Level and type of study programme: Postgraduate – Master’s
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters); a total of 120 ECTS credit points
Title awarded: magister/magistrica inženir/-ka geotehnologije (mag. inž. geotehnol.)
Basic goals and competences
The fundamental goal of the Master’s study programme in Geotechnology is to train an expert and equip him or her with in-depth and targeted knowledge and skills from core areas in geotechnology and mining; the electives, meanwhile, offer especially detailed knowledge from individual fields of geotechnology and its associated areas.
In the framework of their studies, students will discover traditional principles that will be upgraded with the latest discoveries; all this in a modern educational environment and using modern technology. Students will also learn all about the particularities of Slovenia and Europe that stem from special historical, socio-economical and geographic characteristics. By working in groups, undertaking project work and solving problems, students will learn to work in teams, give public talks and do business with customers as well as to actively participate in research. Students will have the chance to test all the acquired theoretical knowledge through practical exercises and solving demanding theoretical and vocationally-oriented problems and projects; this will make practical work after their finished studies much easier, while at the same time providing a better understanding of problems from the narrower fields of geotechnology and mining. Students acquire the necessary thorough and oriented knowledge and skills from fundamental courses in the natural sciences and IT; they also follow fundamental courses in geotechnology and mining, while obtaining additional knowledge from professional courses. In the context of the offered courses and electives, the student also has the possibility of specialising in a particular field and continuing his or her studies at third-level programmes. The goal of the programme is to ensure international comparability, mobility and transferability, enabling students to continue their studies in Europe and find employment within the EU.
The programme is in line with the minimum demands of the FEANI association and thus has an accredited programming which may award the Euro-ing title. The goal is also to increase the number of students passing their courses, ensuring greater quality by introducing ongoing studying and developing general student and teacher tutoring and tutoring focused on certain courses.
Students use their acquired knowledge in practical scenarios by taking part in industrial placement at mining, construction and similar companies, which also represent the desired employment areas. Graduates who finish this programme are ensured in-depth theoretical and thorough professional knowledge, are employable and are capable of independently performing even the most demanding expert and developmental projects in the field of geotechnology and mining both in Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe.
Competence profile of the Master’s graduate
General competences+
- General knowledge and understanding of academic fields and scientific work methods;
- Developed ability to set, research, understand and creatively solve problems, principles and theories.
- Critical reading and understanding of texts, independent acquisition of knowledge and searching for sources;
- Developing the ability to think critically, analytically and synthetically – the ability to transfer and use theoretical knowledge in practice as well as solve professional and work problems, together with being capable of interdisciplinary integration;
- Developing a professional and ethical responsibility towards supervisors and subordinates in the context of work processes;
- Developing scientific and research literacy, public speaking capabilities and successful client communication, together with the ability to share, present and interpret knowledge and results;
- Being able to use a foreign professional language in written and spoken communication, communicating in international and national scientific circles, in professional circles and in everyday life in general;
- Being able to use information and communication technology as well as transfer information while taking into account professional ethical principles and values;
- Taking into account safety, functional, economic, environmental and ecological aspects when conducting work and when participating in research and work teams;
- Developing moral and ethical criteria with an emphasis on proper collaboration with clients, giving impartial advice, taking into account professional arguments, independence and professionalism as well as on working in accordance with valid legislation;
- Creating an objective outlook on the environment and society.
Subject-specific competences+
- Fundamental and specific expert knowledge and skills from the field of geotechnology, especially in the area of designing projects, organising, managing, leading and carrying out geotechnological and mining operations as well as in manufacturing, IT and ecology;
- Independent integrated design and management of complex geotechnological and mining facilities;
- Independent project management in the field of geotechnology and mining;
- Understanding the interactions between technical and environmental problems and the ability to design and construct environmentally-friendly geotechnological and mining facilities;
- Performing demanding tasks in the field of geotechnology and mining both individually and within a working group;
- The organisation, management and implementation of developmental activities in the area of geotechnology and mining;
- Possessing fundamental knowledge from the fields of geotechnology and mining, including the natural sciences, as well as the ability to link knowledge from various areas and apply knowledge obtained during studies in order to solve complex professional tasks;
- Using the acquired knowledge and skills in specialised areas of geotechnology, for example in engineering in rocky areas, geotechnical construction and extracting mineral resources from the earth’s surface and under it;
- Understanding the general structure of the fundamental discipline and the connection to its sub-disciplines;
- Using the IT and communication technology and systems that are most often employed in the field of geotechnology and mining;
- Managing mining companies and similar organisations.