Introduction

The bachelor's degree in Geology provides training in the functioning and history of the planet, as well as knowledge of its resources (water, minerals, fuels), of natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods), of environmental and climate change management, and of the Earth's evolution.

The bachelor's degree in Geology trains professionals with extensive knowledge of the functioning and history of the Earth, capable of adapting to a constantly evolving work environment. It is aimed at students interested in the natural environment and has a substantial practical component, including both field and laboratory work, covering subjects as varied as biology, physics or engineering. Graduates are well prepared to join work centres and private and public organizations or mining and petroleum prospecting. Moreover, they are trained to join other areas such as geological services of various administrations, research centres, museums, education centres, etc. Students can also specialize in research by pursuing a master's or postgraduate degree.

Basic information

TypeBachelor's degrees
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Earth Sciences
Branch of knowledge
  • Sciences
Mode of delivery

face-to-face

Credits240
Number of places available

60

Length of course4 academic years
Language(s) of instructionCatalan 86,2%, Spanish 13,8%
Admission grade

5,000 (July 2023, start of process, via official entrance examinations/vocational training)

 

Approximate price per credit18,46 €
Compulsory placementsNo
CoordinatorCRISTINA DOMENECH ORTI
Course detailsIndicators

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Una mirada de futur. Facultat de Geologia

Objectives and competences

Objectives

  • Become professionals with a basic, while solid, and broad understanding of geology and its fields of application.
  • Acquire training in the use of the most appropriate tools to solve problems that arise and to work in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Be able to know how to use all the sources of information available for geological work and to present the results in a rigorous and understandable manner to all kinds of audiences.
  • Acquire the capabilities that allow them to join a wide range of jobs in private and public companies, geological services of the different administrations, research and teaching centres, museums, etc.
  • Know how to adapt efficiently to a constantly evolving work environment.
  • Prepare for a future specialization, either in work centres or through the master's offered by universities.

Competences

Basic competences

  • Capacity to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds upon general secondary education, and is typically at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will necessarily be informed by knowledge at the cutting edge of the field of study.
  • Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to the work or vocation, and have competences typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments and solving problems within the field of study.
  • Ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within the field of study) to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.
  • Capacity to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Learning skills required to undertake further study with a high degree of autonomy.

 

General competences

  • Critical and self-critical capabilities.
  • Capacity to assess and maintain the quality of the work produced.
  • Determination and perseverance applicable to professional tasks and responsibilities.
  • Capacity to demonstrate social responsibility and civic awareness.
  • Capacity for abstract thought and capacity for analysis and synthesis.
  • Planning and time-management skills.
  • Capacity for learning and continuous improvement.
  • Capacity to make reasoned decisions and adapt to new situations.
  • Capacity to work with others and contribute to group projects.
  • Capacity to identify, frame and solve problems.
  • Capacity to envision, design and manage projects.
  • Capacity to access and assimilate new knowledge and attitudes.
  • Capacity to understand and produce spoken and written Catalan, Spanish and a third language, including the comprehension and use of specialized terminology.
  • Capacity to research and integrate information using information and communication technologies.

     

Specific competences

  • Broad understanding of the characteristics, processes, history and materials of the Earth system.
  • Understanding of the applications and responsibilities of geology and its role in society.
  • Working knowledge of geology-related disciplines
  • Ability to complete research in geology independently of others.
  • Ability to identify and understand the spatial-temporal dimensions of geological processes and their effects on the planet.
  • Ability to gather, process and interpret field data and other sources of information with the necessary rigour, conduct laboratory analyses and document the results.
  • Capacity to apply simply quantitative methods, including geospatial techniques, to Earth systems.
  • Capacity to define, decide upon and implement problem-solving strategies in geology and report on their results.
  • Capacity to observe and understand environmental processes.
  • Capacity to apply best practices in professional activity (in areas such as legal framework, safety, the environment and sustainability).
  • Practical understanding of a wide range of rocks, structures, landscapes and other natural processes.
  • Skills required in the principal areas of employment in geology.
  • Capacity to communicate information about geology (data, ideas, problems and solutions) to a particular discourse community and to non-specialists.x

 

List of competences

 

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The future student of geology must:

  • Be interested in planet Earth and show curiosity about its operation, history, management and sustainable use.
  • Have skills for observation and description.
  • Have a sound basic understanding of fundamental subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry, and of subjects closely related to the degree, such as geology, biology and environmental sciences.
  • Be able to read simple scientific texts written in English.
  • Be familiar with basic computer tools (word and slideshow processors, spreadsheets).
  • Have experience in mountain trips.

Access requirements and conditions

Admission for students with studies completed outside Spain.

Applicants holding higher educational qualifications from a university outside Spain should consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications to find out about specific admission requirements.
 

Pre-enrolment

Students that have studied abroad and who wish to study at the University of Barcelona may be admitted to EHEA bachelor's degree courses. Procedures for gaining admission will depend on the qualifications held by each applicant.

For further information about admission, consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications.
 

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online via the Món UB portal. To find out the date and time you have been assigned, check the specific information for your course. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned.

Academic information

Welcome

Support and guidance

Pre-enrolment information and events

 

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Basic training 60
Compulsory 150
Optional 18
Compulsory placements 0
Compulsory final project 12
TOTAL 240

List of subjects

Subject Language Type Credits
Biology Annual Basic training 6
Chemistry Annual Basic training 12
Crystallography Annual Basic training 8
Introduction to Geology Annual Basic training 10
Mathematics Annual Basic training 12
Physics Annual Basic training 12
Subject Language Type Credits
Geomorphology Annual Compulsory 12
Mineralogy Annual Compulsory 12
Paleontology Annual Compulsory 12
Structural Geology and Tectonics Annual Compulsory 12
Geological Mapping I 1st semester Compulsory 6
Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks 2nd semester Compulsory 6
Subject Language Type Credits
Final Project Annual Compulsory final project 12
Historical and Regional Geology Annual Compulsory 6
Mineral Deposits Annual Compulsory 6
Geotechnical Investigation 1st semester Compulsory 6
Integrated Geology of Subsoils 1st semester Compulsory 6
Petroleum Geology 1st semester Compulsory 6

Pathways and specializations

Geology
Check the planning of the different pathways of the degree

Previous years

Placements

Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment.They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
 

Institutional information

 

Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

The bachelor's degree in Geology qualifies for the profession of geologist. Geologists can work in a broad spectrum of activities, both in private companies and in the public administration; in the study and management of the geological environment; in the exploration, assessment and management of natural resources; in the prevention and correction of geological and environmental risks; in geotechnology applied to infrastructure projects, and in training, research and development.

  • Non-renewable energy and mineral resources
  • Alternative energies (geothermal)
  • Industrial rocks
  • Environmental geology (waste management, territorial planning)
  • Surface and subterranean geological cartography
  • Hydrogeology
  • Management and decontamination of water resources
  • Geology of engineering
  • Geophysical studies and exploration
  • Civil and public construction
  • Geological hazards
  • Spatial planning
  • Marine geology
  • Teaching
  • Management of geological and palaeontological heritage
  • Geotourism
  • Museum studies
  • Scientific research
  • Scientific dissemination

Access to the labour market

Data from the university system in Catalonia

Contact us

Faculty of Earth Sciences

Martí i Franqués, s/n - 08028 Barcelona

Secretary: 934 021 336
secretaria.ciencies.terra@ub.edu
 

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