Study Guide

DIPLOMA from a Higher Education Academic Institute or Technological Institute.

In the Programme of Postgraduate Studies are eligible to apply graduates from: Faculty of Sciences, of Geographical, Geotechnical and Environmental Sciences and other departments of related cognitive subject to the Programme, from national universities and recognized equivalent institutions of abroad. Also, graduates from Higher Military Educational Institutes (A.S.E.I) as well as from Higher Technological Educational Institutes (ATEI) of related cognitive scientific field.

The Program of Postgraduate Studies entitled "Applied and Environmental Geology" operates under the umbrella of the School of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The program of 90 ECTS aims to provide expertise in cutting-edge sectors of the science of Geology and its applications. It seeks to promote knowledge and research, and provide training through effective teaching, research and application. The postgraduate studies provide specialization in the following subjects:

Α) Engineering Geology and the Environment

B) Applied Geophysics and Seismology

C) Mineral Resources - Environment

More specifically,

Α) The graduates of the specialization "Engineering Geology and the Environment" are capable of designing and implementing a site investigation program (from desk study, walk over surveys, invasive site investigation, to borehole Interpretation) and construct a conceptual geological model. They can design and develop a 3-D conceptual model of the ground, in a wide variety of geological environments, based on the geological processes, their resultant ground types and their likely engineering properties. They are able to identify the variability and uncertainty in geotechnical engineering and to select and define the appropriate designs parameters. They are competent to characterise and interpret the engineering geological characteristics in different geological environments (like karstified ground, heavily tectonised rocks, intrusive rocks, ophiolithic complex, weathered grounds and others) based on geological processes and geomaterial products. The purpose is to estimate the most probable geotechnical behaviour of ground types and identify potential geological hazards according to the engineering project. The range of geotechnical properties of various rock types and soils, are given with simple mathematical tasks in relation to rock and soil mechanics. The graduates have a sound background of characteristics of every engineering project type (road cuts-slope stability problems, tunnels, dams, foundations) and the theoretical basis of geotechnical design, using several geotechnical software. They are educated to study the identification and classification of soils, laboratory testing, the physical and mechanical properties of soils and rocks and to prepare, execute laboratory tests, interpret their results and proceed to data acquisition and analysis. They are also taught about the hazard and risk of manmade and natural disasters such as slope failures - landslides, earthquake geology and secondary effects (soil liquefaction, landslides) triggered by an earthquake, volcanic activity and floods. They are educated in water works design and sustainable development and soil contamination management. They are able to write technical reports by real data from factual reports (geological maps, borehole drillings, laboratory and in situ tests) and files of a project. Every graduate undertakes individual real project work through his/her dissertation and is properly educated and developed to fit to the professional standards.

Β) The graduates of the specialization "Applied Geophysics and Seismology" acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills on the subjects of applied geophysics and seismology. The general courses aim to improve the basic knowledge in Geostatistics, GIS, mathematics and programming. They also include training in geophysical inversion and engineering geophysics.

The courses focusing on Applied Geophysics give basic knowledge in the theory and application of geophysical prospecting methods such as seismic (refraction, refraction, seismic tomography, etc.), gravity and magnetics and electrical/electromagnetic (electrical tomography, SP, GPR, VLF, TEM). The training focuses on the application of geophysical methods in studying geological, geotechnical, environmental archaeological and mining exploration problems. Particular emphasis is given in the fieldwork so that students can gain practical experience in collecting and processing geophysical data.

The courses focusing on Seismology offer insights into a broad spectrum of subjects (earthquakes, geodynamics, seismic waves, ray theory), Engineering Seismology, as well as soil-mechanics and soil-dynamics. Students gain experience in installing and operating mobile seismological networks, as well as processing and interpreting seismological data. They also volunteer as duty officers at the Seismological Station of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, to the 24/7 monitoring of seismic activity in the broader Aegean Sea region. Among their routine tasks is the processing of digital seismic waveforms to determine basic seismological parameters (magnitudes, epicentres, focal depths).

Overall students acquire skills both in handling specialized software packages, and on how to resolve important geophysical problems. The course is completed by the thesis, which typically involves the collection and interpretation of geophysical data measurements, but additionally can involve more theoretical subjects related to the algorithmic development of geophysical modelling and processing tools.

C) The graduates of the specialization "Mineral Resources - Environment" acquire skills in the scientific fields of Mineralogy, Ore Deposits and Geochemistry, which are directly related to the environmental protection and management. According to the program of this specialization, the postgraduate students focus on issues regarding Economic Geology and Ore Microscopy, Fossil fuels and Hydrocarbons, Research and Exploitation of Aggregates and Marbles, Applied and Environmental Geochemistry, Exploration and Exploitation methods of Mineral Resources, connection between Mineral Resources and Environment, Modern applications of Industrial Minerals, Design and Restoration of Mines and Quarries. Besides the theoretical courses, the graduate students, additionally gain practical education in: rock and mineral processing and enrichment (crushing, milling, grinding, heating, magnetic separation, separation by heavy solutions) and in laboratory and analytical methods (microscopy, X-ray Diffractometry, chemical analyses, electron microscopy, microthermometry) and are trained how to prepare Environmental Surveys. Additionally, graduate students practiced in the field, as well as in the processing and management of geochemical data and reserves calculation using special software packages.

Not applicable.

The qualification is a terminal award and allows access to doctoral studies.

A scale of 1 to 10 applies to the marks of each subject in the Hellenic Higher Education.

Άριστα (Arista) Excellent: 8.50-10.00

Λίαν Καλώς (Lian Kalos) Very Good : 6.50- 8.49

Καλώς (Kalos) Good : 6.00-6.49

Ανεπιτυχώς (Anepitychos) Fail: 0-5.99

Minimum passing grade : 6

3 SEMESTERS, 90 ECTS

A full academic year is equivalent to 60 ECTS units and each semester to 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) (1ECTS=25-30 student work load hours). Compliance with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) regulations started in 2007, when the Greek Legislation was harmonized with the relevant European one (Ministerial Decision no Φ5/89656/β3, art. 1-3, Hellenic Government Gazette no 1466/2007/B). Each course is credited with a number of ECTS (>=2) according to the studentworkload (contact hours, laboratory work, examination etc) and accumulation of credits (ECTS) is accomplished after successful completion of the course.

Full-time.