Exploration and applied geophysics

Course Description

Level: Second Level Degree

Degree Class: LM-79 R - Content in Italian
Scienze geofisiche

Department: GEOSCIENCES

Admission: Free

CFUs: 120

Duration: 2 years

Website: https://www.dst.unipi.it/exploration-and-applied-geophysics-msc-wgf-lm.html

The Master’s Degree Course in Exploration and Applied Geophysics trains geophysicists to solve problems related to exploration, subsurface characterisation and seismic monitoring, also from an engineering perspective.  The course was created in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano and is divided into three curricula:
  • Exploration Geophysics - explores geophysics topics related to geological resource exploration and Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS) monitoring
  • Applied Geophysics - explores geophysics topics related to environmental monitoring, subsurface investigations, and engineering
  • Earthquakes and Volcano Physics - explores topics aimed at a better understanding of natural phenomena such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
The course of study provides computational and numerical skills, enabling students to model complex geophysical processes, analyse large and heterogeneous geophysical datasets, and use the latest artificial intelligence techniques.

Students holding a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent or higher qualification who meet the following minimum curricular requirements are allowed: a total of 20 CFUs in one or more of the scientific-disciplinary fields MAT, FIS, CHIM, INF/01 and ING-INF/05; no more than 6 CFUs in the INF/01 and ING-INF/05 fields can be counted in this number, and a total of 60 additional CFUs in one or more of the following scientific-disciplinary fields: ING-INF/ 01 -02- 03-04-07 FIS/01-02-03-04-05-06-07 GEO/02-03-04-05-07-10-11 ICAR/01 ICAR/02 ICAR/03 ICAR/06 ICAR/07 ICAR/08 ICAR/09 ING-IND/06 ING-IND/11 Proficient knowledge of English at least at level B2 is also required. Graduates’ personal preparation for admission to the Master’s Degree course will be verified by means of an individual interview aimed at assessing candidates’ preparation, also verifying the contents of exams taken in 1st or 2nd level degrees, knowledge of a language of the European Union, as well as informing candidates about potential educational programmes and career opportunities. The verification of the adequacy of the student’s initial preparation can result in admission or non-admission. Non-admission must be adequately justified.

Students holding a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent or higher qualification that meet the following minimum curricular requirements are eligible for the Master’s Degree Course in Exploration and Applied Geophysics: a total of 20 CFUs in one or more of the scientific-disciplinary fields MAT, FIS, CHIM, INF/01 and ING-INF/05; no more than 6 CFUs in the INF/01 and ING-INF/05 fields can be counted in this number, and a total of 60 additional CFUs in one or more of the following scientific-disciplinary fields: ING-INF/ 01 -02- 03-04-07 FIS/01-02-03-04-05-06-07 GEO/02-03-04-05-07-10-11 ICAR/01-02-03-06-07-08-09 ING-IND/06-11. Proficient knowledge of English at least at level B2 is also required; this knowledge will be verified through an interview. If the requirements are not fully met, the Master’s Degree Course will specify the training activities necessary for their acquisition within the educational offer of the University of Pisa. Graduates’ personal preparation for admission to the Master’s Degree course and their English language proficiency will be verified by means of an individual interview aimed at assessing candidates’ preparation, also checking their basic knowledge in mathematics, physics and geology acquired during previous studies, as well as informing candidates about potential educational programmes and career opportunities. Before the interview, candidates may be required to take an online pre-evaluation test on the same topics as the interview. This test aims to identify specific gaps in their preparation and better guide the interview. The verification of the adequacy of the student’s initial preparation can result in admission, non-admission or conditional admission to a specific training programme in the Master’s Degree Course. Non-admission must be adequately justified.

Course Evaluations

Contacts

Presidente del Corso di Laurea
Eusebio Maria Stucchi
Email: eusebio.stucchi@unipi.it

Referente didattico
Giuseppina Siniscalco
Tel. (+39) 050 2215814
Email: giuseppina.siniscalco@unipi.it
Unità Didattica del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra: https://www.dst.unipi.it/sportello.html
Orario di ricevimento: Lo sportello didattico riceve tutti i giorni dalle 12.30 alle 13.30 previo appuntamento mediante richiesta e-mail all'indirizzo: didattica@dst.unipi.it

Study Plan

For students enrolled in the academic year 2025/2026

Applied

Required
Cfis - disciplina caratterizzanti fisiche (6 CFU)
Cgl - discipline caratterizzanti geologiche (12 CFU)

Earthquakes and volcano physics

Cgl - discipline caratterizzanti geologi (12 CFU)
Cfis2 - discipline caratterizzanti fisici (12 CFU)
Cfis3 - discipline caratterizzanti geofisici (24 CFU)
Aff5 - affini e integrativi (15 CFU)

Required

Exploration

Required
Aff3 - affini percorso exploration -curr2 (6 CFU)
Cfis - discipline cartterizzanti fisiche - curr2 (6 CFU)
Cgl - discipline cartterizzanti geologiche obbligatorie (12 CFU)

Required

Leoben image

Required
Cfis - discipline fisiche (6 CFU)
Cgl - discipline geologiche (12 CFU)
Cgf2 discipline geofisiche (6 CFU)
The course offerings from previous years can be viewed at Course Catalogue.

Career opportunities

Graduates can find job opportunities in various fields:
  • Companies offering geophysical services and consultancy
  • Agencies for environmental monitoring and protection
  • Geological resource companies
  • Design and engineering companies
  • Public and private research institutes

Enrolment