Geological Sciences

The degree course aims to define, characterize and understand current and past events, predict evolutionary scenarios and plan human interventions. Geologists read the records of the Earth's evolution imprinted in rocks and fossils, compare them with what is happening before our eyes and plan the human impact on Nature, since any intervention on the territory involves a modification of the superficial functioning of the Earth System.
The course aims to train graduates with:
- good knowledge of fundamentals of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science which then allow to quantify and interpret the geological processes and the structure of the Earth;
- solid basic preparation in all sectors of Geological Sciences in order to be able to recognize and interpret the natural mechanisms that characterize the geological environment;
- analytical skills in field geology, aimed at basic geological cartography in various territories;
- laboratory analytical skills, aimed at the characterization of geomaterials and their behavior;
- technical skills for the use of tools for basic geological surveys;
- ability to collect and process data with general and specific computer methods of Geological Sciences;
- ability to apply mathematical models able to simulate geophysical and geological processes.
Some examples of the various careers open to graduates are outlined below. They include academic, scientific and highly specialist professions, within the scope of implementation and technical-operational support commensurate with the knowledge acquired on the course.
- Updating and amending geological maps, both technically and thematically.
- Operational support during geophysical and geological surveys aimed at carrying out civil engineering works, prospecting and characterising energy, mineral and water resources, and monitoring the environment.
- Land planning; operations for hydrogeological setting and protection, in addition to safeguarding and containing risk areas.
- Environmental control to safeguard water resources, the remediation and decontamination of aquifers, polluted sites and the disposal of waste.
- Industrial quality control; the technological use of geomaterials in the engineering, chemical and electronics industries; techniques for using decorative stone materials, gemmology.
- Protection of cultural and palaeontological heritage, preservation of historic sites, geoarchaeology.
Admission to the Bachelor's degree programme in Geological Sciences is open, subject to a mandatory, though non-selective, assessment test before enrolment.
Applicants to the degree programme in Geological Sciences must hold an upper secondary-school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad.
Admission assessment:
Candidates will have to sit for the TOLC (Test Online CISIA) at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA (Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems). Register to the TOLC test on the CISIA website (www.cisiaonline.it).
The tests providing access to the degree programme in Geological Sciences are: TOLC-B, TOLC-S, TOLC-I.
Only after taking one of these tests, will you be able to enrol, WHATEVER THE RESULT:
TOLC-B divided into 4 sections: Basic mathematics (20 questions - 50 minutes), Biology (10 questions - 20 minutes), Physics (10 questions - 20 minutes), Chemistry (10 questions - 20 minutes).
TOLC-S, divided into 4 sections: Basic mathematics (20 questions - 50 minutes), Reasoning and Problems (10 questions - 20 minutes), Reading comprehension (10 questions - 20 minutes), Basic sciences (chemistry, physics and geology - 10 questions - 20 minutes).
TOLC-I divided into 4 sections: Mathematics (20 questions - 50 minutes), Logic (10 questions - 20 minutes), Science (10 questions - 20 minutes), Verbal comprehension (10 questions - 20 minutes).
Each question has 5 answer options, of which only one is correct.
Score: +1 for a correct answer, -0.25 for a wrong answer, 0 for a no answer.
Each TOLC test includes an additional English section, consisting of 30 questions to be answered in 15 minutes. This section does not count toward the overall test score.
Test structure and topics, registration procedures, dates, deadlines and any other useful information are set out in the call for applications.
See also https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-first-degree-programme
Candidates are required to show up with a valid ID on the date and time shown on the TOLC registration receipt.
Admission of transfer or graduate students:
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I.
To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications.
These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details, please refer to the call for applications.
For the deadlines for applying for academic records assessments, please refer to the call.
The outcome will be notified via e-mail.
Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test.
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities:
Students who have not achieved at least 10 points in the Mathematics module will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA).
Students with additional learning requirements will have to carry out remedial activities organised by the University in the period October-December, and then take a test to prove they have filled their gaps. Otherwise, they may not take any second-year exams before passing the Mathematics I and Computer Science exams.
Learn more at https://geologia.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2025 to 30/09/2025
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - NOTICE
The call for applications is the only official document for admission to degree programmes. Please read it carefully. If you are reading this notice is because the call is available only in Italian as the programme is offered in Italian. Students wishing to enrol must be proficient in Italian.
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Physics I | 6 | 60 | Italian | FIS/01 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Chemistry and Laboratory | 9 | 84 | Italian | CHIM/03 |
Introduction to Geology and Laboratory | 7 | 68 | Italian | GEO/01 GEO/02 GEO/03 GEO/07 |
Mathematics I and Information Tecnology | 9 | 78 | Italian | INF/01 MAT/05 |
Paleontology and Laboratory | 9 | 84 | Italian | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Geomorphology and Laboratory | 10 | 96 | Italian | GEO/04 |
Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals | 10 | 108 | Italian | GEO/02 GEO/06 GEO/07 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Mathematics Ii | 6 | 60 | Italian | MAT/05 |
Mineralogy | 6 | 56 | Italian | GEO/06 |
Physics Ii | 6 | 56 | Italian | FIS/01 |
Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory | 10 | 96 | Italian | GEO/02 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Petrography and Laboratory | 10 | 96 | Italian | GEO/07 |
Physics of the Earth and Laboratory | 9 | 84 | Italian | GEO/10 |
Structural Geology and Tectonics and Laboratory | 10 | 96 | Italian | GEO/03 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Engineering Geology and Laboratory | 9 | 80 | Italian | GEO/05 |
Geological Mapping and Fieldwork Practicals | 9 | 100 | Italian | GEO/02 GEO/03 GEO/07 GEO/09 |
Georesources and Laboratory | 9 | 84 | Italian | GEO/09 |
Topography and Gis | 6 | 56 | Italian | ICAR/06 |
Optional | ||||
Raw Materials and Industry | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/09 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Geochemistry | 6 | 50 | Italian | GEO/08 |
Optional | ||||
Applied Geophysics | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/11 |
Facies Analysis | 6 | 52 | Italian | GEO/02 |
Geotechnical Field Test and Measures | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/05 |
Mineralogy of Earth and Planets and Analytical Methods | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/06 |
Palaeoecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/01 |
Photogeology | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/04 |
Structural Analysis I | 6 | 56 | Italian | GEO/03 |
Volcanology | 8 | 52 | Italian | GEO/08 |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Training | 5 | 0 | Italian |
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final Dissertation | 4 | 0 | Italian |
The Teaching Board of the study course provides for the activation of the following courses for free choice (third year courses) starting from the 2027-28 academic year.
Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raw Materials and Industry | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | GEO/09 |
Applied Geophysics | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/11 |
Facies Analysis | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/02 |
Geotechnical Field Test and Measures | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/05 |
Mineralogy of Earth and Planets and Analytical Methods | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/06 |
Palaeoecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Photogeology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Structural Analysis I | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/03 |
Volcanology | 8 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/08 |
Physics I on Physics II;
Mineralogy on Geochemistry.
Consult the following table for the compulsory preparatory courses.
Learning activity | Prescribed foundation courses |
---|---|
Engineering Geology and Laboratory | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) (compulsory), Geomorphology and Laboratory (compulsory), Introduction to Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Paleontology and Laboratory (compulsory), Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Structural Geology and Tectonics and Laboratory (compulsory) |
Geochemistry | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) (compulsory), Geomorphology and Laboratory (compulsory), Introduction to Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Paleontology and Laboratory (compulsory), Petrography and Laboratory (compulsory), Physics I (compulsory), Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory (compulsory) |
Geological Mapping and Fieldwork Practicals | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) (compulsory), Geomorphology and Laboratory (compulsory), Introduction to Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Paleontology and Laboratory (compulsory), Petrography and Laboratory (compulsory), Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Structural Geology and Tectonics and Laboratory (compulsory) |
Georesources and Laboratory | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) (compulsory), Geomorphology and Laboratory (compulsory), Introduction to Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Paleontology and Laboratory (compulsory), Petrography and Laboratory (compulsory), Physics I (compulsory), Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Structural Geology and Tectonics and Laboratory (compulsory) |
Mathematics Ii | Mathematics I and Information Tecnology (compulsory) |
Mineralogy | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory) |
Petrography and Laboratory | Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory) |
Physics I | Mathematics I and Information Tecnology (compulsory) |
Physics Ii | Physics I (compulsory) |
Physics of the Earth and Laboratory | Physics I (compulsory) |
Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory | Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory) |
Structural Geology and Tectonics and Laboratory | Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Petrography and Laboratory (compulsory), Sedimentary Geology and Laboratory (compulsory) |
Topography and Gis | Chemistry and Laboratory (compulsory), English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) (compulsory), Geomorphology and Laboratory (compulsory), Introduction to Geology and Laboratory (compulsory), Mineralogy (compulsory), Mineralogy and Lithology Practicals (compulsory), Paleontology and Laboratory (compulsory), Physics I (compulsory) |
The two main teaching areas are the Geology and Paleontology structure (via Luigi Mangiagalli, 34) and that of Mineralogy, Petrography, Geochemistry, Mineral Deposits and Geophysics (via Botticelli, 23).
The specific exercises of the Minerals and Rocks, Introduction to Geology and Laboratory Laboratory (with Geological Cartography) and the Paleontology and Laboratory are held in dedicated educational laboratories.
Educational collections for the recognition and study of fossils, minerals, rocks, thin sections of rocks, topographic and geological maps are available in classrooms and in ad-hoc teaching laboratories. Computerized classrooms offer software for data processing and for the simulation of geological processes.
Scientific instruments available at the Department of Earth Sciences (https://distad.unimi.it/it/didattica/progetti-e-laboratori/didattica-laboratorio) help provide an introduction to optical, chemical and physical-mechanical characterization of minerals, fossils, rocks, soils, other natural or synthetic materials, as well as water and other terrestrial fluids. Practical exercises are carried out in laboratories of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, mechanics of rocks, sedimentology, X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectrometry, absorption and emission spectrophotometry, visible and infrared spectroscopy.
Field laboratories take place in areas where students can learn geological cartography, process geological data and reconstruct the genetic processes of terrestrial materials (e.g. Valchiavenna Station).
- Teaching Office
Via Botticelli, 23 Milano (piano terra)
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
Per informazioni o appuntamento solo attraverso InformaStudenti - Student Secretariats
Via Celoria, 18 Mialno
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
+390250325032
Per informazioni o appuntamento InformaStudenti - Department Library, Director Dr. Fabio Bottazzi
Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 34 Milano (piano terra)
[email protected]
+390250315496
solo per appuntamento via mail - Contact person for Disability: Prof Maria Rose Petrizzo
Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 34 Milano
[email protected]
solo per appuntamento via mail
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
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