MSc in Energy and Environmental Sciences

What are the causes of the various large-scale global environmental issues like climate change? Can we identify options to solve these issues? Are options different in different countries?

The global challenges with respect to the environment and sustainability are huge and can only be addressed in an interdisciplinary approach. Since it is impossible to address all these issues equally in a Master's degree program, specialization is essential. The Energy and Environmental Sciences (EES) program specializes in energy and is treating it from a natural science perspective. However, it trains the students that the natural sciences/technical approach to and solution of problems is only a part of the story, and collaboration with other scientific disciplines is vital.

As the program has a strong focus on the natural sciences; a bachelor’s degree in one of the natural sciences or related engineering studies is an entry requirement. The exact background, however, can be very different, both in the discipline (e.g. Marine Biology, Engineering, Nuclear Physics, Astronomy, etc.) and nationality and culture (60% from abroad, over 10 nationalities is no exception). This educational and cultural mixture provides a very interesting and challenging learning environment, in which you can benefit and learn from each other’s knowledge and background and get used to working in interdisciplinary/intercultural groups. Together, you (learn to) develop strategies to deal with the current issues in the field of EES.

Lecturers of the program are staff members of the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). Research groups within this institute are Centre for Isotope Research (CIO), Geo Energy, Integrated Research on Energy, Environment and Society (IREES), Energy Conversion (EC), and Ocean Ecosystems (OE). Research within this institute covers a wide range of topics, from isotopes research to social acceptance of windmills, and staff members have a background in various natural science disciplines. You can conduct your master’s research project in one of the research groups of ESRIG, this means that an enormous variety of subjects is available and it rather likely that one of them fits you.

Around their graduation, our students find jobs that suit their education and fit their interests. Universities (PhDs), energy companies, environmental consultancies, environmental NGOs, industry, and government are typical first employers. These employers mention that the combination of strong natural science fundaments and the ability to work in an international/interdisciplinary context provides our students extreme value.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• Energy is one of the main societal themes of this university
• Located in the modern Energy Academy Building
• Excellent career prospects in and outside academics
• Strong focus on working in interdisciplinary/intercultural teams
• Tailor-made study programs fitting students interest
• Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa

Research

Interdisciplinary and Experimental Research programs.

The Master's degree program is connected to the Energy and Sustainability Research Institute Groningen (ESRIG). The mission of ESRIG is to contribute to a world-wide energy supply for the next century, for more people in a sustainable way, by:

• Research: fundamental, applied, and "contemplative"
• Education: B.Sc, M.Sc, and PhD

The main themes of research are Energy supply and conversion, and Transition towards Sustainability. ESRIG participates in the Energy Academy Europe (international center of excellence).

Research subjects include:

• Renewable energy systems
• 2nd and 3rd generation bio-fuels, land and ocean-based
• Energy scenario’s and models
• Carbon capture and storage
• Air pollution modeling
• Greenhouse gas cycles and fossil fuel verification