Geoconservation education: the leading role of the University of Minho (Portugal)

Abstract

In the University of Minho the first works concerning geoconservation were developed in 1996 in the Earth Sciences Department but it was only in 2005 that a major step was taken by this university with the creation of the master course on Geological Heritage and Geoconservation. Since that time, around 70 students were enrolled with an average of 10 new students each year. The University of Minho is also engaged with geoconservation at the PhD level. Several theses have been produced focused of themes centred in Portugal, Cape Verde and Brazil. In addition to post-graduation studies on geoconservation, there are also optional courses (5 ECTS) on geodiversity and geoconservation for the graduations on Geology, Biology and Geography. In what concerns non-formal education, the University of Minho has also some work done on raising public awareness of geoconservation through the organisation of guided fieldtrips to selected geosites, participation in TV documentaries and edition of publications.