Presentation

The Department of Earth Sciences, created in 1991, is the heir of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory, whose origins date back to 1911. Its objectives are to promote the development of Earth Sciences, promote and carry out research in that scientific area, ensure its realization undergraduate and graduate courses and, among other missions, to support the community in solving problems within its scientific domain.

The antecedents of the study and teaching of Earth Sciences at the University of Coimbra date back to the creation in 1772, by the Pombaline reform, of the Natural History Museum, initially included in the Faculty of Philosophy and installed in the restored Colégio de Jesus. The pioneer in teaching Mineralogy, Geology and also Zoology was Domingos Vandelli; one of his disciples was José Bonifácio d'Andrada e Silva, a famous mineralogist and first professor of metallurgy at the University of Coimbra, as well as Intendente Geral de Minas and mentor of the independence of Brazil.

The long existence of this scientific domain at the University of Coimbra, allowed the formation of graduates, masters and doctorates in Geology, Mining Engineering and Geological Engineering, which greatly contributed to the development of Portugal and other countries. The work carried out by these specialists provided a deeper knowledge of national geology, supporting the activities of prospecting and exploration of geological resources, which, especially throughout the 20th century, contributed significantly to the country's economic development. Geological recognition was not limited, however, to the physical space of the mainland, or of its Atlantic islands, having also encompassed the territories of the former overseas provinces, today the space of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The various missions in which members of the then Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory took part made it possible to create a unique documentary, cartographic and instrumental collection, in addition to unique collections of minerals, fossils and rocks, which are now shared with the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra.

Solidly founded on a past of which it is proud, the Department of Earth Sciences has adapted to the demands of the present, through a diversified offer of graduate and postgraduate training, already formatted according to the Bologna model, which corresponds to the needs of development of the country. Offers and participates in different study cycles of the 1st cycle, as well as in postgraduate training in master's and doctoral study cycles.

Faculty members from the Department of Earth Sciences are integrated in research units with other specialists, contributing to scientific innovation in Earth Sciences and related areas and to the transfer of knowledge and societal development.

The main areas of intervention are the sustainable management of geological resources, comprising soil, water resources, mineral resources and energy resources, including the development of new forms and technologies for the exploration, storage and use of these resources, as well as the design of new materials. The prevention, minimization and remediation of impacts associated with natural disasters or resulting from anthropic actions, as well as the assessment of interactions between factors of geological origin and human health, are also development areas. It is also an area of ​​development and implementation of alternative energies, or methodologies that make the geological sequestration of CO2 possible. It also promotes the consolidation of knowledge on the relationship between the organic and inorganic world, as well as on the values ​​and resources associated with natural heritage and compatible uses, within a framework of sustainable development. It also encourages the use of new communication technologies in the dissemination and dispersion of geological knowledge.

The antecedents of the study and teaching of Earth Sciences at the University of Coimbra date back to the creation in 1772, by the Pombaline reform, of the Natural History Museum, initially included in the Faculty of Philosophy and installed in the restored Colégio de Jesus. The pioneer in teaching Mineralogy, Geology and also Zoology was Domingos Vandelli; one of his disciples was José Bonifácio d'Andrada e Silva, famous mineralogist and first professor of metallurgy at the University of Coimbra, as well as General Intendente de Minas and mentor of the independence of Brazil.The Department of Earth Sciences, created in 1991, is the heir of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory, whose origin dates back to 1911. Its objectives are to promote the development of Earth Sciences, to promote and carry out research in that scientific area, to guarantee the realization of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and , among other missions, to support the community in solving problems within its scientific domain.

The long existence of this scientific domain at the University of Coimbra, allowed the formation of graduates, masters and doctorates in Geology, Mining Engineering and Geological Engineering, which greatly contributed to the development of Portugal and other countries. The work carried out by these specialists provided a deeper knowledge of national geology, supporting the activities of prospecting and exploration of geological resources, which, especially throughout the 20th century, contributed significantly to the country's economic development. Geological recognition was not limited, however, to the physical space of the mainland, or of its Atlantic islands, having also encompassed the territories of the former overseas provinces, today the space of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The various missions in which members of the then Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory took part made it possible to create a unique documentary, cartographic and instrumental collection, in addition to unique collections of minerals, fossils and rocks, which are now shared with the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra.

The main areas of intervention are the sustainable management of geological resources, comprising soil, water resources, mineral resources and energy resources, including the development of new forms and technologies for the exploration, storage and use of these resources, as well as the design of new materials. The prevention, minimization and remediation of impacts associated with natural disasters or resulting from anthropic actions, as well as the assessment of interactions between factors of geological origin and human health, are also development areas. It is also an area of ​​development and implementation of alternative energies, or methodologies that make the geological sequestration of CO2 possible. It also promotes the consolidation of knowledge on the relationship between the organic and inorganic world, as well as on the values ​​and resources associated with natural heritage and compatible uses, within a framework of sustainable development. It also encourages the use of new communication technologies in the dissemination and dispersion of geological knowledge.

Solidly founded on a past of which it is proud, the Department of Earth Sciences has adapted to the demands of the present, through a diversified offer of graduate and postgraduate training, already formatted according to the Bologna model, which corresponds to the needs of development of the country. Offers and participates in different study cycles of the 1st cycle, as well as in postgraduate training in master's and doctoral study cycles.

Faculty members from the Department of Earth Sciences are integrated in research units with other specialists, contributing to scientific innovation in Earth Sciences and related areas and to the transfer of knowledge and societal development.

The main areas of intervention are the sustainable management of geological resources, comprising soil, water resources, mineral resources and energy resources, including the development of new forms and technologies for the exploration, storage and use of these resources, as well as the design of new materials. The prevention, minimization and remediation of impacts associated with natural disasters or resulting from anthropic actions, as well as the assessment of interactions between factors of geological origin and human health, are also development areas. It is also an area of ​​development and implementation of alternative energies, or methodologies that make the geological sequestration of CO2 possible. It also promotes the consolidation of knowledge on the relationship between the organic and inorganic world, as well as on the values ​​and resources associated with natural heritage and compatible uses, within a framework of sustainable development. It also encourages the use of new communication technologies in the dissemination and dispersion of geological knowledge.

Faculty members from the Department of Earth Sciences are integrated in research units with other specialists, contributing to scientific innovation in Earth Sciences and related areas and to the transfer of knowledge and societal development.