Interinstitutional Postgraduate Study Program (I.P.S.P.) Palaeontology-Geobiology is a common postgraduate course, running by the following five Academic Institutions:
-SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY -ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI, as the coordinating Institution, in collaboration with:
-SCHOOL OF BIOLOGY -ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY OF THESSALONIKI
-SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY AND GEOENVIRONMENT -NATIONAL & KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS,
-SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS
and SCHOOL OF GEOGRAPHY, UNIVERSITY OF AEGEAN
Lectures are given in the coordinating Institution as well in the School of Geology and Geoenvironment of the NKU Athens.
The aim of the Interinstitutional Postgraduate Study Program (I.P.S.P.) is:
-To train the students to develop skills and abilities in order to fulfill the requirements of geosciences in the field of Palaeontology (including macroevolution, phylogeny, paleoecology, oil exploration, geobiology and geo-heritage preservation)
-Το provide the necessary specialized geo-scientific knowledge that is linked with the discovery, study and interpretation of fossils, the application of palaeontological data on issues of evolution, taphonomy, stratigraphy, biochronology, paleoecology, palaeoclimatology, paleogeography, and their educational promotion through the concepts of geo-preservation and geological heritage.
- To present modern methods, techniques and practices in excavation / collection - sampling / sorting, maintenance, research and study of fossils.
-To develop the application of gained skills in teaching, fieldwork and palaeontological excavations, laboratory, and research, as well in providing educational programs to third parties.
-Το promote multidisciplinary collaboration and synergy between geo-and bio-scientists with the aim of holistic approach to fossils.
- To improve studentskills in communication (oral and written), teamwork and autonomous work, management and promotion of geo-biodiversity.
Graduates can perform autonomous research work or provide substantial support to research teams, as well as staffing public and private bodies by contributing to basic and applied palaeontology and stratigraphic research, oil exploration, and the management, promotion and exploitation of geo-biodiversity through the developing network of geotope-geological parks and alternative forms of tourism.