The first year of the MSc Applied Earth Sciences starts with the faculty module on Modelling, Uncertainty and Data for Engineers (MUDE). This module takes place in Q1 and Q2 and is shared with Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering master students.

In a typical week you will be introduced to new theory, practice it on your own through a series of exercises and work on real data sets and models together with teachers and classmates in a medium-sized classroom setting. At the end of each week you will apply these concepts in a project along with a group of fellow students. You will also have weekly coding assignments to build your programming skills in a way that will help you apply the methods learned in MUDE, as well as prepare you for your future MSc thesis work.

More information can be found in the TU Delft Study Guide.

The programme core serves as a foundation for the discipline-related modules. During the programme core, you will follow 3 modules:

• Earth System, Natural Resources and Climate: you will learn how processes in all components of the Earth system interact, how this interaction influences our climate, including the global carbon and water cycle, and what are the available natural resources below the surface and above the surface in our past, current and future climate.
• Physical Principles of Earth System Observation: you will learn about the physics of measurements of the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and subsurface. This will provide you with the knowledge needed to understand and interpret measurements and to choose an approach for the observation and measurement of geophysical processes.
• Dynamics of Solids and Fluids: this modules will provide you with a solid understanding of basic concepts and mathematical solutions of fluid and solid dynamics that apply to flows and structures in the Earth system - in the atmosphere, ocean and Earth’s subsurface.

Upon starting your second semester (Q3) you choose your discipline, start the discipline core module, and select an A-module.  The A-module allows you to further explore your own interest: you can go deeper into discipline related topics or you can choose complementary courses from another related discipline.

The first year finishes with B-modules. The B-modules consist of theory units linked to a lab project: you will work with other classmates in small groups on a self-chosen topic within the context of a societal challenge, applying discipline related theory to a specific case. You then cap it all off with related field work, either in the Netherlands or abroad.

The second year of the programme is strongly interdisciplinary. You have the opportunity to complete elective courses or a project, allowing you to fine-tune your interest and expertise, and/or gain hands on experience. The choice is yours. You chose from one of these three possibilities:

• Electives, either within discipline (in-depth) or outside. More information about the electives you can take can be found in the Study Guide
• The Joint Interdisciplinary Project (JIP)
• The faculty-wide Multidisciplinary Project (MDP)

During Q6, you follow cross-over modules, 10 credit modules offered to master students of Civil Engineering, Applied Earth Sciences, and Environmental Engineering. In general, these modules may be of two kinds: a) methodological, which are oriented around common techniques and methods or b) topical, that are oriented around common topics of interest. Download the Cross-Over Brochure here to learn more. More in-depth information about each cross-over can also be found here.

Before starting your final semester (Q7 & Q8), you prepare for your thesis. In the Thesis Preparation module you will write your thesis proposal and you will learn how to organize a research project. For your final thesis, you work on a research project of your choice with either a company or within academia.