# Structural Mineralogy and Materials Science

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate/structural-mineralogy-and-materials-science
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/graduate

05.04.01 
*In Russian*

Level of education Master

Type of instruction Full-time

Duration 2 years

Programme description

- The master's programme 'Structural Mineralogy and Materials Science' is designed to train specialists for work in the interdisciplinary field spanning mineralogy and materials science. The curriculum is oriented towards advancing nature-like technologies aimed at addressing priorities outlined in the Russian Federation's strategic scientific and technological development agendas
- This programme is unique within the Russian market for state research services, drawing upon the distinctive expertise in research-based education and natural resource studies at St. Petersburg State University
- The foundational training programme equips specialists with comprehensive command of state methodologies and skills in both fundamental and applied scientific research within structural mineralogy and materials science, preparing them for careers in research institutions, academic organisations, and innovation-technology centres in the Russian Federation
- The educational programme is interdisciplinary, integrating physical, chemical, and biological disciplines. This cross-disciplinary training equips specialists with the capability to analyse natural objects and design compounds with specific properties

Main courses

- Using of Megascience Facilities for Mineral and Materials Structure Research
- Specifics of Crystal Structure Analysis in Mineral-Like and Hybrid Materials
- Thermodynamics of Minerals and Materials
- Cosmochemistry and Space Mineralogy
- Mineral-Like and Hybrid Materials Design and Synthesis Methods
- Interrelationship Between Composition, Structure, and Properties of Minerals and Derived Materials
- Crystal Chemistry, Research Methods, and Applications of Radioactive Minerals and Materials
- Theoretical and Practical Aspects of X-Ray Structural Analysis
- Biomineralisation and Nature-Like Biotechnology
- Structural and Chemical Polymorphism in Minerals
- Crystal Chemistry of Minerals and Materials under Extreme Conditions
- Physical Properties of Minerals and Materials
- Material Property Prediction and Synthesis of Functional Materials
- Fundamentals of Modern Materials Science
- Classification and Applications of Advanced Functional Materials

Teaching staff

- S. Krivovichev – Professor, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, head of the crystal chemistry school of research, winner of the Russian Presidential Award, President of the Russian Mineralogical Society, General Director of the Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Foreign Member of the Academy of Science of Turin, and Honorary Member of the Mineralogical Society of America. With over 600 scholarly articles to his name, his works have been published in both Russian and international publications
- S. Britvin – Professor at the Department of Crystallography, a laureate of the national 'Professor of the Year' award, he has discovered over 100 new mineral species. A recognised specialist in mineralogy and materials science, he is the author of more than 250 scholarly articles and monographs
- R. Bubnova – Professor at the Department of Crystallography and Principal Researcher at the Institute of Silicate Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A specialist in high-temperature crystal chemistry, glass crystal chemistry, borates, and borosilicates, she is a laureate of the I. Grebenshchikov Award
- A. Zaitsev – Professor at the Department of Mineralogy, specialising in the mineralogy and geochemistry of alkaline magmatic rocks. A laureate of the Alexander von Humboldt Award, the IEEE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Award, and the A. Karpinsky Prize, he is also a recognised DAAD expert. His scholarly output includes over 100 scientific articles published in both Russian and international journals
- V. Krivovichev – Professor at the Department of Mineralogy, an Honorary Professor of St. Petersburg State University, and Laureate of the Russian Presidential Award, Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and is a recipient of the University Award for Teaching Excellence and Research Mentorship, member of the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names of the International Mineralogical Association, Honorary Member of the Russian Mineralogical Society
- E. Kotelnikova – Professor at the Department of Crystallography, member of the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on Organic Mineralogy. She is the organiser of the Russian Meetings on Organic Mineralogy and a specialist in the crystal chemistry of ore minerals and layered silicates. A laureate of the university's 'For Scientific Works' award, she has authored over 100 scientific articles and monographs
- O. Siidra – Professor at the Department of Crystallography, specialising in mineralogy and materials science, and is recognised as one of Russia's young leading scientists in fundamental research. He is the author of over 160 scientific publications and has discovered more than 50 new mineral species
- S. Filatov – Professor at the Department of Crystallography, Honorary Professor of St. Petersburg State University, Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation and Honorary Member of the Russian Mineralogical Society, member of the German Mineralogical Society, the Russian Chemical Society, and the European Crystallographic Association. Recognised as a global leader in high-temperature crystal chemistry research, he has authored over 350 scientific articles and monographs and discovered more than 40 new mineral species
- O. Frank-Kamenetskaya – Professor at the Department of Crystallography and laureate of scholarships from the President and Government of the Russian Federation, Professor at the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, member of the Academic Council of the St Petersburg Society of Naturalists. She is a specialist in the field of biomineralogy, and has authored over 250 scientific articles and monographs
- M. Charykova – Professor, Head of the Department of Geochemistry at St. Petersburg State University. She is a member of the Russian Mineralogical Society and the Academic Council of the St Petersburg Society of Naturalists, specialising in the thermodynamics of geochemical processes. With over 100 scientific articles and monographs to her name, she is a recognised authority in her field
- A. Zolotarev – Head of the Department of Crystallography at St. Petersburg State University, Professor, Academic Director of the Master's programme 'Structural Mineralogy and Materials Science'. He has authored over 120 scientific articles published in Russian and international journals

Our advantages

- The programme focuses on both theoretical and applied aspects related to the development of novel compounds and materials (including nanomaterials) leveraging insights from mineral structures and formation processes. This programme is unique and has no equivalent within the Russian higher education market
- The interdisciplinary nature of the programme (at the intersection of geology, chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine) enables the training of research specialists of crystalline substances across all their applications. This approach facilitates both the study of natural (nature-like) phases and the design of compounds with specific parameters, without awaiting their natural occurrence. This unique fusion of skills and knowledge from diverse scientific disciplines fosters groundbreaking research outcomes
- Throughout the programme, students master contemporary synthesis methodologies, while developing proficiency in operating advanced analytical instrumentation. The curriculum draws upon the interdisciplinary instrumental resource centres of the SPbU Research Park, which support a wide spectrum of critical and forward-looking research programmes, including 'X-Ray Diffraction Analysis', 'Geomodel', and 'Magnetic Resonance Research Methods', etc.
- The educational experience includes participation in cutting-edge research experiments presented at international conferences of the highest calibre, alongside opportunities for specialised internships at laboratories
- Students develop competencies in independent and research-driven work to address both fundamental and applied scientific challenges. Scientific inquiry employing modern methodologies and advanced instrumentation commences from the first day of studies. The resulting research outcomes are regularly published in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals within the field
- Graduates of the programme develop the expertise to engage with one of the priority areas of the Russian Federation's Scientific and Technological Development Strategy: the advancement of nature-like technologies

Main areas of research

- Structural Mineralogy
- Design and Modern Materials
- Mineral-Like and Hybrid Functional Materials
- Crystal Chemistry of Uranium Compounds
- Biomineralogy and Biotechnology
- Organic Mineralogy
- High-Pressure and High-Temperature Crystal Chemistry
- Space Mineralogy

Career opportunities

##### **Internships at:**

- Academy of Sciences Institutes: I. Grebenshchikov Institute of Silicate Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Kola Science Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- State Scientific-Production Organisations: Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation
- Research Institutions: A. Karpinsky Russian Geological Research Institute

##### **Graduates are prepared for professional engagement in the field of crystalline substance research both within Russia and internationally in the following fields:**

- Research: Within academic institutions, industry-specific research institutes, and higher education institutions.
- Scientific Production: In manufacturing organisations of relevant specialisation.
- Academic Teaching: At general secondary, additional secondary, and higher education institutions.
- Administrative Management: In natural resource governance bodies, scientific and industrial organisations, and relevant state-owned and private firms and companies.
- Project Design: In state and expeditionary project organisations.
- Expert Consultancy: In state and public organisations conducting mineralogical and resource assessments.

##### **Professions**

- Crystallographer
- Mineralogist
- Research Scientist (field-specific)
- University Lecturer (field-specific)

##### **Organisations where our graduates work**

- Universities in Russia and worldwide, secondary and additional education institutions
- Academic and governmental research organisations specialising in geological, environmental, and physical sciences
- Private sector companies and graduate-established businesses

[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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