splosna brosura ang pop3 - ung.si

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University of Nova Gorica 3 Organisational Structure 5 School of Environmental Sciences 8 School of Engineering and Management 10School of Applied Sciences 13 School of Humanities 18School for Viticulture and Enology 26 Graduate School 28 Environmental Sciences 29 Material Characterization 30 Physics 31 Karstology 33 Intercultural Studies-Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures 35 Economics and Techniques for The Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage 37 Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology 39Laboratory for Environmental Research 42 Laboratory for Astroparticle Physics 46 Laboratory for Epitaxy and Nanostructures 49 Laboratory for Multiphase Processes 50 Centre for Atmospheric Research 52Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiology 54Centre for Systems and Information Technologies 56Institute for Cultural Studies 58 Library 60 Book Publishing 62 Edvard Rusjan Foundation 63 Primorska Technology Park 64 Public Events 65

Contents

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The activities of the University of Nova Gorica are dedicated to searching for scientific truth and educating young and talented people. Uni-

Introduction / Dear Friends

versity of Nova Gorica comprises six schools and eight research centres. Our university consists of world-class researchers and scholars aiming to create modern educational programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.We closely collaborate with similar university in-stitutions around the world. University of Nova Gorica strongly promotes interdisciplinary re-search and exchange programmes in coopera-tion between industry and the academic world with the hopes of creating a better society, both on the local and broader global levels.I hope this brochure will encourage you to join us and fulfil the ambitions you may want to realize. prof. dr. Danilo ZavrtanikPresident

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University of Nova Gorica

University of Nova Gorica is an institution of higher education which conducts scientific re-search and offers educational study programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The activities began in the 1995-1996 academic year as the first international postgraduate school in Slovenia, the School of Environmental Sciences, was established. The school was found-ed by the Jožef Stefan Institute of Ljubljana, and

the Municipality of Nova Gorica. Due to the in-troduction of new study programmes and new research areas, the school was re-organized in 1998 and was renamed Nova Gorica Polytechnic. In 2006, the institution gained university status and thus University of Nova Gorica was born. The founders of the present University of Nova Gorica are: the Municipality of Nova Gorica, the Municipality of Ajdovščina, the Jožef Stefan

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Institute and the Scientific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Today, education is performed within six schools: the School of Environmental Sciences, the School of Engineering and Management, the School of Humanities, the School of Applied Sciences, the School of Viticulture and Enology and the Graduate School with the following graduate programmes: Material Characterisation, Environment Sciences, Eco-nomics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage, Intercultural Studies – Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures, Karstology, Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology. Research is per-formed in four laboratories: the Laboratory for Environmental Research, the Laboratory for Astroparticle Physics, the Laboratory for Epitaxy and Nanostructures, the Laboratory for Multiphase Processes; in three centres: the Centre for Atmospheric Research, the Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiology, the Centre for System and Information Technologies and at an institute – the Institute for Cultural Studies. A modern Library holds textbooks, technical and scholarly literature, and provides materi-als issued by the University of Nova Gorica Book Publishing.

A link to the local economy has been estab-lished through the Primorska Technology Park. The Technology Park connects technologically innovative businesses fostering the transfer of knowledge and the development of initiatives into the entrepreneurial environment.Knowing the importance of a stable and foresee-able financial flow, the Edvard Rusjan Foundation was established, the mission of which is to pro-vide continuous and thorough development of the activities performed by University of Nova Gorica.

Through the wide range of complementary and mutually enriching pursuits, the organization strives to obtain the highest quality standards of research and education and ensure their wholesome integration in the Primorska region, Slovenia and across borders.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 23Fax: +386 5 331 52 24E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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UNDERGRADUATESTUDY

GRADUATESTUDY

School of Engineeringand Management

School ofHumanities

School ofEnvironmental Sciences

School ofApplied Sciences

School ofViticulture and

Enology

Graduate School

Edvard RusjanFoundation

AdministrationStudentsOffice

PublisherLibrary

PrimorskaTechn. Park

President

Senate

Provost

Int. AdvisoryCouncil

ADMINISTRATION

EDUCATION RESEARCH

SUPPORT

GoverningBoard

StudentCouncil

InternationalOffice

Centre for Systemsand InformationTechnologies

Laboratory forEpitaxy and

Nanostructures

Laboratory forAstroparticle

Physics

Laboratory forEnvironmental

Research

Laboratory forMultiphaseProcesses

Centre forAtmosphericResearch

Centre forEnvironmental andSports Physiology

Institute forCulturalStudies

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Senateprof. dr. Boštjan Žekš, member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

prof. dr. Iztok Arčon

prof. dr. Franc Bizjak

prof. dr. Gvido Bratina

prof. dr. Mladen Franko

prof. dr. Andrej Kranjc, member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

prof. dr. Oto Luthar

prof. dr. Stanko Strmčnik

prof. dr. Tanja Urbančič

Andreja Palatinus, Student Representative

Provostprof. dr. Boštjan Žekš, member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

Student council Andreja Palatinus, School of Environmental Sciences

Aleš Boškin, Graduate school

Nika Gregorič, School for Viticulture and Enology

Rok Jež, School for Viticulture and Enology

Kristina Kosič, School of Engineering and Management

Katja Krkoč, School of Humanities

Urška Kugonič, School of Environmental Sciences

Jasna Ušaj, School of Humanities

Governing board Borut Lavrič, J. Stefan Institute, Ljubljana

Ivo Boscarol, Ajdovščina Municipality

prof. dr. Rado Riha, ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana

prof. dr. Samo Stanič, University of Nova Gorica

doc. dr. Urška Lavrenčič Štangar,

University of Nova Gorica

Robert Žerjal, Nova Gorica Municipality

Kristina Kosič, Student Representative

Presidentprof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

International advisory councilprof. dr. Alfonso Franciosi, Sincrotrone Trieste, Italia

prof. dr. Werner Hofmann, University of Salzburg, Austria

prof. dr. Giorgio Margaritondo, EPFL, Switzerland

prof. dr. Soren L. Nielsen, Roskilde University, Denmark

prof. dr. Corrado Sarzanini, University of Torino, Italia

Schools

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School of Environmental Sciences

School of Environmental Sciences was estab-lished in 1995 as the predecessor of former Nova Gorica Polytechnic and today’s University of Nova Gorica. The School of Environmental Sciences offers the undergraduate study pro-gramme Environmental Studies. The school’s activities are closely related to those of the Laboratory of Environmental Research, which provides most of the teaching staff, research environment and infrastructure for the practi-cal training of students.

Dean: prof. dr. Mladen Franko Undergraduate Study Programme ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

The Environmental Studies undergraduate study programme offers courses and practical train-ing in all the major fields of environmental sci-ences, such as water, soil and air pollution, as well as their chemical, physical and biological effects, ecotoxicology, the health aspects of en-vironmental pollution, waste treatment and the consequences of waste disposal, measurement techniques for determining and monitoring pollution, environmental impact assessment, as well as environmental sociology, psychology, economics and law. The objective of the study programme is to educate experts who will be capable of working on multidisciplinary projects concerning environment in the industrial, legis-lative, administrative and research fields on the local, national and international levels.The study programme lasts eight semesters. The students have the opportunity to par-ticipate in the international student exchange schemes based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) as well as in research activities at several universities and research institutions in Slovenia and abroad. University of Nova Gorica grants the title “uni-verzitetni diplomirani ekolog” (comparable to

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BSc in Environmental Sciences) to students who successfully complete their studies.Language of instruction: Slovene

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 95Fax: + 386 5 331 52 96E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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School of Engineering and Management

Dean: prof. dr. Tanja Urbančič

Effective management of modern business requires not only experts in individual fields, such as electrical engineering, mechanical en-gineering, computer science, but also experts who have an interdisciplinary knowledge of engineering, management and economics. In 1998/99 the School of Engineering and Management there-fore created a study programme in In-dustrial engineering management and economics. For the academic year 2007/08 the programme has been renovated to meet the recom-mendations of Bolo-gna declaration. At the same time, the name of the course was changed to Engineer-ing and Management and complemented with a two year master programme. The course offers versatile knowledge which enables graduates to provide complex solu-tions for managerial, engineering and economic

problems in a company. The study of Engineer-ing and Management at the University of Nova Gorica is further distinguished by its emphasis on the practical implementation of knowledge (tutorials, seminars, industrial placement). An important contribution to the quality of study lies in a relatively small number of students per teacher which makes an individual assessment

of student’s interest possible.The School offers ca-reer and employment advice. Over the past few years 94% of our graduates have been able to find a job within the first year after completing th-eir studies.

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The programme is realised as a full or part-time course of studies. Full-time study lasts six semes-ters and includes lectures, tutorials, industrial placement and diploma project. Upon comple-tion of the studies, stu-dents receive the title “diplomiran gospodar-ski inženir” (adequate to BSc in Engineering and Management) which is a state recognised pro-fessional higher educa-tion degree.The programme cov-ers general courses, a wide range of specialised courses in engineer-ing, management and organisational sciences, as well as specialised electives dedicated to ef-ficient communication and successful collabo-ration. The fifth semester involves a tutored industrial work-placement session where the application of knowledge to practice is em-phasised.

A graduate is able to provide solutions for man-aging, engineering and economic problems in a company, and can cover the following areas

of work: management of technological and business systems; plan-ning, managing and assessing investment projects; planning stra-tegic and operational development; market-ing of industrial prod-ucts and engineering services, etc.


Bachelor’s Programme ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT (first level)

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The undergraduate study programme in Engi-neering and Management is supplemented by a master programme in the same field.

The syllabus has a distinct interdisciplinary and research character. It covers all the major fields of management and economics, as well as tech-nology and engineering, information sciences and environmental sciences. The programme consists of five compulsory subjects, two oblig-atory elective subjects, three elective subjects, group and individual projects.

The study course is organised as a series of short intensive courses, seminars and laboratory ex-ercises. The faculty offers students a continual support in the form of individual advice and guid-ance. Typically, students are given advice con-

cerning their study and career needs, including guidance on how to choose appropriate courses or subjects and find suitable employment.


Master’s Programme ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT (second level)

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School of Applied Sciences

Dean: prof. dr. Gvido Bratina

The School of Applied Sciences is currently offer-ing two academic programmes in the field of ap-plied physics: I level Engineering Physics and II level Experimental Physics. Both programmes offer stu-

dents the chance to obtain practical knowledge by working in small groups, which enable direct and informal exchanges between students and faculty members (professors, teaching assistants, etc.). Both programmes are offered at the new building at the University campus in Ajdovščina.

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Bachelor’s Programme ENGINEERING PHYSICS (first level)

The academic programme Engineering Physics builds a bridge between basic theoretical knowl-edge of physics and its use in technology and sci-ence. The content of the courses is enriched with numerous examples from everyday life with a special emphasis on industrial applications. The content of fundamental courses (mathematics, physics) is tailored to enable students to obtain the necessary basic knowledge without in-depth proofs and first principle derivations. The aca-demic programme is focused on measurement techniques in various fields, which are explored in courses Measurement techniques I and II as well as within the specific experimental course Physical laboratory. The latter course, in its purpose and content (performing experiments in industrial

research and development sectors) enables stu-dents to become familiar with practical problems in research and development industrial sectors throughout their three years of study. The academic programme covers the education and training of experts in fields which are of vi-tal importance to all industrial companies with

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the need for performing precise measurements, which places the programme among those which provide expertise in various areas of high technol-ogy. Students graduating from the I level will ob-tain sufficient basic practical knowledge to gain employment in measurement and R&D industrial departments. Students will come in contact with various fields of physics to the extent as to enable them to continue their studies and deepen their knowledge in the graduate academic programme Experimental Physics at the University of Nova Gorica as well as academic programmes offered at other universities. Graduating students will be able to find employ-ment in industrial measurement laboratories, government consulting jobs and research labora-tories. Upon graduation, they will be in a position to independently execute various measurement techniques and lead smaller groups of technical co-workers. The academic programme has a du-ration of six semesters. The number of available places is currently limited to 30.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 365 35 00 Fax: +386 5 365 35 27 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.ung.si/en/

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Master’s Programme EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS (second level)

The academic programme Experimental physics builds on the knowledge obtained in Engineering Physics. While the programme Engineering Physics offers broad knowledge in the field of applied physics with a wide span of possible employment in engineering fields, the programme Experimental Physics offers, on the one hand, a firm theoretical basis for continuing studies toward a PhD and on the other hand, specific competencies which graduating students will be able to apply in R&D industrial sectors as well as in scientific fields. Both modules of the academic programme, Solid State Physics and High Energy Physics are experi-mentally oriented. Along with general scientific

advancement and the rise of a technologically oriented culture, the emphasis on experimental techniques and work using the newest technology offers graduating students a competitive edge in the global market of knowledge and consequently successful work in the Slovenian economy. Possible employment for graduating students spans leadership positions in industrial devel-opment laboratories and government positions requiring technical and scientific expertise. Furthermore, they will easily be able to participate in experimental work in various research labo-

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ratories. The duration of the programme is four semesters. The number of available places is cur-rently limited to 20.


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School of Humanities

Dean: prof. dr. Oto Luthar

In 2006, the Nova Gorica Polytechnic became a full-fledged university and the Stanislav Škrabec School of Slovenian Studies expanded to become the School of Humanities. Now, it offers three independent study programmes in humanities, partly also covering social sciences. The three Bologna-type programmes, approved by the Council of Higher Education of the Re-public of Slovenia, are Cultural History, the in-ternational Master’s in Migrations and Inter-cultural Relations, and the original programme Slovenian Studies. As the titles of the study pro-grammes suggest, the School of Humanities of-fers a healthy combination of classic topics in the humanities amplified by some more recent innovations in the field. We strive to provide exquisite programmes and to fulfil high-quality standards both professionally and pedagogi-cally. All of us are actively involved in designing and teaching programmes that will equip our students with skills and knowledge for further university studies, and for professional and sci-entific work in Slovenia and abroad. The programmes introduce new, unparalleled methodologies in the humanities in Slovenia. We are educating the students to conduct re-search, to act and react both locally and globally,

and eloquently to convey their knowledge to their colleagues and the general public. Most of our teachers are young but already experts in their fields. Many of them received part of their academic training abroad, where they continue to be involved in various scientific projects. Ac-tive involvement in international scientific and academic networks allows us to stay in touch with the global development of the various scientific fields we work in. This model will re-main our foundation and orientation for the new programmes in the future. Following the old saying Animus facit nobilem, we will offer the knowledge and skills that are not available anywhere else.

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Bachelor’s Programme SLOVENIAN STUDIES (first level)

Programme Director: doc. dr. Matejka Grgič

The Slovenian Studies is the first programme in humanities offered by the University of Nova Gorica. Initially designed as a 4-year programme, it was remodelled according to the Bologna decla-ration. In the academic year 2007/2008, we are starting the new 3-year first level programme Slovenian Studies, and the new second level/2-year Master’s degree. In the year 2008/2009, another second level/2-year Master’s is about to start. The Slovenian Studies curriculum is not replicating any ex-isting curricula. It offers new approaches, new areas of study, and new methodology. Offering electives spanning from general linguistics to literary theory, we are bridging the traditional division between linguistic and literary sciences. We investigate linguistic and literary phenom-ena with methods unknown in Slovenia. The vast number of electives is meant to familiarise the students with the areas and topics they will

encounter at work and in future studies. The lec-turers encourage the students to start their in-dividual research early on. Apart from research, the students have an option to take courses in various arts (painting, music, drama, etc.), cul-tural history and other humanities and social sci-

ences. Thus we believe a smoother transition to the research-orient-ed second level study programmes or to the study programme for elementary and high-school teachers can be provided. Gradu-ates seeking employ-ment right after the first level programme may choose between various practical skills they will need in their

job (computers, editing, publishing…). The University of Nova Gorica curriculum is also closely linked to the local environment: students familiarise themselves with the dynamics of in-tercultural influences, the neighbouring culture itself, and the methods we use to study these phenomena. The curriculum is comparable to the curricula around the world, yet also unique

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and interesting for anyone interested in general linguistics, literary theory, foreign languages, comparative literature, etc. This provides our stu-dents with a broad and solid basis for their pos-sible postgraduate education or employment-seeking abroad. We are constantly enhancing the curriculum with new and updated courses that reflect the developments in the field, the needs of the society, and invaluable students’ suggestions. The remodelled 3-year programme is based on the European credit points system – ECTS. This allows the students to conduct part of their study anywhere else in the world.


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Programme Director: doc. dr. Matejka Grgič

This is a new two-year Master’s offering two in-dependent modules in linguistics: Language and Communication. The Language module offers mostly topics related to theoretical linguistics and its applications. Communication mod-ule, on the other hand, dealing with language and communication, combines humanities and social sciences. Each year, students se-lect two courses from one module and one course from the other. The 6 remaining ECTS can be gained by select-ing a course from the Master’s programmes both inside and outside the University, provided that it contributes to the overall coherence of the degree. During their first year, the students are required to take three compulsory courses in core linguistics: Semantics, Syntax, and Phonetics/Phono-logy, and three electives from the two modules. The electives may be selected from advanced classes in syntax, phonology,

semantics, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, computational linguistics, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, etc. Moreover, the students can also choose from related courses in logic, analytic philosophy, rhetoric, semiotics, new media, etc. Special attention is paid to in-

dividual research. The students are engaged in research from the very beginning: how to choose a problem, how to approach it, how to think about it and its possible solu-tion, and how to argue it, and how to present their findings. During their second year, the students again choose a mod-ule, but devote most

of their time to research for their MA disser-tation. The main features of the Master’s in Linguistics are modern linguistic methodolo-gies, the ties with the local intercultural envi-ronment, the ties we have with many institu-tions around the world, and the compatibility of our programme with the ECTS. Our certificate is therefore internationally recognised and allows

Master’s Programme SLOVENIAN STUDIES – LINGUISTICS (second level)

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the students to seek employment in European research, educational, academic or governmen-tal institutions. The University of Nova Gorica is proud to offer this programme, administered by established young researchers and lecturers from Slovenia and abroad.


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Programme Director: doc. dr. Petra Svoljšak

In the academic year 2007/2008, the School of Humanities is starting a new first level under-graduate programme in Cultural History. This is an original and innovative programme based on the Slovenian historical tradi-tion where culture is predomi-nantly understood as the cen-tre of national identity. Cul-tural history is therefore one of the core humanistic studies in Slovenia that only became a separate programme at Uni-versity of Nova Gorica. This is a 3-year programme designed according to the Bologna dec-laration. In the academic year 2008/2009, we will also start a 2-year second level Mas-ter’s programme. The Cultural History programme is com-prised of topics that provide the students with necessary knowledge needed for a historian with an un-dergraduate degree. The programme aims to educate professionals who could work in cul-tural, research, or governmental institutions. The programme focuses on cultural history, his-

tory of ideas and ideologies, and intellectual de-velopment. It also includes all the key elements of historical culture based on the theories of historiography and other related historical sci-ences. An important part of the programme is also prehistory, which is of great importance

for this region (County of Go-rizia). This programme also includes several other areas (history of law, history of reli-gion, history of agriculture, in-tellectual history, cultural her-itage, etc.), which are unique in Slovenia. In addition to the wide selection of electives, this programme also offers a selection of foreign language courses. The lecturers will encourage the students not only to get theoretical but also practi-cal knowledge. Moreover, the students will be directed to research topics related to the

local environment but with global implications, which will lead towards the future internation-al collaboration. During the 3-year programme, the students can select the pedagogical module that will equip them with necessary knowledge

Bachelor’s Programme CULTURAL HISTORY (first level)

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to become elementary or high school teach-ers. There are also several other specialty pro-grammes that lead to further studies in various humanistic and social sciences. The programme is tightly bound to the local environment – the meeting point of the Slavic, Romance, and Ger-manic parts of Europe. The programme’s curriculum is constantly changing and being updated, according to new scientific discoveries, the changing needs of the society, and the students’ suggestions. The ba-sic knowledge of history enriched with relevant research and practical experience, familiarity with the principal methods, and fluency in at least one modern language (al ECTS credited), will give the students equal opportunity to en-ter any other related study programme at home or abroad.


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Programme Director: doc. dr. Marina Lukšič Hacin

The Joint Master’s in Migration and Intercul-tural Relations postgraduate programme was created in collaboration with the University of Stavanger in Norway, The Free University of Lis-bon, the University of Oldenburg in Germany, and with the financial support of the European Union. It is one of the first European international joint degree programmes, which is partly based online and partly on the 3-week intensive introduc-tory seminar at one of the partici-pating schools. The main goal of the programme is to educate pro-fessionals who will have enough theoretical, methodological, and empirical knowledge (emphasis is on interdisciplinary approach-es and transcultural aspects of migrations) to lead or independently conduct scientific research projects. Since they will have access to practical experience with immigrants in intercultural environment, they will be able critically to observe the current migration stud-ies, the ongoing praxis, and the strategies em-ployed in various migration and integration

policies. Equipped with these skills they should be able to shape and conduct the actual migra-tion processes. The Master’s in Migrations and intercultural relations started in the autumn of 2006. The next enrolment will be in the au-tumn of 2008. Thereafter, the programme will run on an annual basis. For more information visit: www.migrationhistory.com/ms


Master’s Programme MIGRATION AND INTERCULTURAL RELATIONS (second level)

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School for Viticulture and Enology

Head: prof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Bachelor’s Programme VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY (first level)

The study programme Viticulture and Enology is the first programme in Slovenia that empha-sizes the integration of grape-growing, win-emaking and wine marketing. The programme proposal was prepared in collaboration with the National Institute of Biology, the Jožef Ste-fan Institute, the Scientific Research Centre of Slovenian Academy of Science and Art, the Ag-ricultural Institute of Slovenia, and the Instituto Sperimentale per la Nutrizione delle Piante from Gorizia, Italy.The study programme provides students with fundamental and professional knowledge. Lec-tures are complemented with practical work ex-perience in laboratories, vineyards and wineries. Different curriculum choices enable students to major in viticulture or enology. Elective subjects can also be chosen from any other academic programme that meets the required criteria. The study programme lasts six semesters. The programme implements the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to facilitate academic recognition, create curriculum transparency and encourage student exchanges within Slovenia

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and abroad. To obtain professional title “diplo-miran inženir (ka) vinogradništva in vinarstva (VS)” (comparable to BSc in Viticulture and Enol-ogy) students must gather 180 credits (60 cred-its each year). The study ends with the defense of the graduation thesis.Graduates from this programme will be able to manage wine estates; they can work in nurs-ery production, analytical services or coopera-tive wineries. They will be able to evaluate new technologies and their applicability in the local environment. The knowledge gained will enable them to readily adapt to changes in the local and global markets, as well as to technological changes. Students who will have obtained the programme’s Bachelor’s degree can continue their studies at the graduate level leading to a specialist, Masters or Doctoral Degree.


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Dean: prof. dr. Iztok Arčon

Graduate School joins and carries out all gradu-ate (doctoral) study programmes of the Uni-versity of Nova Gorica. United Graduate School with closely linked study programmes enables a large possibility of choice and interdiscipli-narity in forming individual doctoral study pro-grammes. Applying European accumulation and transfer credit system (ECTS), each student can select most appropriate courses for his research orientation from a vast palette offered by com-plementary graduate study programmes.

Individual study programmes are closely linked with research laboratories, centers and insti-tutes at University of Nova Gorica or other re-

Graduate school

search institutions in Slovenia or abroad, where graduate students can perform their research work or have the opportunity to participate in the international research projects and proc-esses. In this way a very effective transfer of knowledge to younger generations is enabled and, at the same time, new knowledge is devel-oped in a harmonic relation between students, professors and researchers in the laboratories.

Graduate School is thus not only a place where graduate study programmes are carried out, but in the first place a creative environment where students, researchers and experts from different fields and institutions meet with a common goal to create new basic and applied knowledge.

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Programme Director: prof. dr. Mladen Franko

The graduate study programme leads to a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in environmental sciences. The syllabus is distinctly interdisci-plinary and research-oriented. The objective of the programme is to educate experts with interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in basic and applied research on environment. Since the need for such interdisciplinary stud-ies exists elsewhere in Europe and throughout the world, the proposed courses are designed to be internationally com-parable. The participa-tion of distinguished foreign professors from Europe and USA as well as enrolment of Slovene and foreign students with diverse educational background create an inspiring environment for such interdisciplinary studies.The Master’s course lasts two and a half years, the course leading to a Doctoral Degree four years. The study is based on a system that de-fines the required number of credits for each de-gree. Such organisation allows the exchange of

courses from recognized institutions around the world. Students are ancouraged and given the opportunity to conduct research at laboratories at University of Nova Gorica and at renown Slov-ene as well as foreign institutions.University of Nova Gorica grants the title “mag-ister znanosti” (comparable to Master of Sci-ence) or “doktor znanosti” (comparable to Doc-tor of Science) with accompanying documents

given to students who successfully complete their studies.Language of instruction: English


ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES graduate study programme

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Programme Director: prof. dr. Gvido Bratina

Materials Characterization is an international programme that joins distinguished experts from the field of characterization and properti-es of advanced materials such as semiconductors, polymers and liquid crystals. The programme grants M.Sc. and Ph.D. degress. The target audience consists of researchers who need advanced knowledge on properties of mo-dern materials and characteriza-tion techniques. The admission is open to students with university degrees in physics, chemistry, material science and electronics. The European Credit Transfer System is employed to evaluate the courses. The credits may be transferred within the school sy-stem of University of Nova Gori-ca as well as between other insti-tutions of higher education. Stu-dents may select courses from the groups of core courses, gene-ral electives and specialized elec-tives. The latter are organized in four groups: Electronic and Che-

mical Properties of Materials, Advanced Materials and Devices, Thin Films and Interfaces, and Mo-delling of Materials and Processes. Lectures are gi-ven in short one-month periods which are conc-luded with exams. The research work required

for the thesis may be performed in the Laboratories of University of Nova Gorica or in laboratories selected by both the student and his/her advisor. The lecturers re-sponsible for the courses are top experts in their respective fields and are coming from European union and the United States of America. This ensures top quality and international recognition of the programme Materials Cha-racterisation. Language of instruction: English.


MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION graduate study programme

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Programme Director: prof. dr. Gvido Bratina

The academic programme Physics is the final programme offered at the University of Nova Gorica in the field of physics. As the level of education increases, the student becomes more specialised and employ-ment opportunities be-come more focused on research positions. The PhD programme Physics is intended for students who wish to deepen their knowledge in the field of new materials and their properties and characteri-zation methods, which fo-cus on acquiring informa-tion regarding electronic, structural, and chemical properties of materials at the atomic and molecular level and numerical met-hods for modelling pro-cesses, which govern phase transformations in materials and finally, high energy physics, which focuses on modern cosmology and astro-physics of elementary particles.

PhD Programme PHYSICS (third level)

The main goal of the academic programme Physics is to educate and train future top scien-tists, which will have a high level of expertise in experimental techniques in various fields of physics. Their career path will be focused on

performing high level tasks in research institutes and universities. The exact con-tents of the academic and research programme of each student are determi-ned on an individual basis. The large majority of co-urses will be taught on an individual basis or in small groups. Horizontal exchan-ges are possible through the credit system, which enables enrolment in cour-ses offered by the Gradua-te School at the University of Nova Gorica as well as at other universities. Professors teaching gradu-ate courses are internatio-

nal experts in the fields of physics, mathema-tics, and material science. Among them is also the president of the Slovenian Academy of Sci-ences and Arts.

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Students graduating from the academic pro-gramme Physics will be able to find employ-ment at research institutes and universities, where they will be able to pursue an academic career in the field of physical science. Within in-dustrial development sectors, they will be able to attain the highest leadership levels concer-ning the development of new technologies and products as well as the strategical development of the company.


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Programme Director: doc. dr. Andrej Kranjc, member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts

The graduate study in Karstology is aimed at graduates with Bachelor’s degrees in various subjects, who would like to gain an in-depth insight into the widely integrated system of sci-entific study on karst in order to become karst experts, be it researchers or managers. Hence

the programme of study offers a wider, funda-mental insight into karstology from various as-pects (e.g. geological structure, surface, subter-ranean research, waters), but it also provides an in-depth approach into more specialised fields of karstology (e.g. the use and maintenance of

KARSTOLOGY graduate study programme

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karst waters). This is reflected in the structure of the study programme, since the fundamentals of karstology are covered in the first year of stud-ies, with optional modules being offered in the second year of studies. Graduate students can

transfer their knowledge and skills obtained dur-ing the Master’s course to the institutions which perform research in the field of karst, or manage it. The Master’s course is run and taught by dis-tinguished Slovene and foreign experts.The main educational and professional goal is to form two types of karstologists. The first is the “karstologist-researcher”, who has to be able to perform autonomous research of karst and karst phenomena from different points of view, depending on the research itself and the needs. The second type is the “karstologist-user” or the decision maker, who has to be able to absorb different kinds of knowledge on karst from spe-

cialists and to apply it to practical use (economy, education, nature protection, etc.).The programme offers two options – a Master’s and a Doctoral course of studies. In the former, the programme lasts two years, and leads to the title of “Master of Science”. In the latter, the pro-gramme takes four years, and leads to the title “Doctor of Science”.Languages of instructions: Slovene and/or English.

Contact InformationKarst Research InstituteZRC SAZU PostojnaPhone: +386 5 700 19 00Fax: + 386 5 700 19 99E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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Programme Director: prof. dr. Borut Telban

The graduate programme Intercultural Studies: Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures, provided by the Sci-entific Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SRC-SASA, Ljubljana), is based on an intellectual ex-change among Slovene and foreign university educators, re-searchers and students from the fields of humanities and social sciences. Researchers, university educators and students from the fields of philosophy, history, ethnol-ogy, folklore studies, anthropology, art history, linguistics, literary studies and sociology par-ticipate in the studies.

The programme combines several traditional and classical approaches, but it also goes be-yond conventional disciplines and cultural boundaries by using interdisciplinary and com-parative approaches, and by considering prob-lems in their historical, social and political con-texts. It further engages in the critical analyses of current problems at the global level.

Students will become acquainted with the main ideas, concepts and practices which continue

to shape contemporary Europe as well as other parts of the world. Students will

come to recognise the mutual de-pendence of bi- and multi-lateral processes of cultural exchanges, and confront the current dialec-tical relation between the super-

ficially static nature of tradition and the constantly changing life-

world, between sameness and diver-sity, between local characteristics and

global trends.

The basic aim of the programme Intercultural Studies: Comparative Studies of Cultures and Ideas is to ensure the highest quality acquisi-tion of knowledge at the graduate level, based on the exchange of ideas between domestic and foreign university lecturers, researchers and students active in the humanities.

INTERCULTURAL STUDIES-COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF IDEAS AND CULTURES graduate study programme

36

The following modules are offered in the post-graduate study programme at the Institute for the Study of Ideas and Cultures:• Slovene Studies – tradition and modernity Module coordinator: doc. dr. Marjetka Golež

Kaučič• National Memory in Historical Perspective Module coordinator: prof. dr. Oto Luthar • The Transformation of Modern thought – Phi-

losophy, Psychoanalysis, Culture Module coordinator: prof. dr. Rado Riha• Anthropology of Health, Illness and Treatment

Module coordinator: prof. dr. Borut Telban

Contact InformationPhone: +386 1 470 64 51, +386 1 470 64 15E-mail: [email protected]://isik.zrc-sazu.si

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Programme Director: dr. Saša Dobričič

The international graduate study programme Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage is the result of a joint ef-fort between University of Nova Gorica and University IUAV of Venice in collabo-ration with universities of: Naples, Paris, Udine and Hamburg.

The programme is based on an interdisciplinary ap-proach that links engineer-ing and architectural with economic and legal knowl-edge, in order to integrate the heritage conservation theories. The programme is subdivided into two spe-cialisation courses: Tech-niques and Materials, Eco-nomics and Management. In the first part of the programme the lectures are common, stressing on fundamental conser-vation theories, introduction of international organisations through the analysis of inter-

PhD Programme ECONOMICS and TECHNIQUES FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL and ENVIRONMENTAL HERITAGE (third level)

national case studies and overview of general European legislation.

The specialisation in Techniques and Materi-als aims at training highly qualified field ex-

perts with good theoretical background, which is mainly focused on technical skills, such as: knowledge of structural characteristics and his-toric building materials and techniques, survey

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and diagnostic, decision making on intervention approaches and building site administration. The specialisation key activities are focused on the design and implementation of the conser-vation - restoration project.

The specialisation in Economics and Manage-ment trains highly skilled experts in the field of economics of culture and art, and manage-ment of cultural heritage, for the development of sustainable policies in the field of safeguard-ing and valorisation of the cultural heritage. The key topics of this specialisation are: criti-cal comparison of European and international legislation guidelines for cultural heritage and cultural activities, economic valorization meth-odologies and evaluation of public cultural her-itage, cultural tourism, integrated development strategies for the promotion, management and development of cultural heritage markets.

Within the frame of a 3 year PhD course (180 ECTS), the programme incorporates one year second level Master course (60 ECTS). The final joint diploma will be issued by the founders of the programme. The lecturers are univer-sity teachers and top experts in their respective fields, coming from outstanding international research institutions, thus ensuring and en-

hancing multidisciplinary exchange between professional knowledge, educational methods and research activities. The official language is English, the lecturing is held partly in other Eu-ropean languages, at the Venetian premises of the University of Nova Gorica.

Contact InformationPhone: +390415299662, +390415299663Fax: +390415299664E-mail: [email protected]://www.iuav.ithttp://www.ung.si/en/

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Programme Director: dr. Helena Šterlinko Grm

International graduate programme Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology is the result of a joint effort with The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) from Trieste, Italy. The structure of the programme is based on experimental labora-tory work, which is the ba-sis for the doctoral thesis. The course lasts 3 years (180 ECTS) and the title of PhD is granted by University of Nova Gorica. The programme is expected to provide graduate stu-dents with all the neces-sary means to understand a scientific investigation in the field of life sciences, develop independent thought and critical view, personal responsibility and decision making.Student’s projects are normally a continuation, along different lines, of the wider research pro-gramme of the hosting group. Scientific activ-ity focuses on several advanced research pro-grammes that include basic science projects such as control of gene expression, DNA replica-

tion, DNA repair and RNA processing; studies on human viruses, molecular immunology, molecu-lar genetics, experimental haematology and hu-man gene therapy. Other projects are carried out in the fields of bacteriology and yeast genetics, protein structure and bioinformatics, plant virol-

ogy and bacteriology.The range of skills acquired during the period of studies can be briefly summarized as follows:• core knowledge in differ-

ent fields of molecular biology and biotechnol-ogy (i.e. molecular immu-nology; RNA processing, translation and transcrip-tion; DNA replication, re-combination and repair; proteomics; bacteriology;

genetics of yeast; molecular pathology; virol-ogy; protein structure and bioinformatics);

• transferable skills (communication training, information technology, data analysis);

• research skills;• laboratory practice.According to our view, a doctorate is no longer just about producing a thesis. It’s about the pro-duction of a competent researcher. Under the

PhD Programme MOLECULAR GENETICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (third level)

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graduate programme Molecular Genetics and Bi-otechnology students reach from a minimum ac-ceptable knowledge and skill level in the specific research area, to an excellent performance that demonstrates in-depth understanding of the subject, ability to apply the knowledge acquired to analyses, interpret and critically evaluate data and results.All activities are conducted in English.


LABORATORIES, RESEARCH CENTRES AND INSTITUTE

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Head: doc. dr. Polonca Trebše

The Laboratory for Environmental Research con-ducts basic and applied research in different areas of environmental sciences.

Basic ResearchIn the area of basic research, the activities of the laboratory are direct-ed to the investigation of photochemical and micro-bial degradation as well as the transport of pollutants in the environment, the in-vestigation of antioxidants in agricultural products and foodstuffs, the de-velopment of laser-based methods, bioanalytical methods, and ecotoxico-logical tests for the iden-tification and determina-tion of toxic compounds and their effects on the environment. The activity of the laboratory is recently also being extended to the preparation and characterisation of new materials, which have potential application to environmental friendly systems, such as membranes for fuel

cells and the utilisation of alternative energy from biomass.Relevant results have recently been achieved in the field of photodegradation processes, where the experiments are focused on the application of TiO2 thin films as the catalyst for the degra-dation of substituted phenols, textile and other dyes, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals under

simulated (UV light) and environmental conditions. Our research is focused on the application of such prepared films for bacte-ricidal and self-cleaning purposes. New techniques for the degradation of pollutants in waste and drinking waters by laser light, ionising radiation and advanced oxidation techniques are being in-vestigated as well. Among the research achievements of great im-

portance, one must mention the development of highly sensitive analytical methods based on photothermal techniques such as thermal lens spectrometry (TLS), which are combined with bioanalytical techniques (acetylcholinesterase

LABORATORY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

43

- AChE biosensors), flow injection analysis (FIA) and liquid chromatography. The technique of surface plasmon reso-nance is also being devel-oped recently and is used in combination with vari-ous biomolecules (pro-teins, enzymes) to detect of metal ions and differ-ent organic pollutants in aqueous samples. Besides the detection of toxic compounds (orga-nophosphate and car-bamate pesticides, chro-mate), the developed methods are applied to investigate the role of biologically active com-pounds such as antioxi-dants in different physi-ological processes. Caro-tenoids are, for example, the subject of our inves-tigations related to the photochemical cycles in plankton and aquatic plants and phytoplankton cell lysis, while highly sensitive TLS detection of bilirubin is exploited to investigate the transport of antioxidants

across cellular membrane and the function of associated transport proteins.

Because of their nutri-tional value, other groups of antioxidants (such as anthocyanins and hy-droxycinnamic acids in some fruit species like sweet cherry and white grapes) are also being investigated. The Labo-ratory for Environmental Research is interested in the research of the lo-cal cultivars and special attention is devoted to environmental impact on polyphenol content, such as the position of growing, weather con-ditions and orchard or vineyard handling. The cutting-edge laser technology is also used for the remote sensing

of air pollution and physical properties in the atmosphere. The transport of aerosols close to highways and other streets is investigated with the LIDAR system. Moreover, a method for the

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indirect determination of emission rates, wind profile and vertical diffusivity of aerosols has been developed. In the field of ecotoxicology, the toxicity of or-ganophosphorus and neonicotinoid pesticides is investigated. The effects of pesticides on ter-restrial invertebrates (Isopoda) are studied on the base of the activities of different enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase and glutathion-S-transferase and energy reserves (lipids and gly-cogen) in organisms. In addition, changes in the concentrations and transformations of organo-phosphorous and neonicotinoid pesticides are examined in the laboratory as well as in natu-ral environment during a field experiment. The application of such organisms as indicators of environmental pollution represents the major interest of the laboratory. Beside the reseanch on terrestrial organisms we perform the toxico-logical study addressing the effects of neonico-tinoids and their main degradation products on the model eukaryotic organism – yeast Saccha-romyces cerevisiae. Due to the extensive stud-ies over the last years, yeast is one of the best understood organisms on the molecular level and presents an advantage for studying the in-fluence of different chemical substances on the evolutionarily conserved cellular processes.The laboratory has also initiated several studies

on ecological energetic properties of terrestrial ecosystems. This reflects in our endeavours for systems ecology to approach the evaluation of sustainable management, where the esti-mation of ecosystems’ integrity is of utmost importance. The core activities in this field are studies of ecosystem growth and development processes, and self-organizing properties of ecosystem evolution. Modern techniques are applied, ranging from thermal remote sens-ing of ecosystem’s surfaces to the estimation of information stored in genome size. Special attention is paid to nonlinear thermodynamic parameters as systems indicators (e.g. specific exergy, exergy dissipation, inclusive Kulback in-dex, emergy). Relations between indicators and ecosystem’s growth and development process-es are evaluated with different ecological mod-elling tools including Stella, Ecopath, etc.

Applied ResearchThe activities of the Laboratory in the field of applied research are oriented primarily towards the application of photothermal and bioanalyt-ical techniques for food quality control. In this regard, the newly developed analytical meth-ods are applied to determine the characteristic carotenoids, which serve as indicators of qual-ity and origin of olive and other vegetable oils,

45

and fruit juices. AChE based photothermal bio-sensors are being presently tested for the appli-cation in fruit juice production on a large scale, where they will be used as a rapid and low cost screening method for the presence of organo-phosphate pesticides.

ExpertiseSince the establishment of the laboratory, its expertise in the area of Environmental Impact Assessment has been frequently requested by the public and private sectors in the Primor-ska region. This has recently resulted in the engagement of our experts in the assessment of the new facility for the reduction of flue gas emissions from the production of phtalic acid anhydride in the Kemiplas Koper plant. This in-cluded the evaluation and determination of the best available technologies, the assessment of the present status of the environment near the plant and methods of monitoring pollution, and consulting related to formalities demand-ed by national standards and regulations. In a similar way, we are involved in the activities re-lated to the establishment of new facilities for solid waste treatment, exploitation of landfill gas, and cleaning of leachate and wastewaters at the municipal waste disposal site in Nova Gorica.

We collaborate in the international project deal-ing with the environmental impact assessment as well. Beside the experts from Italian side some experts from our laboratory are involved as members of the international commeettee, appointed Gorizia Province in the preparation of the risk assassment due to the pollution of north-east past of Gorizia with formaldehyde, zinc, copper and some other pollutants.


46

Head: prof. dr. Danilo Zavrtanik

Basic ResearchThe basic research of the laboratory is oriented to-wards the fields of experimental cosmic ray phys-ics, experimental particle physics and interaction of electromagnetic waves with matter, and is to a large extent being pursued through large interna-tional scientific collaborations.Fundamental research in the field of cosmic ray physics is performed within the Pierre Auger collaboration. The collab-oration is now construct-ing a vast high-energy cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, featuring a hy-brid detector sensitive to cosmic rays with energies above 1019 eV. A part of the observatory has been taking data since 2004, and our group is involved in the analysis of the acquired data, mainly in the search for astronomic sources of extreme energy cosmic rays (i.e. cosmic rays with energies exceed-ing 3 x 1019 eV). In particular, we are involved in the Monte Carlo studies of large air showers, in the de-velopment and deployment of atmosphere moni-toring equipment of the fluorescence detector, in

the on-line data acquisition system, and in the anal-ysis of gathered scientific data. Previously available software for large air shower simulation was highly time-consuming and unsuitable for efficient stud-ies of the response of surface detectors. We have improved the simulation methods, which provide substantially faster secondary particle generation in the acceptance range of the surface detector. These methods have been widely accepted and are now

included in all important air-shower simulation packages developed worldwide. Our laborato-ry now rutinely analyses experimental data, is in-volved in the last stages of the “offline” analysis software development and surface detector an-gular resolution studies.

The LIDAR system developed at our laboratory is ca-pable of measuring the vertical profile of the laser light absorption coefficient in the atmosphere up to altitudes of 25 km. In this range time-changes in aerosol and water and vapour concentrations can be measured. In the years 2003-2006 four LIDAR systems have been installed at Pierre Auger detector site in Argentina, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Torino and University of New

LABORATORY FOR ASTROPARTICLE PHYSICS

47

Mexico. In 2005 another LIDAR station has been built at Otlica near Ajdovščina, Slovenia, and is used by Atmospheric research centre of the University of Nova Gorica. Basic research in the field of elementary particle physics is conducted in the framework of Belle collaboration. It is focused on the stud-ies of the decays of B and anti-B mes-ons, unstable heavy particles which are produced in the elec-tron-positron colli-sions at Y(4S) reso-nance energy in the KEKB collider in Tsu-kuba, Japan. A differ-ence in the decays of B and anti-B is re-lated to the violation of the so called “CP symmetry”, which is also manifested in the domi-nance of matter over anti-matter in nature. In 2001, Belle demonstrated the presence of CP violation in the B meson system through the measurement of the time dependant asymmetry in the decay proc-ess of the neutral B mesons into particles J/Ψ and K0

S. The experimental data indicated that the Koba-yashi-Maskawa mechanism, which is a part of the Standard model of elementary particles, is indeed the dominant source of CP violation in nature. The

Belle experiment also proved its ability to make a number of first measurements of various decay modes of the B mesons and to extract Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix elements. This led to the observation of several yet unseen decay processes. By collecting many such observations

we may probe new physics, and once its existence is es-tablished, these measurements will help determining its properties. This is only possible by up-grading the KEKB’s luminosity by a sub-stantial amount, and also by upgrading the Belle detector, especially its silicon vertex detector (SVD) to be able to operate

in this high luminosity environment.The laboratory takes part in the development of the deep sub-micron monolithic active pixel sen-sors (MAPS) based on CMOS technology, with the purpose of their use for the next generation of the Belle SVD. These devices are attractive for B-fac-tory experiments due to the possibility of making them very thin (about 50 µm), an essential feature for improvement in multiple scattering limited ver-texing in a low momentum B-factory environment.

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The most serious concerns which are being dealt with are their radiation hardness and their readout speed, both dictated by the 50 times higher project-ed luminosity of the new SuperKEKB collider.Research with synchrotron radiation, which is also a part of the department activities, is mainly dedicat-ed to the analysis of atomic and molecular structure of new materials with x-ray absorption methods EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) and XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure). Number and species of neighbour atoms, their dis-tance from the selected atom and the thermal or structural disorder of their positions can be deter-mined. The analysis can be applied to crystalline, nanostructural or amorphous materials, liquids and molecular gases. EXAFS is often the only convenient way to study the arrangement of atoms in mate-rials without long-range order, where traditional diffraction techniques cannot be used. In parallel, experimental study of multielectron photoexcita-tions in free and bound atoms is performed, which can provide information on collective motion of electrons in the atomic system. We have provided a significant experimental and theoretical contribu-tion to the interpretation of exact atomic absorp-tion background in EXAFS spectra and thereby im-proved the accuracy of the structural analysis with this method. Research is performed in collaboration with several Slovene and foreign laboratories for material science, physics, chemistry, pharmacology, environmental research and preservation of cultur-al heritage. The laboratory performs measurements

at synchrotron radiation facilities HASYLAB at DESY in Hamburg, ESRF in Grenoble, ELETTRA Sincrotrone in Trieste and SRS Daresbury.

Applied ResearchApplied research activity is oriented partly towards the development of new detector techniques in as-troparticle physics and environmental sciences, and partly towards the application of synchrotron radia-tion. The former focuses particularly on systems for the remote sensing of air pollution and atmospher-ic properties, while the latter provides access to the advanced technology for material characterisation with synchrotron light to Slovene as well as foreign laboratories. So far, the laboratory has contributed to the development of several technologically im-portant materials, for example microporous cata-lysts, superconducting and ferroelectric ceramics, surfactants, protective coatings, nanostructure materials and some macromolecules used in phar-macology. It is actively involved in the development of new solutions for environmental protection in cases of pollution with heavy metals and pesticides, and in a project for the preservation of ancient man-uscripts.


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Head: prof. dr. Gvido Bratina

Basic ResearchThe activities of the laboratory in the area of fun-damental research are focused on the electronic, optical and structural parameters of thin organic semiconductor layers. Sub-stantial effort is devoted to the investigation of electric charge carrier transport through the organic semiconductor layers in the light of varying crystal growth conditions, and the chemical and structural prop-erties of metal/organic-semi-conductor interface. Methods employed in the laboratory include an ultra-high vacuum growth chamber that allows the synthesis of organic semiconductor layers with single-molecular-layer precision. During growth, the layers are characterized by the reflection of high-energy electron diffraction and quadrupole mass spectroscopy. Morphology of grown layers is assessed ex-situ by using an atomic force micro-scope. Electronic properties of the layers are charac-terized ex-situ using time-of-flight techniques and current-voltage characteristics measurements. In addition, conductive atomic force microscope al-

lows us to probe the conductivity of the organic layers at the nanometer scale. The laboratory in collaborates with groups at the Synchrotron Trieste, Italy, the TASC-INFM Labora-tory in Trieste, Italy, the Synchrotron Radiation Center in Wisconsin, USA, and the International

University of Bremen, Ger-many.

Applied ResearchApplied research is focused on the assessment of possible applications of organic elec-tronics in consumer products. These include all-organic flex-ible displays, gas sensors, and solid-state organic solar cells.


Laboratory for Epitaxy and Nanostructures

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Head: prof. dr. Božidar Šarler

Basic ResearchThe Laboratory conducts fundamental rese-arch towards the development of advanced numerical methods for multiphase systems and the development of physical models for solid-liquid processes.The focus is on mes-hless methods for transport phenomena in the presence of mo-ving boundaries. The models are developed within the continuum mechanics concept for systems without phase change, like dispersi-ons and porous me-dia as well as systems with melting or solidi-fication phenomena. The description of the processes ranges from the microstructure evolution to the coupled macroscopic trans-fer of mass, energy, momentum and species. The laboratory is involved in the development of international test cases for Stefan problems and is involved in the comparisons between

numerical models and experiments. The rese-arch is incorporated into the European COST, COPERNICUS and INSPIRE projects, as well as in the NATO and COBASE scientific program-mes. Principal long-term research links are established with the University of Erlangen, Nuremberg, Germany; the University Pierre

and Marie Curie, Fran-ce; the Silesian Techni-cal University, Poland; and the University of Southern Mississippi, USA. The laboratory constitutes a node of the EU Centre of excel-lence OPTI_ENERGY.

Applied ResearchOur applied research is directed towards nume-rical modelling of a wide variety of processes with metallic, polymer

or ceramic materials and their composites. The principal interest is in simulation and optimisati-on of relations between the process parameters and the product properties. An intense collabo-ration has been established with the aluminium industry IMPOL Slovenska Bistrica for the simula-

Laboratory for multiphase processes

51

tion of temperatures, velocities, and concentrati-ons in DC cast aluminium alloy billets and slabs. The collaboration reflects in improved regulati-on algorithms and substantial enhancement of product quality and process yield. The computer aided automatic optimisation of process para-meters in continuous casting of steel, related to domestic, Czech and Finnish steelworks is

underway within the European Concerted Rese-arch Action, designated as COST-526. A project on modelling of hollow-brick manufacturing and usage was started for the Goriške opekarne brickworks. All related industrial process modifi-cations and upgrades are performed in close co-operation with industrial research teams.

ExpertiseThe laboratory is successfully working together with Slovene agencies and regulatory bodies in the computer simulation of the planned Slovene low and intermediate nuclear waste reposito-ry. In parallel, the enhancement of our own si-mulation capabilities for the assessment of the transport of radionuclides and other pollutants in different natural and technological systems is in progress.


52

Head: doc. dr. Klemen Bergant

A general concern about the global climate change has been raised in the last decades. The increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses and sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere alter the energy bal-ance of the Earth surface, thus leading to a global climate change. In the year 2004, a desire for a better understanding of this processes, especially those related to the aerosols, resulted in the estab-lishment of the Centre for Atmospheric Research at the University of Nova Gorica.

Basic ResearchBasic research at the Centre for Atmospheric Re-search covers remote sensing of atmospheric properties, regional climate change and atmos-pheric impact on the performance of satellite navigation systems.Remote sensing of atmospheric properties: Lidar de-velopment and application, performed in collabo-ration with the Laboratory of Astroparticle Physics (LAPP), enables studies of the long-range transport of aerosols and their impact on climate. Aerosol lidar, developed at LAPP, was installed in the ob-servatory at Otlica near Ajdovščina in June 2005. It provides information on vertical profiles of aerosol concentration in troposphere and lower strato-sphere, and enables the estimation of atmospheric

optical properties and their impact on energy bal-ance of the surface. As the presence of aerosols in the atmosphere commonly indicates the atmos-pheric pollution, the lidar measurements at Otlica provide basic information on air quality over the region of Trnovski gozd, Vipava valley, Karst, and Slovenian coast, up to the altitude of few tenths of km. The use of different meteorological models enable the estimation of back-trajectories for air particles, and consequently the path of air pollu-tion for the time before reaching the area of Slov-enia and being detected by lidar. At this aspect we collaborate with the Faculty for mathematics and physics at the University of Ljubljana.In the collaboration with partners from industry, Optotek d.o.o and Fotona d.d, as well as with the University of Iowa, the mobile lidar is under de-velopment. The lidar will enable the detection of aerosols in the planetary boundary layer as indica-tors of air pollution in specific conditions (extreme temperature inversion, Saharan dust events, for-est fires, emissions of different contaminants, etc.) and on problematic areas (vicinity of steam power stations, urbanized areas of Ljubljana and Celje basin, etc.).Regional climate change: In the collaboration with the Biotechnical faculty, University of Ljubljana, and the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia (EARS), the Centre for Atmospheric Re-

Centre for Atmospheric Research

53

search is also involved in regional climate change and impact studies. The recent general circulation models (GCM), used to simulate the response of the climate system to the changes in atmospheric composition, can not provide the details of expect-ed climate change on the level of Slovenia. The agi-tated relief and the proximity of the Adriatic Sea result in the hetero-geneous climate on a small area of Slovenia. Using additional mod-els and techniques the results of GCM can be downscaled to the level that can be used in climate change im-pact studies even on such a small but cli-mate heterogeneous area as Slovenia. Atmospheric impact on the performance of satellite navigation systems: In 2006 the research at the centre extended to studies of the impact of irregularities of electron density distribution on the communication be-tween satellites and ground receivers. Such irreg-ularities cause the scintillations in the navigation signal and influence the performance of satellite navigation systems such as GPS and Galileo. On one hand, knowing the cause of scintillations and their typical behavior should provide an important information for the improvement of the ground

receivers performance, but on the other hand the analysis of scintillations enable the remote sens-ing of irregularities of electron density in the up-per layers of the atmosphere.

Applied ResearchLidar measurements at Otlica contribute to the

wide ecological moni-toring at the area of Slovenia. In coop-eration with the EARS some standard mete-orological and ecologi-cal measurements are performed addition-ally at Otlica. In 2006 Otlica was included in the Slovenian network of ecological stations maintained by EARS. With regional climate

change and impact studies, especially on the field of agriculture and extreme events, the Centre for Atmospheric Research also contributes to the de-velopment of reasonable climate change adapta-tion strategies in Slovenia.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 57, Fax: +386 5 331 52 40E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/research/atmospheric-research/

54

Head: dr. Petra Golja

The Centre for Environmental and Sports Physi-ology is one of the youngest research labora-tories of the University of Nova Gorica. It was established to promote research activities in the field of environmental physiology, which is a deficitary scientific discipline in Slovenia; this is a young, challeng-ing and rapidly de-veloping field, which investigates the rela-tions between man and his environment. Namely, different en-vironmental factors, such as temperature, solar radiation, alti-tude etc., crucially af-fect human survival, work and physical performance in a cer-tain environment. En-vironmental physiology investigates human physiological responses, thus the responses of heart rate, respiration, blood flow, tempera-ture regulation etc., in various environmental conditions. Research activity of the Centre for Environmen-

tal and Sports Physiology focuses on physi-ological responses to acute and chronic high altitude exposures, but also investigates aero-bic capacity, temperature regulation, muscular activation, water balance, dehydration, sen-sory systems and acclimatisation to different environmental factors. Our research partners include General Hospital Šempeter pri Gorici,

Department of Biol-ogy of the Biotechni-cal Faculty Ljubljana, Department of Physi-ology and Pathology of the University of Trieste, Institute of Jožef Stefan, and Col-lege of Health Stud-ies Ljubljana.

Apart from research activities, counsel-ling and perform-ance testing is also

performed in the Centre and is aimed primarily to sportsmen, trainers and people working in extreme environments. The counselling ac-tivities of Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiology can help in the organisation of sports training and in the assessment of physi-

Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiology

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cal performance for sport teams and individual sportsmen. Last, but not least, Centre for Envi-ronmental and Sports Physiology participates in educational activities of the University of Nova Gorica, as students are involved in prac-tical laboratory work and research activities at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Centre for Environmental and Sports Physiolo-gy is located at Vid Medical Centre in Kromberk, Nova Gorica. First class medical environment provides optimal conditions for further devel-opment of the centre and international quality research.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 330 26 69Fax: +386 599 21 646E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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Head: prof. dr. Tanja Urbančič

The Centre was established in March 2007 in order to connect re-searchers in the fields of systems and infor-mation technologies. In the inital stage, we focus mainly on:- information tech-

nologies for sup-port of activities in medicine and pub-lic health system,

- systems theory and system engi-

neering.

The members of the centre closely cooperate with other organizations (Jožef Stefan Insti-tute, Iskraimpuls d.o.o.) and with a group of external coworkers. Some of them have experi-ence from longer stays at research institutions abroad, such as University of New South Wales in Sydney, Czech Technical University in Prague, University of Glasgow, Hamilton Institute at the National University of Ireland, Watterloo University in Canada, etc.

Centre for Systems and Information Technologies

Currently, work is concentrated to the analy-sis of large textual databases with the aim of generating new hypotheses for explaining

complex, not yet suf-ficiently understood phenomena in bio-medical filed. A newly developed method that searches for con-nections in disjunct literatures is applied to uncovering rela-tions with a potential to enhance under-standing of autism. Improvement of sim-ulation models for air pollution dispersion

over complex terrain is also one of the research topics in which the centre is involved.

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Other working fields include:

- knowledge management in networked or-ganizations,

- integration of applications and methods for decision support and data mining,

- applications of knowledge technologies in medicine,

- mathematical modelling and their use for automatic control design,

- optimisation of production processes and manufacturing,

- innovation systems and performance moni-toring in industry,

- human resource management.


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Head: doc. dr. Tanja Petrović

Within the social sciences, culture has tradi-tionally been marginalized as ephemeral and superficial, since cultural processes were often difficult to clearly delimit and measure, and thus unlikely to provide the social scientist with solid knowledge and testable results. During the past few decades, however, culture has become a central concern across a wide range of disci-plines, as diverse as eth-nic studies, critical legal studies, critical theory, literary studies, media, gender and race studies, postcolonial studies, etc. Culture now occupies an essential position in educational, academic and political-strategic discourses.Cultural studies ex-plores the meaning and practices of everyday life. It is a broad, rapidly expanding and changing field in which scholars address new questions and discourses, continu-ing to debate longstanding issues and reinvent-ing critical traditions. It provides a complex pic-ture of culture as a subject of negotiation, dia-

logue and creativity, influenced by the context in which it is produced and used, simultaneously shedding light on cultural practices and routines as essentially important factors in the construc-tion of any kind of collective identity.On the basis of these theoretical considerations, the programme of work of the Institute for Cul-tural Studies at the University of Nova Gorica covers interdisciplinary research from the fields of linguistics, cultural history, anthropology and

philosophy. In their work the researchers are par-ticulary interested in issues such as cultural interactions in the bor-der areas, memory and commemoration.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 1 470 64 15Fax: +386 1 425 52 53E-mail: [email protected]://www.p-ng.si/en/research/cultural-studies/

Institute for Cultural Studies

Other Activities

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Head: Vanesa Valentinčič Murovec, univ. dipl. bibl. in soc. kult.

The library of the University of Nova Gorica was formally established in April 1998. So far it has been the only university library in the region of Northern Primorska. It is open to all students and staff, as well as to all other visitors who are interested in the materials offered by the library.

We are collecting materials mostly for the fields of ecology, physics, chemistry, engi-neering, mathe-matics, biology, Slovene studies and viticulture. At the moment library collection includes approxi-mately 6.500 book titles, 80 titles of periodicals, 130 items of non-book materials (mostly CD-roms) and e-edition of scientific journals, reachable over services like ScienceDirect, Springer Link, APS Journals, EIFL Direct-data bases EBSCOhost. Our

users have also access to data bases like Web of Science, GviN etc.

Major part of material in the library is sorted by fields and is freely accessible. In the first place, the library provides literature for education and research activities. Apart from lending books it also offers on-line searches from public accessi-ble databases and through inter library lending it ensures materials, which are not available in

the library. Users can also use reading room with 28 seats and computer room with 7 comput-ers. Important ro-le of the library is also managing b i b l i o g r a p h i e s for our research-ers and profes-sors. The library is full member of

the Slovene library co-operative online biblio-graphic system & service, COBISS. The system enable library members to search, review, pro-long and reserve materials by internet. Library catalogue (COBISS/OPAC) is available by library

Library

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web site (http://www.ung.si/en/about-uni-versity/library/). There are gathered important library information and links to the e-publica-tions, databases, novelties etc. Library is open for users 7 to 10 hours per day or 47 hours per week.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 20Fax: +386 5 331 53 75E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/library/

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Head: Mirjana Frelih, univ. dipl. bibl. in ped.

The specific nature of study and research pro-grammes at the University of Nova Gorica cre-ated the need to publish its own books. Since the existent literature on the topics and points of view involved in our teaching and research activities is rare and insufficient, University of Nova Gorica introduced its own publishing pro-gramme. The programme aims to provide our students, teaching staff and researchers with quality literature, which promotes current scien-tific achievements and is designed specifically to meet the requirements of the University of Nova Gorica study courses and research activities. Book publishing includes textbooks, as well as technical and scholarly publishing. It is regulat-ed by Rules on Publishing and monitored by the Publishing Committee. Published materials can be purchased at the University of Nova Gorica Library or by mail. All information about publi-cations are also available on publisher web site http://www.ung.si/en/about-university/publisher/.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 20Fax: +386 5 331 53 75E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/about-university/publisher/

Book publishing

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President of the Managing Board: Črtomir Špacapan, univ. dipl. ekon.

The Edvard Rusjan Foundation is a non-profit institution with the basic goal of providing financi-al and other support for current activities and for the future development of University of Nova Gorica.In accordance with its purpose, the foundation provides financial aid for: equipment for research groups and research in-frastructure, the quality training of the Universi-ty of Nova Gorica teaching and supervisory staff, and the development and realization of study and research programmes important for the promotion of social, economic, technological, scientific and cultural progress. In addition, the foundation encourages links bet-ween the university and the national economy by providing funds for the development of inno-vative activities, and promoting knowledge, ex-perience and technology transfer. It also covers education expenses and provides scholarships for talented undergraduate and postgraduate students; as well as encourages the realization and development of publishing activities for

educational and research purposes and the pro-motion of University of Nova Gorica in Slovenia and abroad in order to increase its reputation. To successfully realize the goals set, the founda-

tion collects contributions and donations. These may comprise of financial re-sources, tangible assets, works of art, shares, pro-perty rights, real rights, and other assets that are of value for the foundation and can be assessed.

The Edvard Rusjan Foundation’s assets are not spent. In accordance with the purpose of the fo-undation, only the return on the collected assets is allocated.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 23Fax: +386 5 337 52 24 E-mail: [email protected]://www.p-ng.si/public/fer/slo/

Edvard Rusjan foundation

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Director: Janko Borjančič, mag. posl. ved

The objective of the Primorska Technology Park is to provide support to small and medium en-terprises that are technology-based and con-tribute to their competitiveness in the endless whirl of scientific and technologi-cal innovations. The support of the Technology Park is designed to meet the needs of innovative en-terprises that feature state-of-the-art techno-logy, market orientation of R&D projects, and willingly collaborate in the field of research and development.Members of the Primorska Technology Park are entitled to its services. These include: the assi-stance at technologically innovative start-ups, the marketing of developed results, project planning and management, financial mana-gement, information provision, business and technical training, and the physical develop-ment of infrastructure.

The Primorska Technology Park establishes net-works with other technology parks, technology-based companies, business support organisa-tions, centres of excellence, financial instituti-ons, external experts, and industry. Within the

framework of col-laboration on the regional, national and international levels, it performs innovation pro-jects and promo-tes the transfer of technology, the establishment of new high-tech en-

terprises, employment of qualified personnel, and synergy among technology-oriented com-panies within the Primorska region.

FOUNDERSElektro Primorska d.d.Iskra Avtoelektrika d.d. The City Municipality of Nova GoricaThe Municipality of Šempeter-VrtojbaUniversity of Nova Gorica

Primorska Technology Park

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University Information DayEvery year, University of Nova Gorica holds an Information Day for prospective students still at-tending secondary schools. The Information Day at University of Nova Gorica as well as at other institutions of higher education in Slovenia is held on a date set by the Ministry of Higher Edu-cation, Science and Technology. The Information Day provides an opportunity for prospective students to find out about the ad-mission requirements for each study programme offered by University of Nova Gorica.

Scientific Evenings, Thursday Lectures, Seminars of Visiting Scientists Throughout the academic year, University of Nova Gorica invites distinguished scientists from Slovenia and abroad to present their scientific achievements at lectures of the following three types: Scientific Evenings, Thursday Lectures and Seminars of Visiting Scientists. The former are in-tended for a general audience, since their aim is to familiarize the audience with science and help them understand the scientific thought. The lec-ture, given by a prominent Slovene or foreign scientist or entrepreneur is followed by a guided discussion. To achieve more efficient promotion of science, Scientific Evenings take place at the Zemono Mansion near Vipava five times a year

and are also broadcast by a television company.Thursday Lectures and Seminars of Visiting Sci-entists take place at the University’s premises throughout the academic year, once or twice a month, resp. Both types of lectures cover various themes in the fields of natural sciences, technol-ogy, environmental sciences, medicine, as well as humanities. They are intended for a general audience, students and scholars of University of Nova Gorica. Further information on the lectures can be found in the daily print media, or can be obtained from the following website: http://www.ung.si/en/research/

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 41 Fax: +386 5 331 52 96 E-mail: [email protected]

Public events

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Science School Besides other public events, University of Nova Gorica also organizes the so-called Science School, which takes place during school holidays in autumn, winter and summer. The Science School is intended for primary school children interested in science. Following the concept of other organized events (e.g. sports events, music events…), it offers activities whose aim is to ex-plore simple experiments, natural phenomena and nature observation. The fact that children become familiar with sci-ence, research and the basic laws of nature yet at an early age, inspires them to explore natural sciences in the future.

Contact InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 55Fax: +386 5 331 53 85E-mail: [email protected]

General InformationPhone: +386 5 331 52 23Fax: +386 5 331 52 24E-mail: [email protected]://www.ung.si/en/

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