REPORT ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION GEOLOGY PROGRAMS IN HUNGARY

Transcription

1 REPORT ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION GEOLOGY PROGRAMS IN HUNGARY Eva Hartai Hungarian Geological Society

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In Hungary there are four universities where geology-related programs are offered. The traditional ten-semester-long academic programs started for the last in 2005 and students in these programs will complete their studies in Since 2006 the education is organized according to the Bologna System. The programs at BSc levels last for 6 or 7 semesters. A full year of studies equals 60 ETCS, 1 ECTS equals 30 hours of workload. At BSc level geologist is not a separate profession, the graduates get their diploma as Bachelor of Earth Sciences or Earth Science and Engineering. About 60 % of the graduated BSc students enter the MSc programs, which start in 2009 and The number of first-year BSc students in geology-related courses in Hungary is about 300, the number of graduates is about 130. The Earth Science BSc courses include several branches like geology, geophysics, meteorology, geoinformatics, mining engineering, oil engineering etc. The MSc courses are more specialized. The expected annual number of the graduates specialized in geology (including engineering geology and hydrogeology) is about 30, only a minor portion of them is unemployed. The curricula are rather input-oriented, there are no official expectations on learning outcomes from the employers side. INTRODUCTION The Euro-Ages projects aims to develop a qualification framework for geology, based on learning outcomes at the European level. As a background for this, geology-related higher education was surveyed at national level. Questionnaires concerning the geology-related study programs and statistical data were sent the higher educational institutions and the professional organization of geologists. The results of the questionnaires are assumed in this study. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOLOGNA PROCESS Hungary - with the exception of artistic training - switched over to multi-cycle training, using the experiences gained from experimental training launched in 2004 and 2005 with the

3 comprehensive launch of Bachelor programmes in September (In the field of artistic training, the new training system was launched in 2007.) During the first cycle, in the fields where experimental training commenced earlier (IT, engineering) the first students graduated in 2008; however, higher numbers of students are expected to finish their studies in The establishment of the Bachelor level took place through the modification of the earlier dual (university/college-level) training system. In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1993, there used to be 214 college level and 199 university level programmes, altogether 413 programmes in higher education institutions. The first cycle established by the Government Decree on first cycle and second-cycle programmes in higher education and on the procedural order of launching programmes comprises 133 first cycle programmes and 17 so-called undivided (one-tier) Master programmes (without Bachelor s degree graduation). The statutes tie the modification and supplementation of the structure of the first training cycle to the development and comprehensive review of the trainings that give a Bachelor s degree. This review will first be performed in 2008/2009. The training programme frameworks of the various programmes are provided by the programme completion and exit requirements, which are regularly published by the Ministerial Decree on the programme completion and exit requirements of bachelor and master programmes. Starting in 2009, the Master level training system will build as a phasing-out system on the Bachelor level training system launched comprehensively in September The preparation of Master level programmes began after the commencement of the first training cycle. The earlier university and college level training system played a less significant role in the establishment of programmes. However, higher education institutions in general strived to have a second cycle programme built on the first cycle programmes in every field. Professional university workshops also took the initiative, using their scientific background and personal conditions, to prepare special training programmes aimed at narrower fields instead of more generalised programmes. In Hungary, in the traditional five-year educational system geologists and geologist engineers were educated in two universities. In the Bologna System at BSc level geology doesn t exist as an individual profession. Geologists, hydrogeologists and engineers in

4 geology and geophysics are educated at MSc level. 4 BSc programs and 4 MSc programs are offered by the Hungarian universities. GEOLOGICAL PROGRAMS IN HUNGARY Traditional programs The conventional ten-semester-long academic programs in geology started for the last in There are two universities which offered these programs. At the Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest the graduate students are certificated geologists. At University of Miskolc they are certificated engineering geologists. The students in these programs will complete their studies mostly in 2010 but there will probably be some students in the conventional programs whose studies will last more than ten semesters. Programs in the Bologna System In the Bologna System there are four universities where geology-related programs are offered. The name of these programs and the name of the offering universities are as follows: BSc programs: BSc in Earth Sciences (Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, University of Szeged, University of Debrecen) BSc in Earth Science and Engineering (University of Miskolc) MSc programs: MSc in Earth Sciences (University of Szeged, University of Debrecen) MSc in Geology (Eötvös Loránd University Budapest) MSc in Geological and Geophysical Engineering (University of Miskolc) MSc in Hydrogelogy and Engineering (University of Miskolc) The programs are validated and accredited by the Misitry of Education and Culture.

5 THE NUMBER OF FRESHMEN AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN GEOLOGICAL PROGRAMS As the Bachelor programs embrace a large spectrum of specialities (e.g. mining engineering, oil engineering in University of Miskolc or meteorology, geophysics in ELTE), the number of freshmen students is relatively high. In the four universities which offer geology-related programs their number is about 300. The number of graduate students (including all specialization) is about 200. Specialization in the BSc programs takes place from the 4 th graduates with the geology-related specialization is about 50. semester. The number of The conventional geology programs have not been started for 4 years. In these programs students (who complete their studies in 5 semesters) will get their diploma in Their expected number is 30. THE EDUCATION IN GEOLOGY The Earth Science and Engineering program lasts for 7 semesters, the other BSc programs in Earth Sciences last for 6 semesters. The first BSc students in Earth Science got the Bachelor diploma in June 2009 and the first BSc students in Earth Science and Engineering will get their diploma in January The duration of the Master programs is 4 semesters. The first MSc program in geology started in September 2009 and the MSc program in Geo-engineering and Hydrogeology will expectedly start in February The workload of a full-time student for one academic year of study is defined as 60 ECTS credits, normally 30 ECTS credits for each semester. 1 ECTS credit equals ~ 30 hours of workload. The Bachelor program in Earth Science and Engineering program involves 210 ECTS and the Earth Science programs involve 180 ECTS. The Master Programs include 120 ECTS. The curricula in the geology-related programs are rather input-oriented, there are not outcome-oriented requirements.

6 In the BSc in Earth Science programs for students who are specialized in geology and in the MSc programs in geology the most important knowledge areas are as follows: mathematics, chemistry, informatics, mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, paleontology, physical, structural and historical geology, environmental geology, applied geology, geology of mineral deposits, mineral exploration. In the Earth Science and Engineering programs the BSc students who are specialized in geology the knowledge areas are: engineering physics, applied chemistry, economics, informatics, mineralogy, petrography, geochemistry, physical, structural and historical geology, environmental geology, geophysics, engineering geology, hydrogeology, mineral exploration, mineral resources. In the MSc programs in Geo-Engineering and Hydrogeology the concerning knowledge areas are more detailed. LEARNING OUTCOMES Learning outcomes mean statements of what a learner knows, understands and is able to do on completion of a learning process, which are defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence. In Hungary there are no national definition or standards for learning outcomes in the field of geology, it is the right of the given university which offers the program to define the learning outcomes. This definition is necessary for the accreditation of the offered program. The main areas of learning outcomes for graduates who specialized in geology and have a Bachelor Degree are as follows: In the Earth Science programs: key knowledge and skills in the area of geology, paleontology and applied geology to explore the mineral resources, fossil fuels and groundwater, mostly solving practical problems.

7 In the Earth Science and Engineering program: key knowledge and skills in the area of geology, engineering geology and engineering geophysics to explore and reveal the mineral resources, fossil fuels and groundwater, mostly solving practical problems. The main areas of learning outcomes for graduates who specialized in geology and have a Master Degree are as follows: In the Earth Science and Geology MSc programs: theoretical and practical knowledge of examination and exploration methods for planning and implementation of exploration programs for mineral resources, fossil fuels and groundwater. In the Geo-Engineering and Hydrogeology programs: theoretical and practical knowledge of examination and exploration methods for planning and implementation of exploration programs for mineral resources and fossil fuels, solving engineering geological problems, exploration, exploitation and management of groundwater. PROFESSIONAL PRE-REQUSITES The Directive 2005/36/EEC has not been implemented in Hungary but it is planned to be. Geology is a regulated profession and the officially recognized geological body is the Hungarian Geological Society. Graduated people do not need to pass an exam to join the Society. The Hungarian Geological Society does not have continual development programs. These are offered by universities. It is the special company which can require the improvement of the professional knowledge by postgradual courses. There are no professional pre-requisites for entering a job as a geologist, the academic degree is sufficient to practicise. EMPLOYMENT OF GEOLOGISTS The number of the graduates in the conventional geology-related study programs was about 30 per year. In the Bologna System the estimated number of geology-specialized Bachelor graduates is annually 50. From this, about 30 enter the MSc programs. Thus, the number of

8 graduates in the Bologna system will be similar to that in the conventional system. About 90 % of the graduated can find a job in profession, the rest has to work on abroad in other nonprofessional fields and they are usually not unemployed. The total number of practising geologists is about 500 in Hungary. The number of the members of the Hungarian Geological Society is about The difference comes from the retired persons, students and the members who are not geologists but do some geology-related activities and joined the Society.