Overview

Management of the natural environment and sustainable use of the Earth's resources; knowledge and modelling of the functioning of planet Earth, including its responses to human pressures. The course objectives fit perfectly with the remit of the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, and with global ecological and energy transition goals.

Employment opportunities: companies operating in civil engineering, construction, land management, and the management of large infrastructures; international energy companies; scientific laboratories and research bodies; scientific consultancy.

• Geosciences for environment management: to equip professionals with understanding of anthropogenic impacts on the geological environment and of geological processes on human activities, for assessing, managing and mitigating natural and anthropogenic hazards.
• Geosciences for sustainable resources: to train professionals seeking to contribute to waste reduction, reuse and recycling of key geological resources, and use of clean energy sources. An integrated view of science, environmental policy and resource management, to address the current challenges of our planet.
• Earth and planetary materials and dynamics: to train specialists in the discovery and management of Earth and extraterrestrial geological materials. Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the dynamics and constituent materials of the Earth and planets as key to inform their sustainable use.

To provide multidisciplinary training in the field of sustainability, the Degree also includes a series of integrative courses in Engineering, Law, Economics, Ecology.

The Master's Degree Course in Geosciences for Sustainable Development is part of the Laurea Magistrale plus (LM+) programme of the University of Pavia: an integrated training programme developed in collaboration with industrial partners.

The international scope of the research activities undertaken in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences enables students to enrich their education through fieldtrips at world-class geological sites.

In the field, students gain hands-on experience, observing both active geological processes, such as the volcanism of the Eolie islands, and their outcome, for example on the peaks of the Dolomites.

Typically, over 50 per cent of the transport and subsistence costs incurred by students who participated in the educational field trips are covered by the Department.

The University of Pavia is ranked as the best 'large state university' in Italy according to the latest national Censis ranking. The University of Pavia – one of the oldest universities in the world (1361 CE) – is also highly regarded internationally, and has gained several positions in the QS World University Ranking in recent years.

According to the AlmaLaurea report, 92 per cent of graduates say they are satisfied with the academic experience as a whole, and more than 72 per cent are employed one year after graduating. 9 out of 10 students enjoyed the close relationship with lecturers.

Enrolled students live and study in the Science, Research and Knowledge District of the University, a true campus where courses in science, health and engineering are based, and where researchers work in state-of-the-art laboratories. Large green areas for socializing and studying, libraries, cafeterias and a canteen, swimming pools, gyms and sports facilities are all within a short walking distance from the classrooms. The campus is easily accessible from the city centre, by bicycle or via a 6-8 minute bus ride from Pavia train station.