Earth Sciences (Major and minor specializations)

Language of instruction: Georgian  

Amount of allocated credits: 240 ECTS

Awarded qualification: Bachelor of Earth Sciences

Admission Type: individual admissions

About the program

The program is based on a modern interdisciplinary approach and is oriented to prepare students equipped with holistic reasoning and program solving skills.

The program uses practical elements and focuses on modern technologies in the field. To ensure progress, the program of the Bachelor of Earth sciences was updated in 2020.

The faculty has material based, used for teaching and practice and training provision:

• Well-equipped field and teaching-research bases of the University in Akhalkalaki, Stepantsminda, Dedoplistskaro, and Grigoleti;
• Institute of Earth Sciences and National Center for Seismic Monitoring, equipped with state-of-the-art research and other equipment (differential GPSs, seismic search equipment, GPR, bottom scan sonar and bottom bottom profiling equipment, etc.);
• "Complex Environmental Research" Training-Research Laboratory;
• Specialized software (QGIS, ArcGIS, MICROMINE, Matlab, etc.);
• Chemistry Training Laboratory;
• Drones for various purposes.

Aim of the program

Program aims:

• To teach the student the fundamental concepts and modern theories of earth sciences and to show them its multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature, its area of ​​application and importance in the socio-economic and environmental context;
• Equip students with the skills to identify and solve problems effectively using quantitative research methods and modern technologies;
• Prepare students for successful professional careers, including pursuing a master's degree;
• Equip the student with transfer skills such as critical thinking, effective oral and written communication, teamwork skills used for career growth, self-development, and effective community engagement.

Main directions of the program:

Depending on the needs of the field, the program envisages receiving basic knowledge in the fundamental sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry) in conjunction with the disciplines of a wide range of earth sciences and is constructed to provide a combination of practical and theoretical knowledge and skills.

Learning outcomes

The graduate:

• Will have a broad knowledge of the fundamental concepts, paradigms, theories, and principles of the earth sciences and the knowledge necessary to study chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the environment;
• Be able to identify links between earth sciences and socio-economic and environmental issues, including understanding human impact on the environment, identification of causes/processes causing geospatial hazards and disasters;
• Be able to effectively use modern technologies, computing methods, and software packages, including Geoinformation systems (GIS) and remote sensing methods;
• Be able to identify complex problems related to the Earth sciences, identify ways to solve them, and evaluate them using scientific approaches, according to pre-defined guidelines;
• Be able to collect, describe, analyze and interpret quantitative data/information using a variety of methods;
• Will have basic skills in laboratory and fieldwork, including the use of appropriate tools and equipment and compliance with safety rules;
• Will be able to communicate with specialists and the general public using modern information and communication technologies, adhering to the principles of academic and professional ethics;
• Will have basic skills to work with electronic databases and other information sources (including scientific literature);
• Be able to work effectively independently and in a team, plan and execute learning process to deepen knowledge, and gain new skills.

Teaching methods:

The program uses components of theoretical and practical teaching and is oriented to give students the practical/laboratory and fieldwork skills simultaneously. The teaching also prioritizes the use of modern technologies. To reach program aims, the teaching-learning process uses the following methods:

• Lectures and seminars
• Practical work, including fieldwork and laboratory work
• Project work independently and in teams
• Analysis and synthesis

Employment opportunities

A graduate may be employed:

At scientific research, public institutions or any non-governmental or private company whose activities are related to earth sciences: geology, geophysics, hydrology and hydrogeology, engineering-geology, climatology, cartography, mineral exploration, and mineralogy; environmental protection and ecological monitoring; as well as the use of geoinformation technologies, etc.

Graduates of the program can continue their studies at the master's level.

Structure of the study program:

To receive a bachelor's degree, the student must accumulate 240 ECTS.