Programme

IMSOGLO graduates have the knowledge and skills to characterize soils and understand soil evolution in an ecosystem context under global change because they understand the underlying processes and interactions.

IMSOGLO graduates will be able to

1. demonstrate a broad knowledge at an advanced level in basic disciplines: soil physics, soil biology, soil chemistry, land information systems
2. explain the evolution of soil (agro-/forest/natural) ecosystems under natural conditions and human-impact, in relation to global change
3. characterise soil, assess soil quality, and relate it to natural and anthropogenic factors
4. conduct field work (soil survey, soil profile description, soil sampling), interpret analytical data, classify the soil, and manage and interpret existing geospatial (soil) data
5. plan and execute target orientated experiments or simulations independently and critically evaluate the collected data
6. demonstrate a holistic understanding of the interactions and processes in the agro-ecosystem and natural ecosystems, using statistical tools and advanced (geospatial) information- and modelling techniques
7. act from a researchers’ perspective using creativity, accuracy, critical reflection, curiosity, and justifying choices based on scientific criteria
8. integrate and extend acquired knowledge towards innovative solutions, knowing the limits of own competences
9. develop and implement scientifically-sound field and lab experimental procedures to test research hypotheses
10. participate in and lead interdisciplinary groups for development of sustainable environmental solutions at local, regional and global scale
11. possess qualifications for employment in private and public-sector companies and organisations where high level expertise in soil management is required
12. communicate, orally and written, in words and in graphs, on the own discipline to experts and the general public

IMSOGLO graduates who followed the specialization Soil Ecosystem Services will additionally be able to

1. describe and model the soil water cycle and its relation to soil degradation and soil management
2. design soil water management strategies under a changing climate
3. recognise soil threats and identify promising ecosystem services for a field situation
4. measure and model erosion risk, soil compaction and the other soil threats identified by the EU
5. characterise the relation between the C-cycle and the climate at different scales
6. utilize various advanced soil mapping technologies and methods to create detailed and accurate spatial representations of soil properties

IMSOGLO graduates who followed the specialization Soil-Plant System Processes will additionally be able to

1. sample, measure and describe concepts of biogeochemistry, in particular pools and and fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and water in (agro-) ecosystems
2. analyse and describe the impact of soil properties and processes on plant nutrition and health
3. explain and describe the global role of soils and soil microorganisms, in the exchange of greenhouse gases with the atmosphere
4. evaluate the impact of land management on soils and on the environment in different regions of the world
5. apply stable isotopes in the context of biogeochemical research
6. explain the role of soil microbiology for soil functions, with a special emphasis on plant nutrition