About the Department

Welcome to the Department of Geology and Petroleum Geology which aims to promote world-class teaching and fundamental research across a range of topics in the Earth Sciences. Geology has been taught at Aberdeen for more than 150 years, with geology degrees awarded since 1892. Today, however, we are a forward-looking and vibrant department at the centre of the European Oil Capital. We undertake cutting-edge research across a range of topics, frequently in association with industry partners. Our research has a special focus on the evolution of sedimentary basins that host many of the world’s significant resources. The strength of our strategic linkage to industry allows us to offer a variety of highly relevant and accredited undergraduate and post graduate programmes (both taught and research orientated), together with professional development courses for industry personnel. The success of our fundamental research, coupled with research-led teaching, is clearly demonstrated by the sustained growth in both academic staff and student numbers over the past few years. Our numbers have effectively doubled in the past 5 years. We have revamped the curriculum and invested in new teaching to match the ambitions of our new undergraduate students. We also now have 70 taught masters students and over 40 research students, and have correspondingly invested in research facilities to support them. We are now the most popular geology department in Scotland. If you would like to join us, or simply want more information on our undergraduate, postgraduate, CPD or research programmes in Geology and Petroleum Geology, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Ian Alsop Head of Geology and Petroleum Geology