Courses / Department of Earth Sciences

Master in Sustainable Coastal Systems

General Objectives of the Course

The Master program on Sustainable Coastal Systems focuses on the study of natural and anthropogenic processes acting in coastal
areas. These are the direct result of overlapping climate, geological, physical, chemical, biological and social forcings. Its main
objectives are:
- To contribute to the application and development of coastal nature based solutions to face adaptation to climate change.
- To examine the interlinks of social and natural systems, considering the role of coastal systems in contributing to people’s wellbeing
and livelihoods;
- To determine how coastal systems are impacted by environmental and climate change, and test potential trade-offs balancing
social and sustainability objectives while improving resilience of coastal communities.
- To provide training in research skills and interdisciplinary methods for a wide range of careers in NGOs, conservation and resource
management agencies, sustainability consultancy, government, and academic research.

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the minimum conditions required in article 17 of Decree-Law 107/2008 in the areas of Geology, Biology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geographical Engineering, Geological Engineering or other related areas.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Technical staff of public and private services of environment, planning and adaptation to climate change; coastal managers; environmental consultants; scientific research; teaching.

Mode of Study

Face-to-Face / Daytime

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently enrolled. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

a) To understand the functioning and interactions of the various subsystems of planet Earth, including the ecological, geological,
patrimonial and human dimensions.
b) Understand the forcing factors that interact on coastal systems.
c) Master the operation of data acquisition technologies (in-situ or remote).
(d) Develop and implement strategies for monitoring, mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change at different time and
spatial scales on coastal systems.
e) Ability to analyze and model natural processes and effects of anthropic actions on coastal environments.
f) Develop skills for autonomous work and with a high level of specialization in the areas addressed in the various disciplines
available.

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Sofia Raquel Cardoso Pereira
uc45357@uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

The recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra, RAUC, Regulation no. 805-A/2020, DR, 2nd series, of 24 September (http://www.uc.pt/academicos/regulamentos/regulamentos), under the terms established in Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of 24 March, in its current wording.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The obtaining of the Master's degree is awarded in accordance with DL 74/2006, of March 24, with the subsequent amendments, Ordinance 782/2009, of July 23.

Graduation Requirements

The qualification is obtained after successful completion of all the curricular units of the course, making up the expected number of ECTS – 120 – according to the curricular structure.

Access to Further Studies

By conferring the master's degree, this course allows access to studies of the third cycle, limited to the framework of conditions defined by each doctoral program.

Study Programme

Sustainable Coastal Systems

Academic year
2026-2027

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: MG75

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 2 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

2nd Cycle Course

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: NCE/23/2300115; 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-31
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 164/2025; 2025-10-03