Università degli Studi di Perugia

Degree course in Geological science and technology [LM-74] D. M. 270/2004

General information

Qualification awarded

Master’s Degree in Geological Science and Technology – Postgraduate student in Geological Science and Technology

Level of qualification

Second cycle

Specific admission requirements and specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

To be admitted to the Master’ Degree in Geological Science and Technology, students must possess a bachelor degree or five-year single cycle degree. In the case of university degrees obtained abroad, the validity of these qualifications will be assessed by the Education Board, taking into account legislation and international agreements in force. To access this Master’s Degree, students are required to have obtained the following Bachelor's degrees: - L-34 – Geological Science - L-32 - Science and Technology for the Environment and Nature - L-30 - Science and Physical Technology - L-7 - Civil and Environmental Engineering - L-31 – Science and Computer Technology - L-27 - Chemical Science and Technology, - L-25 - Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology; - L-35 - Mathematics - L-45 - Technology for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

Profile of the programme

The Master’s Degree in Geological Science and Technology aims to train technicians, professionals and experts of an advanced level, possessing an adequate basic scientific knowledge and in-depth knowledge of systems and geological processes in their theoretical, experimental and practical aspects. They should be able to perform, independently and in interaction with professionals and researchers from other disciplines and interdisciplinary work teams, specialized theoretical and practical activities in the field of Earth Sciences, also in research contexts.

Qualification requirements and regulations

The Master’s Degree in Geological Science and Technology has a duration of 2 years, during which the student must acquire 120 ECTS credits, 60 credits for each year of the course.
The elective courses offer students the opportunity to direct their own curriculum towards subjects of Geodynamics, Seismic and Volcanic or Applied Geology, Geomorphology and Hydrogeology for Land Management and works of engineering. The course is divided into curricula.

Key learning outcomes

(expressed by the European descriptors of the qualification - DM 16/03/2007, art. 3, paragraph 7).
On conclusion of the course, the Postgraduate student will acquire in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge and skills regarding:
- The processes of space-time evolution of geological systems, in relation to biological, physical and chemical characteristics of different environments;
- The methods of study, characterization and quantification of the factors that have implications for the locating and exploitation of geological resources s.l. (water resources, mining, etc.) and in paleo-geographic and palaeo-environmental reconstructions;
- processes related to natural hazards, such as hydraulic and hydrogeological risks and slope instability, volcanic risk, seismic risk; such knowledge will be aimed at preventing and minimizing the impact on the environment and society of phenomena related to the risks listed.

The Postgraduate student will also develop the ability to:
- develop physical-mathematical models of processes pertaining to one or more fields of Earth Sciences, aimed at understanding the temporal evolution of geological systems, which help in assessing the impacts of geological processes on the environment and society;
- carry out geological and geothematic mapping (hydrogeology, geomorphology, geochemistry, geosites, etc..), through the independent use of techniques and tools for the gathering, interpretation, representation and analysis of spatial data and information, also using appropriate updated methods, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing;
- enhance the value, from the point of view of Earth Sciences and on the basis of specific knowledge, the natural, cultural and historical resources of the territory, and of buildings and works in stone, encouraging the protection and recovery of such heritage and the growth of cultural and tourist activities.
- plan and fulfil, in sufficient autonomy but with the involvement of third parties, experimental studies aimed at implementing the skills acquired in one of the fields mentioned above.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

The credits are acquired upon the successful evaluation of the results (examination), with rules laid down by the professor responsible for each educational activity. Evaluations have individual characteristics, and may consist of written and / or oral and / or exercises to be performed in the laboratory or in situ. The tests for individual courses are evaluated on a scale of thirty, and where appropriate, with honours. The Master’s degree in Geological Science and Technology concludes with a final exam, which involves preparing a written and public presentation in a seminar format of a report (thesis), assigned by a professor (Rapporteur), belonging to the CIL of Earth Sciences . The final examination for obtaining the Master’s degree in Geological Science and Technology involves the preparation of a thesis, carried out under the guidance of a supervisor and discussed by the student before a board appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Science. The thesis will be written in Italian (with extended abstract in English) or English (with extended summary in Italian). The Board will be composed of 11 professors, chosen from those pertaining to the CIL of Earth Sciences and will include the Speaker of the thesis. In the assessment of the dissertation the examining Board will verify the ability of the student to work independently and to present and discuss clearly and fully the results of an original work of an experimental or theoretical nature, on a specific topic and consistent with the student’s educational programme. The criteria for final assessment and grading take account of the student’s career during the course of the Master’s Degree, timing and mode of acquisition of credits, the quality of the thesis written for the final examination and its presentation. The final exam will be awarded a maximum of 10 points, that will add to the basic mark, resulting from the average marks given for tests carried out during the two-year course.

Graduation requirements

The final qualification is awarded upon achievement of 120 credits and approval of a written thesis.

Mode of study (full-time, part-time, e-learning, ...)

Attendance is highly recommended for all courses. The Annual Academic Programme specifies the obligations of attendance for activities such as excursions and exercises in situ and in laboratories, that cannot be replaced by personal study and commitment. Part-time study is also possible: the student employee may submit an application to the Chairman of CIL by indicating their training needs. For students who enrol as part-time students and with an individual study plan that includes a different articulation of the educational programme, and ad hoc training programme will be scheduled. Depending on one’s needs due to work commitments and according to the syllabus approved by the Study Programme Council, there will be activities dedicated to providing educational tutorial assistance, monitoring of preparation and, where appropriate, e-learning.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples

The skills acquired will offer the graduate job opportunities in different working contexts where the technical-scientific knowledge of the geologist is fundamental and integrated with that of other professionals. In particular, graduates will be able to carry out professional activity independently or in group practices; as an employee of local, regional or national geological entities; in geological survey companies and large construction projects in Italy and abroad; in laboratories and public and private research organizations. Job opportunities also lie in the field of geological, hydrogeological, geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical and petrographic prospecting, aimed at research and evaluation of water resources (particularly with regard to groundwater), the deposits of metal ores, and industrial rocks, ornamental stones, as well as sources of energy and prevention of geological hazards s.l. (such as hydro-geological risk, volcanic, seismic, environmental, instability of slopes etc.); the identification, monitoring, and mitigation of natural and anthropogenic pollution; management and use of land and its resources. The Master’s degree will also, through the subsequent PhD, permit the training of qualified personnel for scientific research at universities and other public and private research organizations. Graduates will also have access to any specialized courses for teaching qualifications of some specific disciplines in secondary schools. The degree also provides access to the qualification examination to become a registered Geologist.

Access to further studies

The Master’s Degree will provide access to the 2nd-level Vocational Masters courses and PhDs, which require a the Master’s Degree category LM74.

Programme director or equivalent

Tabella riepilogativa regolamento

Applied geology, hydrogeology and hydrogeological risk (Regulations 2013)

Georesources, volcanic and seismic risk (Regulations 2013)