Master in Volcanology and Geological Risks

Presentation

Taking advantage of the potential offered by the environmental context in which it operates, the course focuses on issues of great scientific interest and high social, cultural and economic impact. It covers the most diverse fields of Volcanology and dedicate particular attention to aspects related with the mitigation of geological risks in densely populated areas and marked by the existence of diverse community basic infrastructures. The course is aimed at training professionals in the areas of assessment and monitoring of geological hazards, land use management, civil protection and emergency planning; Teachers with a deep level of knowledge and skills for the practice of teaching. It also aims to develop skills in the graduate already with jobs by its scientific value and its preparation for the design and implementation of research and development projects.

Objectives

a) train qualified specialists with skills to develop professional and educational activities and / or participate in scientific research projects, either in academia or in a business environment; b) provide to the public and private institutions professionals in the areas of monitoring of geological hazards, geological risk assessment, land use management, civil protection and emergency planning, among others; c) extend beyond the University of the Azores, the "School" that the Centre of Volcanology and Geological Risks Assessment has been building based on the development of its activity in the autonomous region of the Azores and its relations with other national and international institutions. The Masters course is proposed to achieve these objectives by providing the students with the knowledge and skills for the development to work and / or participate in scientific research in the areas of: i) Geology of volcanic regions; ii) Geology of the Azores; iii) Land use management, evaluation of volcanic hazards and associated risks; iv) Methodologies and techniques of geophysical, geochemical and geodetic monitoring v) Emergency planning. These objectives will be achieved by teaching of an academic year in which all these issues will be addressed, with a theoretical training followed by an extensive practical component in an environment of a research centres. In the second year students will develop a dissertation on a selected thematic taught from the first year.

Admission Requirements

Those who meet the following conditions may apply to the cycle of studies that leads to the Master degree: a) holders of an undergraduate degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Environmental Engineering, Biology/Geology, or related areas; b) holders of a foreign higher academic degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Environmental Engineering, Biology / Geology or related areas, conferred following a 1st cycle of studies organized in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process; c) holders of a foreign higher academic degree in Geology, Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Environmental Engineering, Biology / Geology or related fields, recognized as meeting the objectives of the degree by the scientific council of the Azores University; d) holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized by the scientific council of the Azores University as attesting to the capacity for the master's degree and demonstrate extensive experience in the field of the course studies.

Professional Opportunities

Technical staff in public or private entities linked to civil protection, spatial planning, risk assessment, insurance management, the environment, health and safety, media and nature tourism; Scientific researcher; Trainer of professionals, in particular civil protection agents, in entities promoting professional training.