Master of Science in Physical Land Resources 
This master offers
- Knowledge and skills which enable you to start and build a successfull career as scientist specialised in either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering in a professional way.
- The ability to formulate hypotheses and design experiments to test them, report results and findings to both your peers and to a general public.
- You to learn to think analytically, synthetically, creatively and in a problem solving way
- The ability to work both autonomously and in a team.
- The ability to apply knowledge as required for the overall development policy of your country
- The skills to function in fundamental as well as in applied research at universities, research institutions and (other) government or private institutions and companies.
International Course Programme
This programme is one of the International Course Programmes supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UDC).
Course outline & Programme
Number of ECTS: 120
Duration: 2 years
Campus: Etterbeek
In cooperation with: Universiteit Gent
The Master of Physical Land Resources has two specializations: Soil Science (organized by the Universiteit Gent) and Land Resources Engineering (organized by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel). During your training you acquire a profound knowledge of pedology, soil physics and chemistry, soil mineralogy, soil prospection and classification, statistics and computer science, climatology and meteorology. Depending on the chosen modules you can specialize in the fields of: land evaluation, soil fertility, soil-water management...
Profile: Soil Science
If you graduate in the subject of Soil Science you:
- can deduct information from the characterisation of soil material and its environment about soil forming processes, in particular for tropical (humid and dry) areas and are competent in interpreting the data in relation to the soil and the regolith as part of the ecosystem both in time and space
- can scientifically study the abiotic aspects of soil and water management, and have knowledge of agricultural engineering systems and techniques
- are knowledgeable about soil and methods to evaluate the soil and its components (solid soil parts, soil fluids, soil air) for multiple applications
- have the competence to recognize the impact of technical interventions and measures in the frame of soil and land management both in the short and in the long term, and to understand, assess and interpret it
- have the competence to use modern equipment, informatics and computer technology to inventory soil or land and to model abiotic processes.
Profile: Land Resources Engineering
If you graduate in the subject of Land Resources Engineering you can:
- combine applied scientific knowledge and advanced technical competence in non-agricultural aspects of soil management
- use GIS and earth observation techniques to digitally inventory and process soil data and landscape characteristics
- have acquired the basic knowledge in geo-techniques with special reference to practical applications of soil as building and foundation material, and to the stability of slopes and excavations
- can use field, physical and chemical techniques to study and describe soil and regolith layers
- have knowledge about the interactions between soil and groundwater in relation to environment management and land use
- have insight in the processes which influence soil and landscape stability, and are acquainted with and can design possible measures for management and remediation.
International Course Programme
This programme is one of the International Course Programmes supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR-UDC).
Admission requirements
All necessary information regarding the admission requirements, deadlines and application forms can be found on the web page 'How to enroll as a student'.
Language requirements
In order to be admitted, you need to be proficient in English. The language requirements can be found on the website.
You want to know
- what is (a) soil
- which factors and properties determine the soil suitability to be used for both
agricultural and non-agricultural purposes and how is this established? - how can the soil be improved to suit specific applications?
- how to address problems of degradation and desertification?
- how to manage the land and how to protect it?
- what is the impact of the soil factor in the dynamics of natural ecosystems and how
can this knowledge be applied in the area of nature conservation? - what does the soil teach us about current environmental issues?
- how can the soil and water management be improved in the frame of sustainable
agriculture? - how can we manage our scarce water supplies?
Career opportunities
Employment can be found in the fields of:
- soil management
- environment assessment
- water management, including water supply and control
- stability of taluds and excavations
- use of soil as construction material
- coastal development
- erosion and sediment transport
Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships is offered by VLIR-UDC for participants from developing countries. For details on the application procedure and forms, please consult the VLIR-UOS website.
Our Student Service
Students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are not just mere numbers. A lot of attention goes to making sure that you can study in the best possible situation. There are numerous staff members ready to assist you and give advice on all topics related to student life: practical information, medical assistance and finance, study planning, sports and culture, health, transport, housing and food, etc.
For all kinds of help, advice and support, visit the web pages of ‘Student Facilities’.
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More information
- Check out the website of the Master of Physical Land Resources
- An overview of all Master and Postgraduate programmes taught in English at the VUB can be found in the brochure Student (on top) of the world (970 KB)
- Visit the VLIR-UOS website