Why study Applied and Exploration Geophysics?

The primary goal of Applied Geophysics is the acquisition of knowledge about the subsurface. Such knowledge is crucial to the exploration of resources, to subsurface and civil engineering, but also to understand the risks involved in activities such as geothermal stimulation, or resource extraction.

While studying at two top universities for resource exploration and earth sciences in Italy and Austria, you can develop intercultural competences and get in touch with potential employers. The demand for scientists in the field of geophysical exploration is high and the job prospects are good.

Structure

The International Master of Science in Applied and Exploration Geophysics is a joint study programme of Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria) and Università di Pisa (Italy). Students completing the programme earn a double Master of Science degree, from Montanuniversität Leoben and from Università di Pisa.

The programme duration is two years, corresponding to a total of 120 ECTS. The language of instruction is English. Students can apply for admission at either university.

The first year is spent at the university, where the application was submitted. The third semester is spent at the partner university. The fourth semester is for the work related to the master thesis and can be spent at either university, depending on the supervisor. The programme starts in October (Montanuniversität Leoben), or at the end of September (Università di Pisa).

Content

The study programme consists of lectures, labs, computer labs, and field courses. The lectures cover the physics of seismic and electromagnetic waves, and the theory of magnetic and gravity fields. Field courses and computer labs cover the acquisition and the processing of data to produce images of the subsurface. Rock properties are measured in our petrophysics labs, and integrated with other data to produce subsurface models. For detailed information on the programme’s content and requirements, please refer to the Curriculum.

Professional Fields

The scientific profile of this master’s programme focuses on geophysical methods for imaging spatial and temporal distributions of physical subsurface properties. Such methods are important tools in resource exploration, civil engineering, and environmental research. Professional geophysicists often work as consultants in the field of civil engineering. Typical tasks include the evaluation, or the monitoring, of aquifers, the investigation of the subsurface stability for road or railway construction projects, or the prediction of the geology ahead for tunnel constructions. Others pursue international careers in oil and exploration companies. Both universities have close ties to the industry through guest lecturers and research projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geophysics, Physics, Applied Geosciences, Engineering, or a similar discipline
• Proof of English language proficiency by means of a recognized language test (TOEFL or IELTS)