# Geology

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/geology
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

05.04.01 
*In English and Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description

- The master’s programme "Geology" provides an opportunity to: acquire knowledge of current trends in scientific and applied geological research; master advanced methods of solving complex geological issues; and gain unique experience of independent research activities
- Students are provided with an opportunity to master research and experimental methods as well as methods for obtaining, processing and interpreting geological data at a level appropriate to modern geological science and necessary to be fully functional after graduation from the programme
- The programme in "Geology" is unique in that it combines an in-depth theoretical knowledge acquired during lectures with practical skills to deal with different types of tasks: research, production and teaching. The programme is interdisciplinary as it covers a wide range of Earth sciences

Main courses

Basic courses

- Current Issues in Geology
- Mineral Resources
- Modern Methods of Natural Substance Analysis and Its Properties
- Presentations and Academic Writing

Courses in Geochemistry

- Genetic Mineralogy
- Practical Petrology
- Exploration and Environmental Geochemistry
- Endogenic Rock-Forming Processes
- Physico-Chemical Petrology

Courses in Mineral Resources

- Basin Analysis and Minerageny of Sedimentary Basins
- Modelling of Geological Processes and Systems
- Prospecting and Exploration of Mineral Deposits
- Economic Geology
- Courses in Sedimentary Geology
- General (Theoretical) Lithology
- Principles and Methods of Palaeontology and Biosphere Evolution
- Facies Analysis. Palaeogeography

Courses in Sedimentary and Structural Geology

- Fundamentals of Tectonophysics and Structural Modelling
- Regional Geology and Metallogeny

Our advantages

- The advanced methods and approaches used in the industry are combined with in-depth fundamental knowledge in Earth sciences. The programme provides an opportunity for students to build their own educational paths, taking into account their preferences and the current research areas offered by leading geological organisations
- Students have an opportunity to gain valuable experience in research and project work as part of their training programme in laboratories, offices, field expeditions and/or during internships in employing companies
- There is an opportunity to receive scholarship support, which will make it possible for students to engage only in education: Academician Mitrofanov scholarship; advanced academic scholarship; Rosneft scholarship; and scholarship of the St Petersburg University Alumni Association
- Cutting-edge equipment of the resource centres of St Petersburg University can be used
- Topics for graduation projects offered to students are always relevant for the geological industry and they are either supported by grants or proposed by employers
- The programme is implemented with the help of the Council of the degree programme

Main areas of research

- Geochemistry of elements and isotopes
- Petrological modelling
- Mineral-forming processes
- Applied and environmental geochemistry
- Structural geology and tectonics of regions
- Evolution of sedimentary basins
- Early history of the Earth
- Geology of Mineral Deposits
- Estimation and calculation of reserves

Practical training and career opportunities

Graduates are ready for the following professional activities in the field of geology and environmental protection in Russia and abroad:

- Research activities in: academia, industry research institutes, and higher educational institutions
- Research and production activities in: appropriate manufacturing organisations and oil companies
- Organisational and managerial activities in: government bodies of natural resources, research and production organisations, public and private companies involved in exploration, prospecting and extraction of minerals
- Project activities in: public and private engineering companies
- Expert activities in: public and private sector organisations involved in a variety of environmental and geological work
- Academic activities in: institutions of general secondary, vocational secondary and higher education

Professions

- Geologist (mapping, work on geological features)
- Geochemist (work on geological features and in laboratories)
- Mineralogist (work on geological features and in laboratories)
- Head of a geological team / party
- Research associate
- University lecturer

[This webpage may contain outdated information. The programme descriptions and admission requirements for the 2026/2027 academic year are currently being updated. For the latest information on 2026/2027 admission, please visit the Admissions Office website.](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/en/)

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