Academic year 2018/2019

SCIENZE E TECNOLOGIE GEOLOGICHE Degree Programme Profile

Basic Information

Qualification awarded

Master Degree in SCIENZE E TECNOLOGIE GEOLOGICHE

Qualification Type/Level

EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7

Number of Years/credits

2 years; 120 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-Time/Part-Time*

*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.

Name of the Course Director and other contact information

President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. GIOVANNI SARTI
Email giovanni.sarti@unipi.it

Department of SCIENZE DELLA TERRA

Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Luigi Folco
Email luigi.folco@unipi.it

Language of Teaching

Italian

Admission Requirements

Formal Requirements

Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent (BSc) in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.

Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences

Assessment of competences acquired in First Cycle studies in related or un-related subject areas to determine admission by Degree Programme Council with possible assignment of extra work to be done before admission.

Required knowledge and competences support programmes

Students whose curricula show lacuna may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.

General Information

Programme Profile

The MS in Earth Sciences and Technologies is a specialized degree aimed at providing a solid knowledge of all the branches of Geology.
The degree is not subdivided into standard curricula since the student can plan his own didactic path choosing courses, practical activities and dissertation topics among three major groups of disciplines:
A1 – Geochemistry, Volcanology, Petrology, Mineralogy and Earth Resources;
A2 – Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Sedimentology and Palaeontology;
A3 – Applied Geology, Physical Geography and Geomorphology.
MSc graduate students may become Senior Geologists after passing the State exam.

Key Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Programme will be able to demonstrate:
- basic knowledge of Geology, Applied Geology, Volcanology and Geochemistry, Pure and Applied Petrology and Mineralogy, Pure and applied Paleontology, as well as in geological hazard assessment;
- advanced knowledge of applied geological disciplines for those whishing to enter the geological profession: Applied Geology, Applied Geomorphology, Geothermal resources, Hydro-geochemistry, GIS;
- ability to deal with issue relating to: soil conservation, environmental pollution, search of geo-resources, geological risk;
- deep knowledge of igneous petrology, volcanology, geochemistry, planetary geology, mineralogy, crystallography;
- deep knowledge of tectonics, geodynamics, structural geology, micro-paleontology

Occupational Profile/s of Graduates

MSc graduate students may benefit job opportunities in national technical surveys (Geological Survey, Seismic Survey, Civil Protection...), in national or private companies (ENEL, ENI...) and in private professional offices as Senior Geologist, after passing the State exam.

Access to further study

The Laurea Magistrale degree in GEOSCIENCES AND GEOTHECHNOLOGIES allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.

Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading

Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**. Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).

**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.

Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification

The final exam, to which 42 ECTS credits are allocated, consists in the presentation and discussion of a thesis, prepared and written in Italian or English, under the supervision of one or more tutors. The thesis should include text, figures, tables.

Course structure diagram

Available courses, 2018/2019