COVID-19

YOU CAN ENROL FOR OCEANS & LAKES 2020-21!

It is possible to enroll online for the programme, in case you cannot travel to Belgium in the first semester of 2020-2021. More practical information about this is available on the website of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). If you have questions, please contact the student administration of the VUB.

COVID-19 and impact on classes 2020-2021:

Because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken by governments around the world, we realise that it might not be possible for all new students to arrive in Belgium in time for the start of the classes (September 21^st, 2020), or that it might not be possible to teach on-campus.
Because of this, we have decided as a programme to commit ourselves to teach our classes online in the first semester of 2020-2021, in case this will be necessary due to COVID-19 constraints. Classes in the first semester are scheduled from September 21^st, 2020 to December 18^th, 2020; exams will take place in January 2021.

Classes first semester 2020-2021:

Our programme consists of a combination of lectures, practicals on and off-campus, and fieldwork. However, the number of excursions (fieldwork) and practicals in the first semester is limited and will be replaced by online alternatives in the first semester, if made necessary by COVID-19 related measures. In case the measures taken by the Belgian government will prevent on-campus teaching for all students, then classes will be digital for all students.

We would like to emphasise however that our programme is not an online programme. When travel to Belgium is possible and when on-campus lectures are allowed, students are expected to join the programme in Belgium and attend the classes. Please consider August 1st, 2020 as the latest date for you to take the necessary steps for travel and enrolment. If on August 1st no constraints are imposed on travel and/or on-campus teaching, your physical presence is expected on September 21st. If however, further development after August 1st would again restrain travel and/or on-campus teaching, Oceans & Lakes will offer the online alternative.

For students who can make it to Belgium: in the first semester, we will offer blended learning education. We have had to make this decision due to COVID-19 circumstances, and the effect the pandemic has had in reducing the capacity of our classrooms (amongst other things). Blended learning education is a combination of on-campus classes/activities, and at-home classes. It is important to realize that you will not have classes on-campus full time in the 1^st semester. However, you will have about 1/3^rd to 1/2^nd of your classes on-campus (as far as we can confirm now). Please find an overview of the foreseen blended learning activities per course below.

Classes second semester 2020-2021:

So far, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, as well as Universiteit Antwerpen, have confirmed to teach all Oceans & Lakes classes online (code red) until 1 March. For Universiteit Gent, this is until 22 March. This will be updated as soon as there is more information available.

Online classes 1st semester 2020-2021:

Please find below a list of the digital alternatives that are offered online (if necessary), as well as the blended learning class activities that take place on-campus and off-campus, for the courses of the 1st semester of 2020-2021 of the Master Oceans & Lakes.
Please note that this information is to be confirmed. Please always refer to the course files for valid and updated information about the courses.
The full list of courses of the programme can be found here.

Core courses

Supporting courses

Major courses