Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Reservoir Geology and Geophysics is intended to provide students with training in the main lines of research, development and innovation in the field of exploration and characterization of geological reservoirs.

One of the main aims of the master's degree in Reservoir Geology and Geophysics is to become familiar with the use of the latest techniques and tools that, in this environment, are being developed by research teams involved in teaching this master's degree. These techniques and tools include the three-dimensional characterization of reservoirs and the analogical and numerical modelling of geological processes. The techniques are vital to efficiently characterize structural systems and sedimentary reservoirs, and are increasingly, rapidly being implemented.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Earth Sciences
Branch of knowledge
  • Earth sciences
  • Physics and astronomy
  • Interdisciplinary
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available25
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instructionEnglish
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationANNA MARTI CASTELLS
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Bridging coursesYes

Objectives and competences

Objectives

The main objective of the master's degree Reservoir Geology and Geophysics is for students to gain a thorough understanding of geological and geophysical techniques (currently in common use, newly introduced or in development) in order to apply them to the study and effective characterization of structural systems and sedimentary reservoirs. The aim is for students to gain familiarity with the most modern techniques and tools currently being developed and used by leading research teams and by the main companies engaged in exploration for natural resources. Students on the master's program Reservoir Geology and Geophysics will:


  • Obtain highly qualified professional preparation and be able to meet the most demanding requirements of companies exploring and managing sedimentary reservoirs.

  • Enhance their knowledge of methodology in order to work successfully as researchers in the analysis and modelling of geological reservoirs and structural systems.

  • Expand and consolidate their knowledge of the characterization and modelling of processes governing the genesis and subsequent evolution of sedimentary geological reservoirs.

  • Acquire this training within a solid conceptual framework of geological and geophysical knowledge, both general and specialized, enabling students to develop general standards for the application of these techniques in each circumstance.

    To achieve these general objectives, the program seeks to complete the education of each student in the concepts, methodologies and techniques used by research teams involved in the geological and geophysical characterization of sedimentary reservoirs.

    Competences

    In addition to developing the generic competences covered by all university master's degrees, students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

    • understand and apply resources for characterizing a sedimentary reservoir;
    • classify and analyse sedimentary materials and tectonic structures;
    • understand the procedures for modelling structural systems of the earth's crust;
    • understand geological systems of the earth's crust in order to improve the quantification and prediction of the phenomena involved in its generation and evolution;
    • incorporate information obtained from multidisciplinary data into a single model;
    • understand the fundamental mathematical, physical and geological principles applicable to geophysics;
    • identify the predominant processes in any geodynamic setting and determine the corresponding time scales and spatial scales;
      ' display a critical approach to the use of different geophysical and geological techniques;
    • prepare, process, interpret and present geological and geophysical data using the appropriate techniques, and solve numerical problems;
    • understand petroleum systems, seek out potential reservoirs and evaluate their behaviour;
    • apply acquired knowledge and a range of methodologies to analyse large-scale and small-scale processes.


    Complete list of competences.
  • Access and admission

    Applicant profile and access requirements

    Recommended applicant profile

    The master's degree Reservoir Geology and Geophysics is an interdisciplinary qualification that integrates and develops the knowledge previously acquired by students in the disciplines of geophysics and geology from tectonic plates at the regional scale to reservoirs at the local scale. The master's degree is recommended for students with broad education in the Earth sciences, including prior knowledge of specific disciplines in the program. Students should also be rigorous and autonomous, motivated to work in the field and in the laboratory, have a relatively strong level of mathematics and a good aptitude for using the latest tools and technologies.

    Students should also have a good working knowledge of English, because all subjects will be delivered in English.

    Access requirements and conditions

    General requirements
    In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

    • Official Spanish university degree.

    • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

    • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

    Specific requirements

    Applicants should hold an official bachelor's degree or an equivalent undergraduate degree in geology, physics, geological engineering or mining engineering. International students in possession of a bachelor's degree which has no specific equivalent in Spain are welcome to apply, provided that their degree curriculum covers aspects of geology and geophysics (for example, degrees in geosciences, geophysics, geophysical engineering or petroleum engineering).

    Applications from students in possession of degrees outside this group of preferred disciplines will also be considered.

    Bridging courses

    In most cases, students in possession of EHEA bachelor's degrees in geology, physics, geological engineering or mining engineering will not be asked to complete bridging courses.
    All other students will have to take bridging courses with a total study load of up to 30 ECTS credits, depending on their previous studies.

    Pre-enrolment

    Calendar

    First period: 22 January - 5 April 2024.

    Second period: 6 April - 12 July 2024.

    Third period: 13 July - 6 September 2024.

    Notes:

    • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
    • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

    Required documentation

    Selection criteria

    Notification

    Enrolment

    As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned

    Course curriculum

    Placements

    Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.

    There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. 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 ?

    • Public institutions in the field of Geology and Geophysics.
    • Companies related to exploration and production of hydrocarbon and other natural resources, renewable energies, environmental management (CO2 and methane storage), geophysical surveying and instrumentation, software development, consultancy and service companies.
    • University teaching and research career.

    Access to the labour market

    Data from the university system in Catalonia

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