Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis

This programme about aquatic ecosystems focuses on system wide effects of acutalities such as climate change, dealing with stakeholders in nature development projects and on aspects of the monitoring
The programme (open to both Dutch and foreign students) aims at a wide range of future careers in the main themes of aquatic ecology, water systems, and area conservation. To ensure that students are well prepared for the professional practice the programme takes the challenges into account that a present day water professional has to deal with. For example by considering the effects climate change has on water systems. And by considering the monitoring cycle for water quality including its EU regulation in the Water Framework Directive. Its strength lies in looking at all aspects of the water system: both biotic and abiotic elements in the water system are explored on different spatial and temporal scales. In the first semester two parallel minors are taught. One minor focuses on biotic, smaller scale aquatic ecology. The second minor is rather abiotic and focuses at larger scales. Each minor includes a professional task, the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills and field visits. The practical application of all expertise comes in the shape of a multidisciplinary project abroad in the second semester, solving a water-quality problem.