Presentation
Geology is the science that studies and interprets the Earth to manage geological resources, to know and minimize natural hazards, to understand geological processes and their repercussions on societies and to assess the impact of the humanity as far as the availability of resources and the changes in the environment are concerned. Regarding these contexts, it can be said that the study of the Planet Earth is more relevant today than ever before.
The mission of the course in Geology at the University of Coimbra is the teaching and interpretation of the physical and chemical processes of the Planet Earth and the Universe, through the study of geological materials, such as minerals, rocks, fossils, water, etc., and geological structures.
The course includes three alternative branches: Technical/Scientific, Geology Education and Technical/Scientific with Minor, which includes the possibility of choosing five curricular units from other scientific areas at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra.
Teaching comprises classroom, laboratory and field activities. “The field” is the largest natural laboratory in learning methodologies for studying geological materials.
The course in Geology trains professionals capable of knowing and interpreting geological settings, searching for and managing the Earth's resources and recognizing and evaluating natural hazards. One is also capable of understanding how the geological processes that shape the planet has an effect on life and assessing the impact of humanity on the Earth.
General information
- Course name: Degree in Geology
- Type: 1st Cycle course
- Qualification awarded: Licenciado /Bachelor's degree
- Course coordination: Elsa Gomes (egomes@dct.uc.pt)
- Vice Coordinator of the course: Luís Duarte (lduarte@dct.uc.pt)
- Mobility coordination: Joana Ribeiro (joana.ribeiro@uc.pt)
- Objectives: The graduate in Geology should be able to: Identify the different geological materials, their characteristics, composition, structures, origins, evolution and use; Recognize the different geological environments and identify the geological processes representative of each environment; Have a holistic view of the Earth as a dynamic system, integrated in the Solar System and in the Universe; Analyze, interpret and communicate geological data, namely cartographic information; Know how to plan and execute geological surveys, geological mapping and geological sections and to interpret geologically the mapped areas; Apply practical methodologies, in the field and / or in the laboratory, as well as use devices and instruments, within the scope of specific scientific areas of Geology; Be able to interlink concepts from the main areas of knowledge in Natural Sciences, from a perspective of pre-university education curricula (Education Branch).
- Study Plan: Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Technical/Scientific Branch - Bachelor's Degree in Geology; Education Branch – Bachelor's Degree in Geology, Technical/Scientific with Minor Branch.
- Duration: 6 semesters
- ECTS: 180
- Professional Opportunities: companies and consultancies, local authorities, universities and national and international research centers, service laboratories, territory planning, heritage and education.
- Numerus clausus: 33 (to be defined annually)
- Entry requirements: take one of the following tests: 02 Biology and Geology; 09 Geography; 16 Mathematics.
Study programme - Technical-Scientific Branch
1st year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartography and Geographical Information Systems | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Mineralogy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Mathematics I | Compulsory | MAT | 6.0 |
| General Chemistry I | Compulsory | QUIM | 6.0 |
1st year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paleontology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Igneous Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology I | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 1* | Elective | MAT/QUI/ BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 2* | Elective | MAT/QUI/ BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (1st year - 2nd semester):
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| General Mathematics II | MAT | 6.0 |
| General Chemistry II | QUIM | 6.0 |
| Biology II | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Palinology | BIOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
2nd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geomathematics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geochemistry | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Physics I | Compulsory | FIS | 6.0 |
| Optional 3* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (2nd year - 1st semester):
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Planetary Geology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geomorphology | GEOL | 6.0 |
2nd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stratigraphy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Metamorphic Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Structural Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology II | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 4* | Elective | GEOL/FIS | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (2nd year - 2nd semester):
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Computational Geology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Marine Geology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Physics II | FIS | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
3rd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geophysics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Tectonics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Engineering Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 5* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 6* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (3rd year - 1st semester):
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Industrial Minerals and Rocks | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Sedimentology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geology of Portugal | GEOL | 6.0 |
3rd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geology and Natural Hazards | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Hydrogeology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Internship | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 7* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 8* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (3rd year - 2nd semester):
| Unidade Curricular | Área Científica | ECTS |
| Metallic Mineral Resources | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geological Exploration | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology III | GEOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
Study programme - Teaching Path
1st year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 | |
| General Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Mineralogy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Mathematics I | Compulsory | MAT | 6.0 |
| General Chemistry I | Compulsory | QUI | 6.0 |
1st year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paleontology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Igneous Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology I | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 1* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 2* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (1st year - 2nd semester)
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Biology II | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Palinology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Plant Diversity | BIOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
2nd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Physics I | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 3* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 4* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 5* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (2nd year - 1st semester)
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Geomathematics | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geochemistry | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geomorphology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Planetary Geology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Ecology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Conservation Biology | BIOL | 6.0 |
2nd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stratigraphy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Metamorphic Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Structural Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 6* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 7* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (2nd year - 2nd semester)
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Functional Ecology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Plant Development | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Animal Physiology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Plant Physiology | BIOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
3rd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geophysics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Tectonics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 8* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 9* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 10* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (3rd year - 1st semester)
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Industrial Mineral and Rocks | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Sedimentology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geology of Portugal | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Biology of Conservation | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Microbiology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Algae and Fungi | BIOL | 6.0 |
3rd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geology and Natural Risks | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology II | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 11* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 12* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 13* | Elective | BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (3rd year - 2nd semester)
| Course Unit | Subject Area | ECTS |
| Metallic Mineral Resources | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Hydrogeology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Functional Ecology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Plant Development | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Animal Physiology | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Plant Physiology | BIOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
Study programme with Minor
1st year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartography and Geographical Information Systems | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Mineralogy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Mathematics I | Compulsory | MAT | 6.0 |
| General Chemistry I | Compulsory | QUIM | 6.0 |
1st year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paleontology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Igneous Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology I | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 1* | Elective | MAT/ QUI/ BIOL | 6.0 |
| Optional 2* | Elective | MAT/ QUI/ BIOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (1st year - 2nd semester)
| Unidade Curricular | Área Científica | ECTS |
| General Mathematics II | MAT | 6.0 |
| General Chemistry II | QUIM | 6.0 |
| Biology II | BIOL | 6.0 |
| Palinology | BIOL | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
2nd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedimentary Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geomathematics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geochemistry | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| General Physics I | Compulsory | FIS | 6.0 |
| Optional 3* | Elective | GEOL | 6.0 |
* To choose from the following options (2nd year - 1st semester)
| Unidade Curricular | Área Científica | ECTS |
| Planetary Geology | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Geomorphology | GEOL | 6.0 |
2nd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stratigraphy | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Metamorphic Petrology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Structural Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Field Geology II | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Menor - Optional 1 | Elective | MNR | 6.0 |
Note: The optional curricular units operating each semester are subject to validation by the competent bodies.
3rd year - 1st semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geophysics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Tectonics | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Engineering Geology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Menor - Optional 2 | Elective | MNR | 6.0 |
| Menor - Optional 3 | Elective | MNR | 6.0 |
3rd year - 2nd semester
| Course Unit | Type | Subject Area | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Geology and Natural Hazards | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Hydrogeology | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Internship | Compulsory | GEOL | 6.0 |
| Menor - Optional 4 | Elective | MNR | 6.0 |
| Menor - Optional 5 | Elective | MNR | 6.0 |