# Geology

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

05.03.01 
*In English and Russian*

*Network programme*

Level of education Bachelor

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 4 years

Programme description

The degree programme "Geology" is aimed at providing knowledge about: the composition of the Earth, its structure, origin and history; rocks, minerals, crystals, palaeontological remains; and geological structures, processes and deposits of mineral resources.

Students master compulsory fundamental disciplines and special elective courses for in-depth training in a particular field of geology, including: hydrogeology; engineering geology; geology of mineral resources; geotectonics; structural geology; stratigraphy; lithology; palaeontology; crystallography; petrology; mineralogy; geochemistry; and geophysics to name just a few.

The professional activities of graduates can be carried out in: geological regional departments of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation; organisations of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation; the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) of the Russian Federation; the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities (Minstroy) of the Russian Federation; exploration and production companies engaged in production, consulting and engineering activities and geological surveys; academic and ministerial research institutions involved in the prospecting of solid minerals and fossil fuels, groundwater and other geological, geophysical, geochemical, environmental, hydrogeological and engineering-geological issues; design and survey organisations; and drilling and construction companies.

Graduates are prepared to carry out research activities and production geological surveys and work in: field mining parties; research geology laboratories; and computing centres engaged in these activities.

Main courses

- Geological Mapping and Structural Geology
- Geology of Minerals
- Geophysics
- Geochemistry. General Geochemistry
- Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
- Informatics and Mathematical Methods in Geology
- History of the Earth and Organic World
- Crystallography and Crystal Optics
- Mineralogy
- General and Regional Geotectonics
- Sedimentary Geology
- Petrography
- Foreign Language
- History of Russia (online course)
- Mathematics
- Gravity and Magnetic Survey
- Planet Earth
- Environmental and Applied Geochemistry
- Economic Geology

Our advantages

- The programme is unique in that it combines fundamental geological education with an individual approach to the training of each student
- The opportunity exists to use the advanced equipment of the resource centres of the Research Park of St Petersburg University
- Students can participate in expeditions throughout Russia, and in training practices at the field bases of St Petersburg University and in foreign countries
- The opportunity exists to participate in academic exchange programmes with world universities
- Joint research projects with top foreign universities and companies are set up
- Students can take part in conferences, seminars and symposia, and also in the annual conference of the student scientific society
- Students have the possibility to choose from elective courses and build their own educational path for advanced training in a particular field of geology: geology and mineral resources; geophysics; hydrogeology; engineering geology; crystallography; sedimentary geology; petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry
- Reliable contacts exist with potential employers: institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences; geological research and production organisations

##### This programme is designed to train specialists who:

- have knowledge in the field of: general geology; palaeontology; historical geology; stratigraphy; geological mapping; structural geology, geotectonics and geodynamics; geology of Russia; crystallography; mineralogy; petrography; lithology; general geochemistry; isotope geochemistry and geochronology; geophysics; geology of mineral deposits; hydrogeology; and engineering geology
- have the skills of: the practical solution of geological problems using the methods of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and engineering geology; drawing up an integral idea of the structure and interaction of the entire totality of geological processes; and using physical and mathematical tools and specialised information technology to solve job tasks
- have great command in field and laboratory research methods and principles for analysing the results of processing the obtained data

Teaching staff

- Sergey Krivovichev, Professor in the Department of Crystallography, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the scientific school in crystallochemistry, Laureate of the Presidential Prize of the Russian Federation, President of the Russian Mineralogical Society, Member of the Council of the International Mineralogical Association, and author of more than 500 scientific publications
- Anatoly Zaitsev, Professor in the Department of Mineralogy, leading expert in the field of mineralogy of alkaline rocks and carbonatites; Member of an international expert group involved in the design of the Laetoli (Tanzania) archaeological site and museum; author of more than 80 scientific publications
- Anton Kuznetsov, Professor in the Department of Geochemistry, leading expert in the field of isotope geochemistry and author of more than 130 scientific publications
- Georgy Cherkashev, Professor in the Department of Mineral Deposits Geology, Deputy Director of the All-Russian Research Institute for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Ocean (VNIIOkeangeologia), Member of the International Seabed Authority, leading expert in the field of ocean geology, and author of more than 100 scientific publications

Career opportunities

**Professions**

- The professional activities of graduates can be carried out in: academic and ministerial research institutions; exploration and production companies that carry out geological surveys, prospecting, exploration and production of mineral resources; institutions involved in monitoring the environment and solving environmental issues; design and survey, drilling and construction companies; higher education institutions; secondary vocational education institutions; and secondary general education institutions
- Graduates are prepared to carry out research activities and production geological surveys and work in: field mining parties; research geology laboratories; and computing centres engaged in these activities. Our graduates can work as geologists

[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/)

[Tuition](https://english.spbu.ru/admission/tuition)

[Create Your Personal Account](https://cabinet.spbu.ru/)