Icelandic universities and is maintained by the National and University Library.
  • According to regulations of University of Iceland all MS thesis should have open access after they have been submitted to Skemman.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified | Fall
Thesis skills: project management, writing skills and presentation (VON001F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
4 ECTS, credits
Course Description

Introduction to the scientific method. Ethics of science and within the university community.
The role of the student, advisors and external examiner. Effective and honest communications.
Conducting a literature review, using bibliographic databases and reference handling. Thesis structure, formulating research questions, writing and argumentation. How scientific writing differs from general purpose writing. Writing a MS study plan and proposal. Practical skills for presenting tables and figures, layout, fonts and colors. Presentation skills. Project management for a thesis, how to divide a large project into smaller tasks, setting a work plan and following a timeline. Life after graduate school and being employable.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Online learning
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Final project (JVI401L)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
0 ECTS, credits
Course Description
  • The topic of the Master's thesis must be chosen under the guidance of the supervisor and the Faculty Coordinator of the student. The supervisor of the thesis project can be a researcher outside the University of Iceland. The thesis represents 60 credits. All Master's student have been assigned to a Faculty Coordinator from the beginning of their studies, who advises the student regarding the organization of the program. If a student does not have a supervisor for the final project, he / she must turn to the Faculty Coordinator for assistance.
  • The choice of topic is primarily the responsibility of the student in collaboration with his or her project supervisor. The topic of the project should fall within the student's area of study, i.e. course of study and chosen specialisation.
  • Final project exam is divided into two parts: Oral examination and open lecture
  • Present at the oral exam is the student, supervisor, examiner and members of the Master's committee. The student presents a brief introduction on his / her project. It is important that the objectives and research question(s) are clearly stated, and that main findings and lessons to be drawn from the project are discussed.
  • According to the rules of the Master's program, all students who intend to graduate from the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences need to give a public lecture on their final project. There are three Master's Days at the school per year or for each graduation where the students present their projects with an open lecture.
  • All students graduating from the University of Iceland shall submit an electronic copy of their final Master's thesis to Skemman.is. Skemman is the digital repository for all Icelandic universities and is maintained by the National and University Library.
  • According to regulations of University of Iceland all MS thesis should have open access after they have been submitted to Skemman.
Language of instruction: Icelandic
Self-study
Part of the total project/thesis credits
Year unspecified | Spring 1
Presentation skills in earth sciences (JAR242F)
A mandatory (required) course for the programme
3,5 ECTS, credits
Course Description

A weekly seminar held during both terms.  Relevant topics in earth science are explored through lectures and the reading of papers by participants. Each student is expected to give one talk per term.

Language of instruction: English
Face-to-face learning
Attendance required in class
Course taught first half of the semester
Year unspecified
  • Fall
  • JVI401L
    Final project
    Mandatory (required) course
    0
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    0 ECTS, credits
    Course Description
    • The topic of the Master's thesis must be chosen under the guidance of the supervisor and the Faculty Coordinator of the student. The supervisor of the thesis project can be a researcher outside the University of Iceland. The thesis represents 60 credits. All Master's student have been assigned to a Faculty Coordinator from the beginning of their studies, who advises the student regarding the organization of the program. If a student does not have a supervisor for the final project, he / she must turn to the Faculty Coordinator for assistance.
    • The choice of topic is primarily the responsibility of the student in collaboration with his or her project supervisor. The topic of the project should fall within the student's area of study, i.e. course of study and chosen specialisation.
    • Final project exam is divided into two parts: Oral examination and open lecture
    • Present at the oral exam is the student, supervisor, examiner and members of the Master's committee. The student presents a brief introduction on his / her project. It is important that the objectives and research question(s) are clearly stated, and that main findings and lessons to be drawn from the project are discussed.
    • According to the rules of the Master's program, all students who intend to graduate from the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences need to give a public lecture on their final project. There are three Master's Days at the school per year or for each graduation where the students present their projects with an open lecture.
    • All students graduating from the University of Iceland shall submit an electronic copy of their final Master's thesis to Skemman.is. Skemman is the digital repository for all Icelandic universities and is maintained by the National and University Library.
    • According to regulations of University of Iceland all MS thesis should have open access after they have been submitted to Skemman.
    Self-study
    Prerequisites
    Part of the total project/thesis credits
  • VON001F
    Thesis skills: project management, writing skills and presentation
    Mandatory (required) course
    4
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    4 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    Introduction to the scientific method. Ethics of science and within the university community.
    The role of the student, advisors and external examiner. Effective and honest communications.
    Conducting a literature review, using bibliographic databases and reference handling. Thesis structure, formulating research questions, writing and argumentation. How scientific writing differs from general purpose writing. Writing a MS study plan and proposal. Practical skills for presenting tables and figures, layout, fonts and colors. Presentation skills. Project management for a thesis, how to divide a large project into smaller tasks, setting a work plan and following a timeline. Life after graduate school and being employable.

    Face-to-face learning
    Online learning
    Prerequisites
  • Spring 2
  • JVI401L
    Final project
    Mandatory (required) course
    0
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    0 ECTS, credits
    Course Description
    • The topic of the Master's thesis must be chosen under the guidance of the supervisor and the Faculty Coordinator of the student. The supervisor of the thesis project can be a researcher outside the University of Iceland. The thesis represents 60 credits. All Master's student have been assigned to a Faculty Coordinator from the beginning of their studies, who advises the student regarding the organization of the program. If a student does not have a supervisor for the final project, he / she must turn to the Faculty Coordinator for assistance.
    • The choice of topic is primarily the responsibility of the student in collaboration with his or her project supervisor. The topic of the project should fall within the student's area of study, i.e. course of study and chosen specialisation.
    • Final project exam is divided into two parts: Oral examination and open lecture
    • Present at the oral exam is the student, supervisor, examiner and members of the Master's committee. The student presents a brief introduction on his / her project. It is important that the objectives and research question(s) are clearly stated, and that main findings and lessons to be drawn from the project are discussed.
    • According to the rules of the Master's program, all students who intend to graduate from the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences need to give a public lecture on their final project. There are three Master's Days at the school per year or for each graduation where the students present their projects with an open lecture.
    • All students graduating from the University of Iceland shall submit an electronic copy of their final Master's thesis to Skemman.is. Skemman is the digital repository for all Icelandic universities and is maintained by the National and University Library.
    • According to regulations of University of Iceland all MS thesis should have open access after they have been submitted to Skemman.
    Self-study
    Prerequisites
    Part of the total project/thesis credits
  • JAR242F
    Presentation skills in earth sciences
    Mandatory (required) course
    3,5
    A mandatory (required) course for the programme
    3,5 ECTS, credits
    Course Description

    A weekly seminar held during both terms.  Relevant topics in earth science are explored through lectures and the reading of papers by participants. Each student is expected to give one talk per term.

    Face-to-face learning
    Prerequisites
    Attendance required in class
    Course taught first half of the semester
Additional information

The University of Iceland collaborates with over 400 universities worldwide. This provides a unique opportunity to pursue part of your studies at an international university thus gaining added experience and fresh insight into your field of study.

Students generally have the opportunity to join an exchange programme, internship, or summer courses. However, exchanges are always subject to faculty approval.

Students have the opportunity to have courses evaluated as part of their studies at the University of Iceland, so their stay does not have to affect the duration of their studies.

Earth scientists can apply their knowledge to various challenges, such as:

  • Locating sources of water for human use
  • Harnessing geothermal energy
  • Power generation
  • Environmental issues and monitoring
  • Planning civil engineering projects
  • Natural hazards and civil protection
  • Locating building materials
  • Locating metals
  • Identifying new solutions to environmental issues
  • Monitoring seismic activity
  • Ocean floor research
  • Upper secondary school teaching

This list is not exhaustive.

A knowledge of earth sciences is a valuable asset in many fields and professions and earth scientists are in great demand on the labour market.

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