Academic Advisors are members of the teaching staff who provide specialized information to students and graduates of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment regarding postgraduate studies and career prospects.

The Regulations of the MSc Programme “Exploration and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Resources” provide for the rotation of Academic Advisor duties among instructors and regulate the relevant specific matters. Any instructor who is a faculty member of the Programme may serve as an Academic Advisor, irrespective of academic rank or position. Academic Advisors support the students assigned to them from the beginning until the completion of their studies. The Academic Advisors of each MSc Programme are coordinated by the Programme Director. The system is compulsory, as it is considered likely to contribute significantly to the successful completion of postgraduate students’ studies. Information is provided by the Academic Advisor to the student during appointments arranged in advance between them.

Allocation of Students

Depending on the number of postgraduate students, the Coordinating Committee may assign Academic Advisor duties not only to faculty members but also to laboratory teaching staff, special teaching staff, special technical laboratory staff, holders of doctoral degrees, and emeritus or retired faculty members, provided that they teach in the MSc Programme. Students are allocated to Academic Advisors by decision of the Coordinating Committee. An Academic Advisor may supervise more than one student. The Programme Secretariat informs students of the appointment of their Academic Advisor and provides the Advisor’s contact details. The Academic Advisor works with the assigned students throughout their studies.

Duties of Academic Advisors

When first meeting a student, the Academic Advisor should record the student’s details and any other information considered important (e.g. whether the student has learning difficulties requiring an alternative form of assessment, or mobility difficulties requiring the recommendation of an easily accessible classroom, etc.). Each student’s record is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation and is confidential. The Academic Advisor’s role is advisory and supports students in their programme of study by guiding them towards achieving their objectives.

Students should feel free to discuss with their Academic Advisor any matter concerning their academic life, such as problems with courses, laboratories or practical training; matters relating to the Study Regulations; course selection; and even personal difficulties (family or health problems) that may affect their studies. The Academic Advisor will endeavor, as far as possible, to provide or suggest solutions to any problems that arise. The Academic Advisor is not, however, required to guarantee in advance that every problem can be resolved.

The Academic Advisor may also be the first person to contact a student at an instructor’s request and advise the student about their performance (for example, where the student has absences or is not performing well in courses) or discuss any matter that may be creating difficulties in the student’s studies, including issues involving an instructor (see also the REGULATIONS FOR COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS).

Depending on the student’s interests and desired career path, the Academic Advisor may also advise the student on the subject of the Master’s thesis. The Advisor may further assist the student and indicate possible career opportunities in the public or private sector, in self-employment, and even in positions abroad. The Advisor may also inform the student about services offered by the University to postgraduate students (International Relations Office, Erasmus+, student card, etc.).

Change of Academic Advisor

A student retains the same Academic Advisor until completion of their studies. The Academic Advisor may be replaced only for very serious reasons, following a recommendation by the Coordinating Committee.