Master Degree in Geosciences

The Master's degree in Geosciences aims to provide advanced training in emerging Geoscience domains and to create professionals which can act in several areas of the geosciences. Also, the course aims to create motivation for a career in scientific research in geosciences, enhancing the potential of the research centres of the institution, through the integration of students in research projects.

The course of 120 ECTS (2 academic years) has 3 branches of specialization: External Dynamics and Global Change; Geological Heritage and Geoconservation; Valuation of Geological Resources. The first year is organized into 10 courses, 5 common to all the three branches and 5 courses specific to each branch of specialization. The second year is devoted to the development of a dissertation or individual project.

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

The ranking of candidates will be based on the ranking resulting from the application of the following algorithm:

Final classification [0-20] = 0.20 A + 0.60 B + 0.20 C

where components A, B and C are defined below.

It is also considered the following table 1, which defines the P weight given to the candidate's previous type of training:

	P
Bachelor in Geology	1
Bachelor in Biology and Geology	1
Bachelor in Geological Engineering	1
Bachelor in Environmental Sciences	0,9
Bachelor in Mining Engineering	0,9
Bachelor in Geography	0.6
Bachelor in Biology	0.6
Bachelors in similar areas	0.6

Component A:

Component A is calculated by the formula:

A=20*P

where P is the value given in table 1 according to the candidates previous training.

Component B:

Component B is given by the formula:

B=Med*0.8*P + OA*0.2

where P is defined in table 1, and Med and OA correspond to:

• Med: Final classification of degree, from 0 to 20;

• OA: Other relevant aspects in the scientific area of the cycle of studies such as presentations at scientific events, authorship of published works, participation in research projects, conducting internships, etc., whose ratings are assigned, from 0 to 20, by the Master's Course Steering Committee.

Component C:

Component C, valued from 0 to 20, is calculated as the sum of the ratings attributed by the Master's Course Steering Committee to the various dimensions of the candidate's technical and professional curriculum, in the area of the cycle of studies, as relevant professional activity, coordination and participation in projects, professional training, etc.

Applications 2024/2025 »»

2023/2024

General

Academic degree:

Master's degree

ECTS:

120

Duration:

4 curricular semesters

Regime:

Daytime

Place:

Gualtar Campus, Braga (UM)

Main Scientific area:

Geology

Contacts

Course Director

Paulo Jorge Silva Pereira

d4262@dct.uminho.pt

253604031

Mobility Academic Coordinator

Inês Pereira Silva Cunha Sousa

isousa@math.uminho.pt

+351 253510427

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar
4710 - 057 Braga

+351 253604390

+351 253604398

cpedagogico@ecum.uminho.pt; sec@ecum.uminho.pt

http://www.ecum.uminho.pt

Description

The Master's Degree in Geosciences at the University of Minho aims to provide advanced and specialized training in classic and emerging areas of geosciences, thus ensuring the acquisition of skills (e.g., mastery of geological techniques and methods in the scope of external dynamics, natural hazards, geological heritage and valorization of geological resources, environmental impact assessment, use of computer tools and Geographic Information Systems, modeling in geo-environmental systems) necessary for the success of its students in the job market and/or further studies.
In a more specific perspective of each specialization area of this master's degree course, additional objectives are complementary, such as characterizing the causes and consequences of natural climate change, analyzing susceptibility to hazard, as well as the temporal variation of hazard and associated effects; evaluating and characterizing geosites using various methodologies, from a management and preservation perspective of geological heritage; implementing prospecting techniques and methods for resource/reserve estimation considering environmental aspects.

Key learning outcomes

1. Apply the acquired knowledge in the field of Geosciences;
2. Explain the nature of experimental and field data in Geosciences;
3. Interpret analytical and experimental data in Geosciences;
4. Apply fundamental concepts in Geosciences;
5. Identify methodologies for the management of geological resources;
6. Promote critical analysis in new case studies;
7. Integrate results obtained with geological and environmental knowledge;
8. Identify ethical and social implications and responsibilities in the exploration of geological resources.

Access to higher education

The completion of this course confers technical-scientific capacity to pursue higher education at the doctoral level (3rd Cycle) in the field of Geosciences, such as the Doctorate in Geology - Geoconservation, Environmental Geology and Geological Resources (Doctorate) at the University of Minho.

Careers

The possible career opportunities for graduates in this course are varied, depending on the specialization area, namely public and private companies related to the prospecting, exploration, and management of geological resources, geology and environment consulting firms, national and municipal public administration bodies, protected areas, geoparks, natural science museums, interpretation centers.

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

The access to this Cycle of Study can be done at the Students Portal of the University of Minho
https://alunos.uminho.pt/EN/candidates/MastersDegrees/Pages/default.aspx

This information does not replace consultation of the Academic Regulations of the University of Minho and other official documents.

Formal requirements

Conditions for admission to the master’s course:
a) Holders of a graduation degree in the domains of Exact and Natural Sciences, Geography and Engineering, or other areas that provide a scientific base for any one the study cycle branches;
b) Holders of a foreign academic degree obtained with a 1st cycle of studies organized according to the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this process;
c) Holders of a foreign academic degree that is recognized as meeting the objectives of a degree by the Scientific Council of the School of Science;
d) The holders of an academic, scientific or professional that is recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the Scientific Council of the School of Sciences.

Application deadlines

Information on Application Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Registration deadlines

Information on Registration Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Aditional Information

Study Plan

When applicable, the elective curricular units available as well as the registration conditions and the number of vacancies will be indicated annually.

Branch

Regime	Curricular Unit	Scientific Area	ECTS
Year 1			60
S1	Characterization and Environmental Impact Assessment	GEOL	6
S1	Computer Resources and GIS Applied to Geosciences	GEOL	6
S1	Mapping	GEOL	6
S1	Modeling in Geoenvironmental Systems	GEOL	6
S1	Research Technics in Geosciences	GEOL	6
S2	Geological Itineraries	GEOL	6
S2	Geotourism and Geoparks	GEOL	6
S2	Inventorying and Characterization of Geological Heritage	GEOL	6
S2	Management and Valuation of Geological Heritage	GEOL	6
S2	Protected Areas and Land-use Planning	GEOL	6
Year 2			60
S1	Current Topics in Geosciences	GEOL	6
S1	Geosciences Project	GEOL	24
S2	Opção		30
	Dissertation	GEOL	30
	Traineeship	GEOL	30

Assessment/Accreditation

A3ES Accreditation status:

Accredited

Resolution publication date:

10-10-2022

A3ES deliberation:

https://a3es.pt/pt/resultados-acreditacao/mestrado-em-geociencias-1

A3ES submited report:

download pdf file

Registry number at Ministry:

R/A-Cr 42/2013/AL02

Registry Date:

21-01-2023

Accreditation validity:

30-07-2028

Master Degree in Geosciences

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Useful links

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar

Information

Social Media

Master Degree in Geosciences

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements​

Ranking criteria

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Access requirements