Program Overview
Environmental Geology and Earth Dynamics
The master's degree course in Environmental Geology and Earth Dynamics provides the cultural tools and skills necessary to carry out worldwide professional and research work in all fields of geology. Through significant experimental field and laboratory work, students are encouraged to develop autonomous skills of critical analysis, decision-making, and interdisciplinary vision that are of fundamental importance in the professional practice of the geologist.
Characteristics and Objectives
The Master's Degree course is organized in two study tracks, each one providing specific skills within the framework of the broad profession of geologist.
- The study track in Geologia Applicata alla Difesa del Suolo e dell'Ambiente (delivered mostly in Italian) focuses on the engineering geology.
- The study track in Earth Dynamics, delivered in English, combines a thorough study of the dynamics and evolutionary processes of the Earth with the application of the most advanced techniques of acquisition, processing, analysis, and representation of geological data.
Curriculum
The course provides theoretical background and practical skills on:
- Study, monitoring, and modelling of slope stability
- Retrieval and quantification of groundwater resources
- Soil and subsoil pollution and remediation
- Geological project design for soil and environmental protection
- Application of geological and remote sensing techniques for the assessment of geological instability and hazard
- Analytical methods of geomaterials for industrial applications
- Geodynamics, mineralogical, and petrological processes of the deep Earth are addressed with a multidisciplinary and integrated approach.
- Surface geomorphological and sedimentary processes and their multiple interactions with the evolution of past life and climates.
- Insights are provided on earthquake geology and on the prospection and sustainable management of georesources for the energy and mining industry.
- Skills are acquired on the analytical techniques applied to natural and synthetic geomaterials and the protection and restoration of stone materials.
- Application of remote sensing to geosciences.
- A course entirely dedicated to planetary geology offers the possibility of a first approach to this new and rapidly growing field of application of the geosciences.
Occupational Opportunities
The graduates of the master's degree in Environmental Geology and Earth Dynamics can work as freelance professional geologists in Italy, after passing the 'esame di Stato' and subsequent enrolment in the 'section A' of the register of the Italian Professional Association of Geologists.
- They can find highly qualified jobs, including managerial roles, in geological survey companies and engineering companies.
- In large companies in the energy, mining, and construction sectors.
- In analysis and research laboratories.
- In local, national, and international, public and private bodies and organizations, in Italy and abroad.
- Graduates who have enough credits in appropriate groups of sectors will be able to participate in the admission tests for teaching in the Italian secondary school system, according to current legislation.
Program Details
- Class: LM-74 R
- Duration: 2 years
- Branch: Padova
- Language: English and Italian
- Admission notice: Available for download
- Tuition fees and scholarships: Information available
- Programme coordinator: NEREO PRETO
- Access: Open access with admission requirements
Admission
For Academic Year 2026/2027, applications must be submitted within one of the following calls:
- Call One: 2 November 2025 – 2 February 2026
- Call Two: 2 March 2026 – 2 May 2026
- Call Three: 2 June 2025 – 2 August 2026 (only for EU students and non-EU students residing in Italy)