Geology Ghent University

Overview

Objectives and Attainment Targets of the Study Programme 

The master student will receive an in-depth training in general geology and a specialised training in selected disciplines of Geology. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on acquiring general academic skills such as research and exploration, reporting, cooperation with fellow students and researchers. The student receives the necessary training to analyse and solve new, broader and more complex geological problems. He/she obtains the scientific attitude to solve these problems by selecting and applying advanced methods (qualitative and quantitative field analysis, direct and indirect observation techniques, physical and chemical analytical techniques, modelling of geological processes, etc).

The master at Ghent University should not only have hands-on knowledge of the techniques and the basic principles, but also be able to appraise the potential and the limitations of the different techniques. In a rational and scientific way, he/she is able to process and to report the research results, to publish them in reports and in a master dissertation (monograph), and to present and defend these results orally in a structured way, aided by modern communication techniques.

 Competence in one or more scientific disciplines

• Advanced knowledge of Earth, its structure, rocks and evolution, the evolution of Life, and an advanced insight into the way this knowledge was acquired and the correlation between the steering factors. Apply this insight creatively to analyse and solve new and complex theoretical or experimental problems.
• Apply innovatively the specialised knowledge of 'Geology of Basins / Basins and Orogens', 'Soil and Groundwater/ Groundwater and Mineral Resources ', 'Geodynamics and Georesources' and 'Surface Processes and Paleoenvironments'.
• Have the attitude to apply supporting disciplines during professional activities or research in an independent, critical and constructive manner.
• Understand and examine the connection with other relevant disciplines and integrate these in a more advanced research or applied context.
• Demonstrate a profound insight into the newest scientific developments of at least one geological sub-discipline.
• Apply the acquired geological knowledge, insights and methods in scientific, geology-supporting domains.