The Department of Earth Sciences and its history...
The Department of Earth Sciences, created in 1991, is the successor to the Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory, whose origins date back to 1911. Its objectives are to foster the development of Earth Sciences, promote and carry out research in that scientific area, guarantee the provision of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and, among other missions, support the community in solving problems within its scientific domain.
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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 reforms, of the Museum of Natural History, initially included in the Faculty of Philosophy and installed in the restored Colégio de Jesus. The pioneer in the teaching of Mineralogy, Geology and also Zoology was Domingos Vandelli; one of his disciples was José Bonifácio d'Andrada e Silva, a famous mineralogist and the first professor of Metallurgy at the University of Coimbra, as well as Superintendent General of Mines and mentor of the independence of Brazil.
The long history of this scientific field at the University of Coimbra has allowed for the training of graduates, masters, and doctoral students in Geology, Mining Engineering, and Geological Engineering who have contributed significantly to the development of Portugal and other countries. The work carried out by these specialists has provided a deeper understanding of national geology, supporting prospecting and exploration activities for geological resources, which, especially throughout the 20th century, contributed significantly to the country's economic development. However, geological reconnaissance work was not limited to the physical space of the continental territory or its Atlantic islands, but also encompassed the territories of the former overseas provinces, now the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The various missions in which members of the then Mineralogical and Geological Museum and Laboratory participated have created a unique documentary, cartographic, and instrumental collection, in addition to unique collections of minerals, fossils, and rocks, now shared with the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra.
Firmly grounded in a past it is proud of, the Department of Earth Sciences has adapted to the demands of the present through a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate training, already formatted according to the Bologna model, which corresponds to the country's development needs. It offers and participates in different first-cycle study cycles, as well as postgraduate training in master's and doctoral study cycles.
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The faculty of the Department of Earth Sciences are involved in research units with other specialists, contributing to scientific innovation in Earth Sciences and related fields, as well as to knowledge transfer and societal development.
The main areas of intervention include the sustainable management of geological resources, encompassing 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. Other areas of development include the prevention, minimization, and remediation of impacts associated with natural disasters or those resulting from human actions, as well as the assessment of interactions between factors of geological origin and human health. It also constitutes an area of development and implementation of alternative energies, or methodologies that enable the geological sequestration of CO2. Furthermore, the consolidation of knowledge on the relationships between the organic and inorganic world is promoted, as well as on the values and resources associated with natural heritage and compatible uses, within a framework of sustainable development. Furthermore, the use of new communication technologies in the dissemination and spread of geological knowledge is being considered.
