Role in a work context
This Master’s Degree Course will prepare specialists in Geophysics and Geology playing roles of responsibility in different fields of private and public administrations, such as consulting, academic, government and local State administration. The Course will furnish major skills in the field of seismic risk mitigation allowing the future graduate to work in synergy with Civil Engineers, Land planners, Civil Protection Officers. Based on the existing cooperation and mobility with other Universities of nearby countries, major attention will be paid to seismic risk of the Mediterranean region.
Skills associated with the funcion
This Master’s Degree Course will furnish skills in Seismology and Seismic Risk, by preparing the student on inversion and calculation of seismic parameters, propagation of elastic waves, Earth structure, Seismotectonics, fault rupture models, ground motion simulations, probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard assessment, site-effects on the seismic motions, tsunami generation, propagation and hazard, and on the disciplines of Soil Mechanics and Dynamics. Application of theoretical concepts will be made through installation and operation of seismometers, processing and interpretation of digital waveforms, training in the monitoring and surveillance activity. The Master Degree Course will allow the student to acquire professional skills in Geology to be used for access to the role of the Senior Geologist according to the Italian law. A main application of the knowledge acquired in the field of Geophysics for Seismic Risk is that related to activity for Protection of Cultural Heritage from earthquakes. The student will acquire the knowledge of the methods useful for estimating the ground seismic oscillation expected at the basis of the cultural good and will join this information with the good vulnerability information obtained with the methods learned through the proper disciplines in the Course. In the framework of different activities, the Course will provide the future graduate with the necessary knowledge to carry out projects in the EC context and to start and conduct private companies working in the fields of geophysics and geology.
Job opportunities
There are several categories of geophysics jobs which can represent a goal of the student of this Master Degree Course, i.e. consulting, academic, government and local State administration. Consulting activity can be performed for Ensurance Companies, Construction Companies, among others. Also, a major goal of the student can be that of accessing the Italian professional role of the Senior Geologist. The student can also look at professional applications of the knowledge acquired in the field of Protection of Cultural Heritage, in the form of consulting or professional contribution in the framework of EC, State, local Institution or Private Projects.
🟦 Art. 9 – Student-Selected Activities
Students can earn part of their study credits (CFU/ECTS) through optional or elective activities.
These activities are designed to broaden your academic and professional background and to make your study plan more flexible.
You can earn these credits in several ways:
a) By taking exams for courses offered by the University at the same level of study, freely chosen by the student.
The course content must be different from that of your core subjects.
The professor in charge of the chosen course will check for possible overlap with your existing study plan. If the topics are too similar, the professor may refuse the exam and will inform the Programme Coordinator.
b) By participating in University-organized cultural activities proposed by professors, University departments, or registered student associations.
These can include seminars, guided visits (not part of classroom activities), conferences, or events related to audiovisual or performing arts.
Such activities must be approved by the University’s academic committees, which assign the corresponding credits (CFU).
c) By taking part in cultural activities related to your degree programme or department.
Proposals must be submitted by professors or registered student associations and include all necessary details (programme, workload, attendance tracking, short written report, and possible final assessment).
The relevant Councils decide whether to approve the activity and assign the credits.
Activities involving audiovisual or performing arts must always be approved by the University’s academic bodies.
University-approved activities will be officially recognized by the Programme Council once the student submits a request for credit recognition.
Credits are assigned according to the official workload rule of 25 hours = 1 CFU = 1 ECTS.
If you choose to earn credits through elective courses (option a), you must include these in your study plan by 31 January of your academic year of enrolment.
After this date, no changes or substitutions will be accepted.
📘 Reference document: the official version of this regulation is available on the University website at:
🟦 Art. 15 – Final Examination and Degree Award
To graduate with the Master’s Degree in Geophysical Sciences for Seismic Risk, you must have earned all credits required by your study plan (except those assigned to the final thesis) and have paid all university fees.
1. Application for Graduation
You must apply for graduation at least 180 days before the session in which you plan to defend your thesis.
The application must be signed by your thesis supervisor and submitted through the Department Director.
For students on exchange or mobility programmes, the mobility coordinator will confirm compliance with this rule.
You must also declare your thesis topic when submitting the application.
2. Supervisor and Co-supervisor
Your supervisor can be a University professor, adjunct professor, or contract lecturer during the academic year of application.
You may also have a co-supervisor, who can be a professor from another (even foreign) university or an external professional expert.
In that case, your supervisor must confirm in writing the co-supervisor’s qualifications.
The supervisor (and co-supervisor, if any) guide your research and writing process in line with the credits assigned to the thesis.
3. Thesis and Defense
The final examination consists of a public presentation and defense of your thesis — an original piece of work you have produced.
It may be experimental or theoretical, and must reflect a workload consistent with the credits assigned.
You may use multimedia materials during your presentation, which is followed by questions from the examination committee.
All students have the same amount of time for the defense.
The thesis, signed by your supervisor (and co-supervisor, if applicable), must be submitted online to the University administration at least seven working days before your defense date.
It will be made available to all members of the Examination Committee.
The thesis must be written in the language of instruction of your programme.
4. Evaluation and Grading
To pass the final exam, you need a minimum score of 66/110.
The maximum grade is 110/110, with the possibility of Honours (cum laude).
Your final grade is made up of:
- a base score (your weighted GPA converted to a 110-point scale; “30 e lode” counts as 31);
- a curricular score (up to 4 points, based on mobility, study duration, and honours in core courses);
- a thesis evaluation score (up to 7 points, based on thesis quality, understanding, synthesis, and responses).
If your final score is 112 or higher, you may receive Honours (cum laude) upon proposal by your supervisor and unanimous approval by the committee.
If your base score is 107 or higher, you may also be awarded an Academic Mention under the same conditions.
5. Examination and Ceremony
The final examination takes place in person, ending with the official proclamation of your degree and grade.
If you decide to withdraw from the examination, you must inform the Committee before the Chair closes your session.
The Examination Committee is appointed by the Department Director, based on a proposal from the Programme Coordinator, and includes at least seven members, mostly tenured professors.
It may also include lecturers, researchers, and external experts.
The Chair (usually the Director, Coordinator, or the most senior full professor) ensures the fairness and regularity of the procedure.
There are at least three graduation sessions per academic year, as indicated in the Academic Calendar.
Degree diplomas are officially awarded during a University graduation ceremony.
📘 Reference document: the official version of this regulation is available on the University website at: