Universiteit Leiden

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Industrial Ecology (MSc)

About the programme

The two-year programme consists of 120 European Credit Transfer System points (EC) and includes core courses (30 EC), two Industrial Ecology Projects (20 EC), specialization courses (35 EC) and the Thesis Research Project (35 EC).

Programme overview

During the first semester of the first year you will gain a broad understanding of Industrial Ecology by acquiring thorough knowledge and skills needed for the analysis of sustainability problems, and the design and implementation of solutions. In the second semester you will focus on the integration and application of the knowledge and skills gained in the first semester by doing a project on an urban or industry system. In addition, you will follow specialization courses.
The second year is aimed at further integration and application, in the form of a second project course (working for an external commissioner), specialization courses and your thesis research project.

What can a master thesis of Industrial Ecology look like?

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Educational methods

  • ​​​​​​Lectures and seminars
  • Group projects and assignments
  • Individual papers
  • Exams
  • Presentations
  • Practical hands-on work
  • Flipped classroom

Study guidance

You will be guided through your study programme by the study advisors of Industrial Ecology. You can discuss your study plans with them and other study related questions/issues. The study advisors will monitor the study progress of all students and contact those who have study delay. In addition, you will have a mentor (a second year IE student) who can help you with all kinds of questions. Lastly, all the teachers within the programme are researchers and are always open for discussing possible thesis research topics.