Water covers 70% of the Earth's surface and sets our planet apart from every other planet we know. Water plays an important role in the global climate and is a source of food, minerals, energy and recreation. Aquatic ecosystems teem with organisms, ranging from tiny phytoplankton and zooplankton to coral, fish, and whales. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are also used as ‘dumping grounds' for much of society's waste and are profoundly affected by global change.

The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) multidisciplinary Research Master's track in Limnology and Oceanography is devoted to the study of the biology, chemistry and physics of aquatic ecosystems. It is geared towards gaining a better understanding of the world's aquatic resources and working toward their protection.

This multidisciplinary Research Master's programme offers an advanced curriculum, with a dual focus on freshwater ecosystems (limnology) and marine ecosystems (oceanography).

• www.studeren.uva.nl/msc_limnology_and_oceanography