Introduction to the field of karstology provides a course entitled Fundamentals of Karstology; it is compulsory for all the master students of the programme Earth and Environmental Sciences and addresses general knowledge of karst phenomena. In addition, the module consists of three compulsory courses focused on basic research of karst, i.e. geology, geomorphology and hydrogeology of karst. The latter are supplemented by five elective courses that address specific and deepened knowledge of karst phenomena from theoretical as well as applicable perspective. Lectures are primarily given by internationally skilled researchers from Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU with different educational backgrounds that enhance diversification of the module from the viewpoint of different approaches. While compulsory courses are rather general and strongly theoretical, specifics and applicability are more and more pronounced during study. All courses include lectures and individual work as well as field work, which is supplemented in some courses with laboratory work. Karst phenomena related to biology and microbiology can be selected as elective courses in the module Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, while deeper study of carbonates is available within elective courses in the module Paleobiology and Sedimentary Geology.

Goals of the module:

• acknowledgement with general and specific multi- and interdisciplinary research of karst, especially in the field of natural sciences, development of capabilities to understand and relate different disciplinary content;
• acknowledgement of diversified mixture of methodological approaches developed by variety of scientific disciplines in the field of karstology;
• horizontal interconnection of knowledge of different disciplines, also with complementary two other modules of this master study;
• vertical deepening of knowledge, also by integration of other relevant study programmes;
• gathering of theoretical and practical experiences during study;
• development of capability of critical thinking and research work with modern methodological approaches of data gathering, analyses and interpretation;
• development of competences of independent research work, transfer of knowledge in practice and dissemination of research findings (seminar, lecture, defense of thesis).