NEW WAVES IN PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES

Entry Requirements
Sources of funding and costs
Master of Science programme
The Master of Science programme is open to
holders of a degree in exact or applied sciences
equivalent to at least 3 years of university studies
with good overall scores (e.g. B.Sc. in agriculture,
biology, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental
sciences, geography, geology). Holders of an M.Sc.
degree in the field of Soil Science or Land Resources
Engineering can be granted admission for a
shortened study programme. Precise conditions are
formulated on a case to case basis.
The lectures are given in English and participants will
need to have a good working knowledge of this
language. The application form for admission has to
be duly completed and returned to the Programme
Secretariat prior to February, enclosing the following
documents (see application form for all detailed
requirements) :
A copy and English or French translation of
the required university degree and a
transcript of the academic records legalized
by the Belgian Embassy.
Proof or proficiency in English (for detailed
requirements – see website PLR :
http://www.plr.ugent.be).
Applicants without a scholarship should provide a
document proving that they can cover their living
and study costs in Belgium. This document has to be
signed by the Belgian Embassy or Consulate of the
applicants’ country who can verify the applicants’
solvency.
Candidates from developing countries can apply for
scholarships made available by :
The Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR),
Secretariat for Development Co-operation,
Bolwerksquare 1A, B-1050 Brussel, Belgium.
Internet : http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be
International Organisations such as IBRD, FAO,
NATO, UNDP, UNESCO, WHO, WB, ADB, …
The European Commission Development Fund
for countries who signed the Convention of
Lomé.
The registration fee for a full academic year is about
580 € (reduced tariffs for certain developing
countries). Annual living costs (including board and
lodging, study material, medical insurance) are
about 13,000 €. In addition, travel funds have to be
provided for. More information and the application
forms may be obtained from local representatives of
the above mentioned organisations. Students can
also apply for a scholarship at the Ministry of the
Flemish Community, Department of International
Cooperation, through any Belgian Embassy or
Consulate.
ENQUIRIES
Application forms and any further information required may be
obtained from :
Programme Secretariat Physical Land Resources
Ghent University
Krijgslaan 281/S8
B-9000 Gent, Belgium
Tel. : +32-9/264.46.38 – Fax : +32-9/264.49.91
E-mail: PLRprog.adm@UGent.be
Website : http://www.plr.ugent.be
Physical
Land
Resour ces
INTERNATIONAL INTERUNIVERSITY
MASTER IN PHYSICAL LAND RESOURCES
PROGRAMME
organized jointly by
Ghent University
(Faculty of Sciences and Faculty
of Bioscience Engineering)
and
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
(Faculty of Engineering)
under the auspices of the
Flemish Interuniversity Council
(VLIR)
BELGIUM

History and scope of the programme
The programme in Physical Land Resources has its
roots in the former M.Sc. programmes in Soil
Science, organised by the International Training
Centre for Post-Graduate Soil Scientists (ITC-Ghent),
and Eremology, organised by the International
Centre for Eremology (ICE), both at the Ghent
University.
The ITC-Ghent has a long-standing reputation in the
academic formation and training in soil science, soil
survey and agricultural applications. Founded in
1963, with support of UNESCO, the Institute has
trained over 800 students from about 90 different
nations from all over the globe.
The ICE was founded in 1989, as a special branch of
science, devoted to the study of drylands and
combating desertification. Students from 30
different countries graduated from the Centre.
For the new programme in Physical Land Resources,
started in 1997, an appeal was made to the Faculty
of Applied Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel,
to co-operate and to widen the scope of the course
with an option focusing on the non-agricultural use
and applications of physical land resources.
Study programme
The Master of Science degree programme in Physical Land Resources is a two year, full time course. The 1st year, organized at Ghent
University, provides a fundamental basis in physical land resources, with a main subject in either Soil Science or Land Resources Engineering.
The 2nd year offers specialised courses in one of the two main subjects. The students have to prepare a Master dissertation. Successful
completion of the programme leads to the award of a Master degree in Physical Land Resources. The course curriculum of the main subject
in Soil Science is organised at the Ghent University, whereas all courses of the main subject in Land Resources Engineering are organised at
the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The academic year starts the last week of September. There are two examination periods, in January and June
respectively. For students who fail there is a re-examination session in August/September.
GENERAL COURSES
First year (60 credits)
Pedology (1 st and 2 nd semester)
Applied Statistics (1 st semester)
Meteorology and Climatology (2 nd semester)
Soil Chemistry (1 st semester)
Soil Physics (1 st semester)
Soil Mineralogy (1 st semester)
Land Information Systems (2 nd semester)
Soil Prospection and Classification (2 nd semester)
Scientific Communication on Physical Land Resources (2 nd
semester)
MAIN OPTION COURSES
1. Option Soil Science
Geomorphology (1 st semester)
Plant-Water Relations in the Soil-Plant Atmosphere
Continuum (2 nd semester)
Soil Genesis (2 nd semester)
2. Option Land Resources Engineering
Groundwater Hydrology (1st semester)
Engineering with Geomaterials (1st semester)
Applied Geophysics (2nd semester)
ECTS
credits
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
4
5
Second year (60 credits)
1. Option Soil Science (Ghent University)
1 st SEMESTER : ELECTIVE COURSES (min. 30 credits)
Soil Fertility
Soil Degradation
Land Evaluation
Soil Water Management
Remote Sensing
Properties and Management of Soils of the Tropics
Quality of groundwater Resources
Irrigation and Drainage
Soil Erosion Processes and Control
Internship
One course can be selected from another Master programme
at Ghent University, 2 courses can be selected from the option
Land Resources Engineering (VUB)
2 nd SEMESTER : MASTER DISSERTATION
2. Option Land Resources Engineering (Vrije Universiteit
Brussel)
1 st SEMESTER : ELECTIVE COURSES (min. 30 credits)
Applied Geomorphology
Geomechanics
Geological and Geotechnical Aspects in Coastal Lowlands
Groundwater modelling
Engineering Rock Mechanics
GIS for Water Resources Engineering
Remote Sensing in Water Resources Engineering
Natural Hazards
Natural Risk Management
Internship
2 courses can be selected from the option Soil Science (Ghent
University). One course can be selected from another Master
programme at VUB
ECTS
credits
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
30
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
5
2 nd SEMESTER MASTER DISSERTATION
30