Euro-Ages605040<strong>30</strong>BachelorMaster2010BachMas50454035<strong>30</strong>2520151050Gothenburg Lund Umeå Uppsala Stockholm0Gothenburgmarine geologyGothenburgtechnical geologyKristianstadLuleåFigure 1. Number <strong>of</strong> freshmen students (blue = Bachelor; red = Masters)in the Swedish universitiesFigure 2. Number <strong>of</strong> freshmen students (blue = Bachelor; red = Masters) in theSwedish geotechnical system<strong>30</strong> ECTS credits for each semester. 1 ECTScredit equals ~ <strong>30</strong> hours <strong>of</strong> workload. TheBachelor programme involves 180 ECTScredits and the Masters an additional 120ECTS credits. The structures <strong>of</strong> the differentcourses, as well as the learning outcomesand goals <strong>of</strong> education, have beenre-written according to the Bologna Process.All courses have learning outcomes.For each type <strong>of</strong> geological education onehas to complete particular courses to fulfillthe specific learning outcome for thechosen type <strong>of</strong> exam. Since Sweden hasnot yet graduated any students within theBologna Process, it will only be possibleto see the full outcome and its advantagesafter 2010.skills are promoted throughout the period<strong>of</strong> study.The learning outcomes in the field <strong>of</strong>Geology are not defined at a national level.It is entirely the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the individualHEI to define its own learning outcomesfor the geology programmes. Thereare no pr<strong>of</strong>essional bodies that defineadditional prerequisites. However, theinstitutional board at each HEI bases thelearning outcomes partly on expectations<strong>of</strong> national stake-holders. Sweden doesnot yet have a system for accreditation <strong>of</strong>geology programmes. The unemploymentrate among geologists is low in the countryand continues to decrease.Number <strong>of</strong> freshman students and graduatesin the countryThe total number <strong>of</strong> places <strong>of</strong>fered ingeology programmes by all universitiesin Sweden is around 250 per year but thetotal number <strong>of</strong> freshmen that finally jointhe programmes each year is only 100. Inparallel with the reduction <strong>of</strong> freshmenstudents, the number <strong>of</strong> study places hasincreased, and as a consequence the universitieshave specialized their teachingprogrammes in order to attract students.Besides the shorter Bachelor programme,most students choose to continuewith the two-year Masters (120 ECTScredits) in geology. The M.Sc. programmecovers nearly all aspects <strong>of</strong> geology, fromminerals to climate changes and the evolution<strong>of</strong> life. It aims to provide studentswith a broad knowledge <strong>of</strong> geology andexposure to areas on the cutting edge <strong>of</strong>research, a thorough understanding <strong>of</strong>the practical applications <strong>of</strong> geology, andtransferable and subject-specific skillsnecessary for academic research or entryinto various employment opportunities inprivate companies or governmental agencies.Training in writing and oral presentation© 2008, GACWe see solutionswhere others don’t.Why not mine into Golder’s resources in Europe –14 countries, 34 <strong>of</strong>fices, 850 pr<strong>of</strong>essionals.Specialising in mining, ground engineering and environmental solutions, Golder gives you globalreach and local presence on six continents. For over 45 years, Golder has built a rock-solidreputation on client service, innovative thinking and cost-effective solutions that work.A World <strong>of</strong> Capabilities Delivered Locally.Africa + 27 11 254 4800 | Asia + 62 21 252 1975 | Australasia + 61 7 3721 5400Europe +353 45 874411 | North America + 1 800 275 3281 | South America + 55 21 <strong>30</strong>95 9500Contact: Barry Balding bbalding@golder.com | solutions@golder.comwww.golder.com542_IRE_CWall_Press2.indd 14/28/08 9:12:16 AM40 <strong>European</strong> Geologist <strong>30</strong>
On regulations and renewalsRegulationsThe EFG Statutes and Regulations areimportant documents that underpin thesmooth running <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Federation</strong>. Inaddition, the statutes and regulations canbe used to demonstrate to members andother pr<strong>of</strong>essional organizations that EFGis organized and run in a structured andpr<strong>of</strong>essional manner.The Statues had remained unchangedfor most <strong>of</strong> the life <strong>of</strong> the EFG whilst theRegulations were last updated in 2002. In2008, Council decided that the time hadcome for a fundamental review <strong>of</strong> thesedocuments by the Registration Authority.The main reason that a review was deemednecessary was that a series <strong>of</strong> changesover the years had resulted in a number <strong>of</strong>inconsistencies, and that the regulationsno longer reflected the way that the EFGwanted to operate.This process has now been completedwith updated Statutes which are publishedon the EFG web site. The full set <strong>of</strong> regulationshas also now been completed and wasapproved by Council in May 2010.The main change that has arisen in theGeneralG1 Schedule <strong>of</strong> RegulationsG2 Statutes and Regulations: complianceG3 Publications and CommunicationsG4 Use <strong>of</strong> the Common SealG5 AwardsCode <strong>of</strong> EthicsC1 Code <strong>of</strong> EthicsC2 Grievance and Disciplinary ProceduresOperation <strong>of</strong> the <strong>European</strong> <strong>Federation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>N1 Membership <strong>of</strong> the EFGN2 Subscriptions and Fees for Members <strong>of</strong> EFGN3 Working Groups and Panels <strong>of</strong> ExpertsN4 Operation <strong>of</strong> the OfficeN5 Projects and ContractsN6 Financial ManagementN7 Election <strong>of</strong> OfficersN8 Council MeetingsN9 The Board<strong>European</strong> GeologistE1 Criteria for award <strong>of</strong> title <strong>of</strong> <strong>European</strong> GeologistE2 Procedure for award <strong>of</strong> title <strong>of</strong> <strong>European</strong> GeologistE3 National Vetting CommitteesE4 Licensed BodiesE5 Registration AuthorityE6 Continuing Pr<strong>of</strong>essional DevelopmentE7 Subscriptions and fees for <strong>European</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>review is that the regulations have beensplit into a series <strong>of</strong> separate documentswhich will make it much easier to maintainin the coming years. The schedule <strong>of</strong> regulationsis shown in the box below.The task <strong>of</strong> editing and updating thestatutes and regulations largely fell to BobChaplow my predecessor as Chair <strong>of</strong> theRegistration Authority, and the EFG oweshim a big vote <strong>of</strong> thanks for the hugecontribution this task has made to the pr<strong>of</strong>essionaloperation <strong>of</strong> EFG; thanks arealso due to those Council members whoassisted in the review process.RenewalsOne <strong>of</strong> the changes that the revision <strong>of</strong>the regulations has confirmed is for therenewal <strong>of</strong> the EurGeol. title to be nowmade on an annual basis, rather thanthe previous triennial arrangement. Thismeans that every EurGeol. has to provideall the details for renewal to the relevantLicensed body annually. A renewal consists<strong>of</strong> payment <strong>of</strong> the annual EurGeol. feeand the provision <strong>of</strong> a CPD record.The provision <strong>of</strong> an annual CPD returnis a requirement <strong>of</strong> maintaining your Eur-Geol. status. This return can either beelectronic or on apr<strong>of</strong>orma summarysheet sent on paperor as a <strong>pdf</strong> andalthough there is noparticular requiredformat, templatesare provided on theEFG web pages. Itis not necessaryfor all evidenceand documentationin support <strong>of</strong>the statement to beprovided.Once a returnis provided to theLicensed Body, theEurGeol. shouldassume that it hasbeen receivedand is satisfactoryunless thereis correspondenceto the contrary.A small number<strong>of</strong> returns are randomlyselected foraudit, and in thesecases the LicensedBody might call forfurther supportinginformation.CPD reports are sent to the relevantLicensed Body. This is either a NationalBody (IGI Ireland, ICOG Spain, CHGEOLSwitzerland and GSL UK) or the InternationalBody which is administered throughthe EFG Office in Brussels.David NorburyChair, EFG Registration AuthorityNews from SpainFirst Spanish Geological OlympiadGeology as a science, wishes to join theScientific Olympiad and in order to do so,several Spanish geological associations,coordinated by the Spanish Association forthe Teaching <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences (AEPECT),decided to organize the 1 st Spanish GeologicalOlympiad.This Olympiad was held for the firsttime internationally during the InternationalYear <strong>of</strong> Planet Earth (IYPE). Its firstcall took place at Seoul National University(Korea) in September 2007. AEPECTpresented the project to the IYPE Commissionbut funding failed, but the firstGeological Olympiad was carried out inSpain in the Basque Country in 2009. Theextraordinary success <strong>of</strong> this call encouragedus to promote this Olympiad at anational level.We aimed to stimulate students <strong>of</strong>Earth Sciences as well as to promote theadvancement and dissemination <strong>of</strong> geologyin today’s world. So that geology,as a branch <strong>of</strong> science with an enormouseducational value, can also have an importantcultural aspect. It is hoped that theGeological Olympiad, more than a mereexam, is turning into a true celebration<strong>of</strong> geology.During this first event, participationwas voluntary. Some regions had no participants,but the objective in future callsis a global participation so that we willbe able to attend the International GeologicalOlympiad. The regional phase wasconducted at the provincial level throughoutFebruary 2010 with 600 participatingstudents.Development <strong>of</strong> the national phase <strong>of</strong>the OlympiadThe national phase took place from 27-28March in Madrid (Figs 1&2), with theparticipation <strong>of</strong> three winners from theregional phase. During this first part <strong>of</strong>the competition, participants had to demonstratetheir knowledge by answeringquestions at the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Geology inMadrid.EFG News and Events 2010<strong>European</strong> Geologist <strong>30</strong>41