On this page you can find an overview of the VLIR-UOS funded International Training Programmes and the International Master Programmes.

The leaflet and poster about the scholarships from VLIR-UOS intake 2011 can be downloaded at the bottom of this page.

Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes) Vrije Universiteit Brussel

This two-year master programme in “Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management” (Oceans & Lakes) addresses students with a background in Sciences. Oceans & Lakes is an inter-university programme organized by the Faculty of Sciences of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Free University of Brussels), Universiteit Antwerpen (UA, Antwerp University) and Universiteit Gent (UGent, Ghent University). It provides students with strong fundamental and applied knowledge and prepares them for an active role in the scientific research and management of marine and lacustrine systems. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach integrating physical, chemical geological, ecological and societal aspects and including nature conservation and sustainable development.

Oceans & Lakes trains students in:
• becoming a multidisciplinary scientist who thinks and works across fields and
disciplines
• playing a key role in high quality scientific marine and lacustrine research
• providing advice in management and an integrated concept and view on marine and lacustrine systems
• becoming critically minded, problem-solving and communicative scientists

The diversity of professional, disciplinary and cultural backgrounds of both students and lecturers ensures that the Oceans & Lakes programme has a truly unique international character.

The course programme consists of 6 parts:
1. Core courses with compulsory courses covering disciplines which are considered as essential knowledge for a marine and lacustrine scientist.
2. In depth-courses such as Marine Biodiversity and Ecology, Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology
3. Broadening courses such as Governance and Policy in Development and Cooperation
4. Supporting courses such as Data and Information Management, Geographic Information System, Applied Statistics 
5. One Major to choose out of 4 specialisations:
1. Biodiversity and ecology
2. Conservation biology ad ecosystem management
3. Environmental impact and remediation
4. Earth science systems
6. The master thesis consists of an individual research project related to ongoing research in one of the associated research groups. Here the student chooses a subject related to your major module.

Oceans & Lakes is open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry and biotechnology, chemistry, geology, geography, geography and geomathics, bio-engineer science or environmental sciences. For other bachelors in science and applied science, equivalency will be evaluated based on scientific competences and skills of the students by the Oceans & Lakes Steering Committee.