In this Master¡¯s, fieldwork is essential. The programme involves a lot of fieldwork where you test different methods of measuring things like the extent and rate at which soil can absorb water and chemicals, how deep the groundwater table is, and the speed at which it can release water. You will follow up on your fieldwork in the lab, and you will learn about groundwater modelling and how to use a computer programme to describe groundwater flows. You will do project work in groups, focusing on real-life issues related to current societal and environmental challenges. You will gain knowledge about lakes, streams, freshwater ecology and coastal marine aquatic environments, as well as a keen understanding of food chains, nutrient cycles, ecosystems and pollution. In addition, you will work with aquatic environments in a context of recreation and swimming.

With a Master's in Geography, you will have strong analytical skills and a broad understanding of the interaction between society, people and the environment. You can work with complex geographical issues and analyse data, both quantitatively and qualitatively, in relation to climate, urbanisation, mobility, energy supply and the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). You will learn how to translate your knowledge into concrete solutions in practice and collaborate with different professions and stakeholders. This will enable you to contribute to sustainable development, planning and decision-making processes in both public and private organisations, or planning and conducting scientific studies.

With a Master¡¯s in Geography, you have many opportunities for employment ¨C both in the public and private sectors. You can work in urban and regional planning, environmental management, climate adaptation, transport or data analysis. Many graduates find jobs in municipalities, regions, ministries or agencies, while others work in consultancies, NGOs or international organisations. With your geographical skills, you can become a planner, consultant, GIS specialist or project manager ¨C and address some of society's biggest challenges in your work. Geography graduates often also choose to pursue a PhD after their Master's.

You will get to go out in the field where you will try various methods for measuring how much and how fast the soil can absorb water and chemicals, and how deep the groundwater runs and how quickly it can desorb water. You will follow up on these measurements with testing in the laboratory where you have soil from the field trip and you will measure how fast water and chemicals are transported and spread in the various soil types.

You will also learn about groundwater modelling and how you use a computer programme to describe the groundwater flows with numerical equations, which you can then use to create a model that simulates the transportation processes and any breakdown of pollutants.

You will write a project about soil and groundwater on a broader scale.  

Description of courses
Read the description for the respective courses for the semester in the most recent version of the curriculum for Geography, see under the article Overview of the programme. 

The 2nd semester will present you to lakes and streams, and you will gain knowledge about fresh water ecology and fresh water eco systems.

For this purpose, you will also learn about the coastal marine aquatic environment and how natural and human made pollutants affect this environment.

You will understand food chains, nutrient circulation, eco systems and pollution, and will work with aquatic environments in relation to recreational purposes and swimming (how to ensure good water quality ¨C faecal bacteria and pathogens.

Description of courses
Read the description for the respective courses for the semester in the most recent version of the curriculum for Geography, see under the article Overview of the programme. 

During your last year of the Master¡¯s programme, you will have different options of how you want to construct your last two semesters.  

1st option:

• 3rd semester: take a semester at a foreign university, or choose internship abroad.
• 4th semester: write your Master¡¯s thesis.

2nd option:

• 3rd semester: take an traineeship at a company or public institution. During the traineeship, you will gain practical experience with how geographers can work with other disciplines in relation to relevant challenges.
• 4th semester: write your Master¡¯s thesis.

3rd option:

• 3rd semester: take courses and write a project.
• 4th semester: write Master¡¯s thesis.

4th option:

• 3rd semester: take courses and start your Master¡¯s thesis.
• 4th semester: continue with writing your Master¡¯s thesis.

5th option:

• 3rd and 4th semester: writing your Master¡¯s thesis, using both semesters.

Description of courses
Read the description for the respective courses for the semester in the most recent version of the curriculum for Geography, see under the article Overview of the programme. 

For more detailed description of the courses on each semester, please see the current curriculum for Geography (under the article Overview of the programme). 

During your third semester, you have the possibility to do an internship at a private or public company/organization abroad or in Denmark.

Many students use this possibility to improve their competencies by learning things in a new way, looking at different engineering aspects etc. An internship is usually taken within a consultative engineering company.

You can choose to study for a semester at another educational institution abroad or in Denmark.

During a study in another country, you will experience a different culture and way of life, which will develop your personal and professional skills and provide you with a network you can use in your future career.

Graduates from Physical Geography have many possible career opportunities and have well-developed skills in cross disciplinary project work.

Examples of working areas:

• Environmental assessment consultants
• Natural resource administration in public organisations
• Implementation of environmental standards and administration of protected nature and aquatic resources
• PhD studies in Physical Geography and Environmental studies

AAU Career helps you on your way from student life to job life in Denmark by giving you the tools to examine your options and find out what to do.

While studying at AAU, you can participate in career and job-related events, find help on our website, and book a personal career counselling session to talk about e.g.:

• Finding your way in your career
• Danish working culture
• Application and CV the Danish way
• What you can offer an employer
• How to go about job search in Denmark ¨C both student job, internship and full-time job

Read more about AAU Career here.

If you need guidance on the content and workload of the study, admission, study environment or know more about what it is like to study at Aalborg University, you can contact your student counsellor. The student counsellor is a student themselves and under an obligation to maintain confidentiality.?

Student guidance
Department of the Built Environment
Thomas Manns Vej 23
9220 Aalborg ?

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E-mail: studievejledning@build.aau.dk?
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Do you have questions regarding the composition of your education, admission, study changes, examination rules, credit, exemptions, etc. you can contact the Study Board.?

Study Board of the Built Environment
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9220 Aalborg East
E-mail: inst.build.sdnvn@build.aau.dk?

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