Universität Fribourg Course offerings

Profile of the study programme

The Unit of Geography – part of the University of Fribourg Department of Geosciences – offers a specialised Master's degree in Dynamics in Glaciology and Geomorphology. The degree focuses on current environmental research problems within regions of high altitude and latitude and is aimed at students from backgrounds other than geography. The course focuses on understanding and analysing physical processes within the cryosphere and in the fields of mountain geomorphology, natural hazards and land-atmosphere interactions. The programme deals with the various aspects of climate change and involves state-of-the-art geoscientific measurement, modelling and data analysis techniques.

Students first learn the necessary background in cryosphere and high-mountain geomorphological processes. Modules on theoretical and methodological approaches provide the foundations to independently assessing geoscientific and environmental issues. Amongst others, these modules include numerical modelling, GIS-based analysis, remote sensing, geophysical and geodetic measurement techniques, analysis of climatological time series and geomorphological field techniques.

Our specialised Master's degree aims at deepening knowledge and to perfect competences in the chosen cryospheric or geomorphological field. At the end of the programme, students will have demonstrated proficiency both in working in an interdisciplinary research team and in applying their knowledge independently during a research project of their own. The award of the degree requires creativity and reflexivity, as well as the ability to communicate ideas and work both in English and in the student's native language.

Integrative, interdisciplinary geography
The diverse research interests of around 30 researchers at the Unit of Geography make the specialised Master's course in Dynamics in Glaciology and Geomorphology truly integrative and interdisciplinary. Apart from the focus on topics in cryosphere, glaciology or alpine geomorphology, we also offer integrative training with the neighbouring disciplines of the Department, i.e. Human Geography, Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences. During their Master's studies in Fribourg – and especially while working on their Master's thesis – students are part of research teams and can participate in on-going national and international research projects. The human dimensions of our diverse Department and the drive of the various research groups provide a supportive, quality environment for all students.

Structure of classes and lectures
All teaching is in English. The teaching is structured into four modules and is delivered through a combination of lectures, hands-on methodological courses, seminars, excursions and colloquiums. A field trip is organised abroad in one of the teams' research regions every other year (Morocco in 2009, Namibia in 2011, Central Asia in 2013, Kyrgyzstan in 2017, Greenland in 2019), complemented by student-organised excursions in Switzerland.

1. The core module covers the conceptual and theoretical bases in geography. Students are taught the different approaches to human and physical geography at Master's level, as well as methods for collecting and analysing data. Three cycles of internal colloquiums offer students a chance to gain more in-depth knowledge on current research topics.
2. The specialisation module equips the students with advanced knowledge in the chosen field.
3. A supporting module allows students to personalise their study programmes by pursuing courses related to their specialisation. Students can choose from a wide range of courses from the University of Fribourg, as well as other universities. Depending on the student's prior education and training, the supporting module may also be used to fill in gaps.
4. The Master's thesis is carried out under the supervision of a professor and makes up a very substantial part of the programme.

Career openings
This programme is intended for motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in research – e.g. by pursuing a PhD – or in the public or private sector – e.g. in geoscientific/environmental consulting and protection, risk analysis and mitigation, documentation, public institutions or international organisations. The specialised Master's degree does not give access to the teacher education for academic upper secondary schools (DEEM or LDM) of the University of Fribourg.