Learning objectives
Outline, texts and goals
Access to further study
The title grants access to all 3rd cycle degree programmes (research doctorates as well as specialisation courses and 1st/2nd level masters) in accordance with the requirements established by the respective regulations.
Professional status
Geologist.
Graduates of the Master's degree course can find employment in:
- Professional firms (geological, engineering, naturalistic);
- Civil engineering companies;
- Local Authorities (Regions, Provinces, Municipalities, Mountain Communities, Natural Parks, Department of Civil Protection);
- Companies engaging in the energy supply and renewable energy sector (e.g. geothermal energy);
- Service companies for underground exploration and drilling;
- Firms engaging in environmental remediation;
- Mining and geological materials processing industries (cement production, ceramics, glass).
- Service and consultancy companies engaging in geological activities that involve planning-related responsibilities, with special reference to geological and environmental problems);
- Public research organisations (e.g: National Research Council, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, National and Regional Environmental Agencies (e.g. ARPA)).
- Scientific institutes and private research organisations.
-Universities, Ministries (e.g. “Environment and Land Protection” and “Sea, Economic Development and Infrastructure”) and insurance companies.
Graduates of the Master's degree course can find employment in:
- Professional firms (geological, engineering, naturalistic);
- Civil engineering companies;
- Local Authorities (Regions, Provinces, Municipalities, Mountain Communities, Natural Parks, Department of Civil Protection);
- Companies engaging in the energy supply and renewable energy sector (e.g. geothermal energy);
- Service companies for underground exploration and drilling;
- Firms engaging in environmental remediation;
- Mining and geological materials processing industries (cement production, ceramics, glass).
- Service and consultancy companies engaging in geological activities that involve planning-related responsibilities, with special reference to geological and environmental problems);
- Public research organisations (e.g: National Research Council, National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, National and Regional Environmental Agencies (e.g. ARPA)).
- Scientific institutes and private research organisations.
-Universities, Ministries (e.g. “Environment and Land Protection” and “Sea, Economic Development and Infrastructure”) and insurance companies.
Knowledge required for access
To be admitted to the Master's Degree programme in Geosciences for Sustainable Development, students must hold a Bachelor's Degree (including degrees obtained under the system in force prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, as amended from time to time) or a three-year university degree, or another academic title obtained abroad and recognised as eligible by the relevant offices of the University.
Students are also required to meet certain curricular requirements and to have an adequate background.
Curricular requirements include a university degree obtained in class L-34 (Geological Sciences) pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/04 or in class 16 (Earth Sciences), established in accordance with the previous system pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, or in another class with such an educational path as to enable students to obtain at least 33 university credits in the GEO-related SSDs/*, as set out in the Teaching Regulations of the course.
The Regulations also defines the procedures for assessing the student's background.
To be admitted to the Master's degree programme, students must demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), including technical vocabulary.
Students are also required to meet certain curricular requirements and to have an adequate background.
Curricular requirements include a university degree obtained in class L-34 (Geological Sciences) pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/04 or in class 16 (Earth Sciences), established in accordance with the previous system pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, or in another class with such an educational path as to enable students to obtain at least 33 university credits in the GEO-related SSDs/*, as set out in the Teaching Regulations of the course.
The Regulations also defines the procedures for assessing the student's background.
To be admitted to the Master's degree programme, students must demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), including technical vocabulary.
Title conferred
Second cycle degree/Two years Master in GEOSCIENCES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Language(s) of instruction/examination
ITALIAN, ENGLISH
Skills associated with the function
Geologist.
Graduates in the Master's degree course in Geosciences for Sustainable Development will be equipped with skills to tackle complex tasks in all applied geological fields.
These skills will be essential for learning to work independently in different geological contexts, taking on roles of responsibility and organisation, as well as developing the ability to communicate results efficiently, including in foreign languages.
In particular, graduates must:
1) Be able to manage the planning, supervision of works, testing and monitoring of all geological interventions required for land management and protection. Course subjects in all learning areas and, above all, in-depth geological knowledge of the area will contribute to this objective. This knowledge will uniquely distinguishes graduates from other professional profiles.
2) Be able to work independently when carrying out geognostic and geophysical surveys for underground exploration. These surveys are key to defining the appropriate geological and technical model and geological hazard, including stability issues related to soils and slopes prone to landslides and rockfalls.
3) Be able to plan and manage the implementation and development of hydrogeological models.
4) Have in-depth knowledge of basic and thematic geological cartography, including computer cartography and land information systems.
5) Know how to use remote sensing and photogrammetry methodologies with terrestrial and remote sensing technologies (satellite, drones).
6) Be familiar with the geological and geophysical concepts of subsurface geological exploration for the finding, utilisation, storage and protection of energy and non-energy geological resources.
7) Apply environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) issues to all human activities.
8) Have the skills to assess natural hazards (seismic, volcanic and hydrogeological risk).
9) Be able to draw up plans for urban planning, land use, the environment and geo-resources, including related protective measures, relying on geological instruments.
10) Know how to analyse, rehabilitate and manage degraded sites and brownfield sites through the analysis and modelling of geo-environmental processes and related design, construction management, testing and monitoring.
11) Possess the necessary skills to research, characterise and restore geomaterials of industrial and commercial interest, as well as to research, extract and manage mineral resources of industrial interest.
12) Know how to carry out sustainable environmental management of polluted sites for industrial, mining or landfill activities.
13) Have expertise in conducting research and managing the reuse of waste materials for their reintroduction into the production cycle (e.g. quarry waste).
14) Have skills in the assessment and prevention of the deterioration of cultural and environmental assets and their conservation and enhancement.
Graduates in the Master's degree course in Geosciences for Sustainable Development will be equipped with skills to tackle complex tasks in all applied geological fields.
These skills will be essential for learning to work independently in different geological contexts, taking on roles of responsibility and organisation, as well as developing the ability to communicate results efficiently, including in foreign languages.
In particular, graduates must:
1) Be able to manage the planning, supervision of works, testing and monitoring of all geological interventions required for land management and protection. Course subjects in all learning areas and, above all, in-depth geological knowledge of the area will contribute to this objective. This knowledge will uniquely distinguishes graduates from other professional profiles.
2) Be able to work independently when carrying out geognostic and geophysical surveys for underground exploration. These surveys are key to defining the appropriate geological and technical model and geological hazard, including stability issues related to soils and slopes prone to landslides and rockfalls.
3) Be able to plan and manage the implementation and development of hydrogeological models.
4) Have in-depth knowledge of basic and thematic geological cartography, including computer cartography and land information systems.
5) Know how to use remote sensing and photogrammetry methodologies with terrestrial and remote sensing technologies (satellite, drones).
6) Be familiar with the geological and geophysical concepts of subsurface geological exploration for the finding, utilisation, storage and protection of energy and non-energy geological resources.
7) Apply environmental impact assessment (EIA) and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) issues to all human activities.
8) Have the skills to assess natural hazards (seismic, volcanic and hydrogeological risk).
9) Be able to draw up plans for urban planning, land use, the environment and geo-resources, including related protective measures, relying on geological instruments.
10) Know how to analyse, rehabilitate and manage degraded sites and brownfield sites through the analysis and modelling of geo-environmental processes and related design, construction management, testing and monitoring.
11) Possess the necessary skills to research, characterise and restore geomaterials of industrial and commercial interest, as well as to research, extract and manage mineral resources of industrial interest.
12) Know how to carry out sustainable environmental management of polluted sites for industrial, mining or landfill activities.
13) Have expertise in conducting research and managing the reuse of waste materials for their reintroduction into the production cycle (e.g. quarry waste).
14) Have skills in the assessment and prevention of the deterioration of cultural and environmental assets and their conservation and enhancement.
Function in a work context
Geologist.
Graduates in Geosciences for Sustainable Development will be able to collaborate with professionals such as engineers, climatologists, economists and other specialists to address global challenges. Their knowledge will be crucial for natural resource management, energy transition, climate change risk mitigation and the implementation of new technologies. Their knowledge will be crucial for natural resource management, energy transition, climate change risk mitigation and the implementation of new technologies. Graduates will be able to work in organisations and companies related to energy thanks to their analytical skills, knowledge of rocks and minerals, both on the surface and, above all, underground, and their ability to integrate complex data.
New technologies such as the use of drones, advanced sensors, and satellite imaging technologies will enable graduates to collect more accurate and detailed data. The use of increasingly advanced software, integrated with artificial intelligence and machine learning, will enable them to analyse large amounts of geological data, improving their ability to predict geological resources and risks.
In light of the foregoing, graduates can be employed in areas related to (i) geology applied to civil engineering, with a focus on the construction, management and safety of urban infrastructure and transport networks, including roads, railways and energy networks; and (ii) hydrology and hydrogeology (i.e. the collection, management and storage of surface and groundwater);
(iii) research, storage and sustainable use of energy resources such as fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) and renewable sources (geothermal, hydroelectric);
(iv) prevention and treatment of the effects of natural hazards (seismic, volcanic, flood, hydrogeological and slope instability risks);
(v) safe and efficient storage of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nuclear waste;
(vi) environmental geology, with particular reference to the remediation of polluted areas or the prevention of pollutants themselves. (vii) land management and planning, including site selection and geotechnical management of wind and photovoltaic fields, landfills and all industrial and urban sites; (viii) identification, technical and economic evaluation, and management of georesources, with particular reference to strategic minerals supporting traditional and, above all, technologically advanced industries in the field of information and energy technologies; (ix) design, testing and management of new and traditional geomaterials produced from minerals and rocks for multiple industrial uses.g) Metals and alloys, conductors and semiconductors, ceramics, medical technology) to make the environmental impact of production more sustainable, particularly within the circular economy; (x) study, management and restoration of artistic and cultural heritage; (xi) research and development of new analytical techniques on historical and modern materials.
Graduates in Geosciences for Sustainable Development will be able to collaborate with professionals such as engineers, climatologists, economists and other specialists to address global challenges. Their knowledge will be crucial for natural resource management, energy transition, climate change risk mitigation and the implementation of new technologies. Their knowledge will be crucial for natural resource management, energy transition, climate change risk mitigation and the implementation of new technologies. Graduates will be able to work in organisations and companies related to energy thanks to their analytical skills, knowledge of rocks and minerals, both on the surface and, above all, underground, and their ability to integrate complex data.
New technologies such as the use of drones, advanced sensors, and satellite imaging technologies will enable graduates to collect more accurate and detailed data. The use of increasingly advanced software, integrated with artificial intelligence and machine learning, will enable them to analyse large amounts of geological data, improving their ability to predict geological resources and risks.
In light of the foregoing, graduates can be employed in areas related to (i) geology applied to civil engineering, with a focus on the construction, management and safety of urban infrastructure and transport networks, including roads, railways and energy networks; and (ii) hydrology and hydrogeology (i.e. the collection, management and storage of surface and groundwater);
(iii) research, storage and sustainable use of energy resources such as fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) and renewable sources (geothermal, hydroelectric);
(iv) prevention and treatment of the effects of natural hazards (seismic, volcanic, flood, hydrogeological and slope instability risks);
(v) safe and efficient storage of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and nuclear waste;
(vi) environmental geology, with particular reference to the remediation of polluted areas or the prevention of pollutants themselves. (vii) land management and planning, including site selection and geotechnical management of wind and photovoltaic fields, landfills and all industrial and urban sites; (viii) identification, technical and economic evaluation, and management of georesources, with particular reference to strategic minerals supporting traditional and, above all, technologically advanced industries in the field of information and energy technologies; (ix) design, testing and management of new and traditional geomaterials produced from minerals and rocks for multiple industrial uses.g) Metals and alloys, conductors and semiconductors, ceramics, medical technology) to make the environmental impact of production more sustainable, particularly within the circular economy; (x) study, management and restoration of artistic and cultural heritage; (xi) research and development of new analytical techniques on historical and modern materials.
Specific educational objectives of the course of study
The Master's degree programme in Geosciences for Sustainable Development provides a solid scientific foundation in the interdisciplinary study of the dynamics and management of the Earth system, i.e. a set of complex relationships that regulate interaction between geological, environmental and human systems.
The programme sets out to train advanced experts who are capable of dealing with the theoretical and practical aspects of scientific investigation, data analysis, modelling techniques, and the integration of land management processes for environmental research and the sustainable use of resources.
The course of study is designed to constantly combine the theoretical basic knowledge delivered with practical exercises to develop the graduates' operational capacity.
Teaching activities are carried out through classic lectures, supplemented by extensive practical laboratory drills and fieldwork, with special reliance being made on state-of-the-art technologies in the relevant fields adopting an interdisciplinary and project-oriented approach.
Teaching activities are complemented by a compulsory teaching internship for all students, to be organised through specific agreements. This can be carried out at public bodies or industry companies, at university laboratories, with training periods abroad also being an option.
Students are also encouraged to carry out their Curricular traineeship activities abroad for the Final examination within the framework of international mobility programmes such as the Erasmus+ Traineeship programme, which is geared exclusively towards traineeship and Thesis activities in Europe.
The training programme includes a set of compulsory courses as part of the core type of training activities in both the first and second years, with a view to defining the following areas:
A) Geomorphological and geological application area. This part of the course is closely related to sustainable land management and the prevention of its risks in various contexts. It includes advanced course subjects in applied geology, dealing in depth with, among others, geological design, slope stability, applied hydrogeology, geotechnics and GIS and remote sensing, and geochemistry of environmental contamination.
B) Geological and paleontological area. It provides the geological skills essential for the study of rocks, both exposed and underground, and features compulsory courses covering the analysis of sedimentary basins and the energy resources they contain, as well as deformation mechanisms and applied sedimentology.
The core course subject is Advanced Geological Surveying, which provides technical mapping skills on various geological aspects.
C) Mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical area. This field of study is closely related to the study of geological materials, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial, and features courses with a clear practical and industrial focus. Teaching is focused on the use of mineral resources in specific contexts, the geochemistry of environmental contamination, and regional and environmental petrology.
With regard to subjects in related and supplementary course types, students can select them in both the first and second years from a list of options covering the in-depth study of topics related to climate change, mathematical modelling of natural events and the subsoil, energy transition and strategic minerals.
Other significant topics to complete the professional profiles include applied geophysics, geological subsurface exploration, advanced geological surveying, environmental mineralogy, and applied petrography.
The course also includes free-choice course subjects, a compulsory Curricular traineeship in the 2nd year and the Final examination.
The internship, which is carried out at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences or at affiliated institutions and companies or professional firms, aims to introduce students to the most current issues in the geological field and provide them with useful expertise to help them enter the labour market.
The training programme can then be divided into curricula. On the one hand, these are aimed at training professionals focused on working in the field, in collaboration with engineers. Their role will be to ensure the sustainable contextualisation of any human intervention and for the management of recurring or extreme natural events linked to different geological situations in a context of climate change. On the other hand, the curricula are aimed at specialising experts in the sustainable sourcing and management of energy resources. These are fundamental for the development of a constantly evolving society with increasingly urgent needs.
The course also includes English-taught classes, as the profession of geologist and the companies and businesses operating in the geological field are increasingly active on an international level. This is an inevitable consequence of global economic dynamics and the evolution of the labour market. Therefore, it is imperative that students improve their understanding and use of the English language, especially in a professional context, by learning subject-specific vocabulary.
Graduates will acquire the skills to become professionals, technicians and specialists who can take on responsibilities in the design, planning, management, testing and monitoring of geological works. They will also be able to process, analyse, model and manage data relating to geo-environmental processes and land management, risk management and the sustainable use of resources. The course offers career opportunities in a wide range of private and public sectors, including research. In the industrial sector, geologists will apply their exclusive skills to geological, hydrogeological, geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical and petrographic investigations. These investigations are aimed at:
- Monitoring and mitigation of natural and anthropogenic pollution;
- Sustainable management and use of land and its resources;
- Prevention, monitoring and mitigation of geological hazards (such as hydrogeological, volcanic, seismic, environmental, hydraulic, erosion, subsidence, etc.) in a context of climate change;
- Research and sustainable management of groundwater resources;
- Research and sustainable management of deposits of minerals and rocks of industrial interest;
- Research and sustainable management of traditional and innovative energy sources to achieve decarbonisation targets.
Students are guided to think innovatively about issues that are crucial for the future of society, such as land-use planning and environmental management, exploration and sustainability in the use of georesources and geomaterials, cultural heritage protection, and planetary exploration.
Collaboration with other academies and companies engaging in geological exploration and resource management is encouraged through specific partnerships with public and private institutions, universities and local and multinational private companies.
The programme sets out to train advanced experts who are capable of dealing with the theoretical and practical aspects of scientific investigation, data analysis, modelling techniques, and the integration of land management processes for environmental research and the sustainable use of resources.
The course of study is designed to constantly combine the theoretical basic knowledge delivered with practical exercises to develop the graduates' operational capacity.
Teaching activities are carried out through classic lectures, supplemented by extensive practical laboratory drills and fieldwork, with special reliance being made on state-of-the-art technologies in the relevant fields adopting an interdisciplinary and project-oriented approach.
Teaching activities are complemented by a compulsory teaching internship for all students, to be organised through specific agreements. This can be carried out at public bodies or industry companies, at university laboratories, with training periods abroad also being an option.
Students are also encouraged to carry out their Curricular traineeship activities abroad for the Final examination within the framework of international mobility programmes such as the Erasmus+ Traineeship programme, which is geared exclusively towards traineeship and Thesis activities in Europe.
The training programme includes a set of compulsory courses as part of the core type of training activities in both the first and second years, with a view to defining the following areas:
A) Geomorphological and geological application area. This part of the course is closely related to sustainable land management and the prevention of its risks in various contexts. It includes advanced course subjects in applied geology, dealing in depth with, among others, geological design, slope stability, applied hydrogeology, geotechnics and GIS and remote sensing, and geochemistry of environmental contamination.
B) Geological and paleontological area. It provides the geological skills essential for the study of rocks, both exposed and underground, and features compulsory courses covering the analysis of sedimentary basins and the energy resources they contain, as well as deformation mechanisms and applied sedimentology.
The core course subject is Advanced Geological Surveying, which provides technical mapping skills on various geological aspects.
C) Mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical area. This field of study is closely related to the study of geological materials, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial, and features courses with a clear practical and industrial focus. Teaching is focused on the use of mineral resources in specific contexts, the geochemistry of environmental contamination, and regional and environmental petrology.
With regard to subjects in related and supplementary course types, students can select them in both the first and second years from a list of options covering the in-depth study of topics related to climate change, mathematical modelling of natural events and the subsoil, energy transition and strategic minerals.
Other significant topics to complete the professional profiles include applied geophysics, geological subsurface exploration, advanced geological surveying, environmental mineralogy, and applied petrography.
The course also includes free-choice course subjects, a compulsory Curricular traineeship in the 2nd year and the Final examination.
The internship, which is carried out at the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences or at affiliated institutions and companies or professional firms, aims to introduce students to the most current issues in the geological field and provide them with useful expertise to help them enter the labour market.
The training programme can then be divided into curricula. On the one hand, these are aimed at training professionals focused on working in the field, in collaboration with engineers. Their role will be to ensure the sustainable contextualisation of any human intervention and for the management of recurring or extreme natural events linked to different geological situations in a context of climate change. On the other hand, the curricula are aimed at specialising experts in the sustainable sourcing and management of energy resources. These are fundamental for the development of a constantly evolving society with increasingly urgent needs.
The course also includes English-taught classes, as the profession of geologist and the companies and businesses operating in the geological field are increasingly active on an international level. This is an inevitable consequence of global economic dynamics and the evolution of the labour market. Therefore, it is imperative that students improve their understanding and use of the English language, especially in a professional context, by learning subject-specific vocabulary.
Graduates will acquire the skills to become professionals, technicians and specialists who can take on responsibilities in the design, planning, management, testing and monitoring of geological works. They will also be able to process, analyse, model and manage data relating to geo-environmental processes and land management, risk management and the sustainable use of resources. The course offers career opportunities in a wide range of private and public sectors, including research. In the industrial sector, geologists will apply their exclusive skills to geological, hydrogeological, geochemical, geophysical, mineralogical and petrographic investigations. These investigations are aimed at:
- Monitoring and mitigation of natural and anthropogenic pollution;
- Sustainable management and use of land and its resources;
- Prevention, monitoring and mitigation of geological hazards (such as hydrogeological, volcanic, seismic, environmental, hydraulic, erosion, subsidence, etc.) in a context of climate change;
- Research and sustainable management of groundwater resources;
- Research and sustainable management of deposits of minerals and rocks of industrial interest;
- Research and sustainable management of traditional and innovative energy sources to achieve decarbonisation targets.
Students are guided to think innovatively about issues that are crucial for the future of society, such as land-use planning and environmental management, exploration and sustainability in the use of georesources and geomaterials, cultural heritage protection, and planetary exploration.
Collaboration with other academies and companies engaging in geological exploration and resource management is encouraged through specific partnerships with public and private institutions, universities and local and multinational private companies.