Page 147 - Handbook UG20182019

Faculty of Science Booklet, Session 2018/2019
Faculty of Science Booklet, Session 2018/2019

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY

The Department of Geology is the oldest geology department in the
country. It was founded in Singapore in 1956 and relocated to Kuala Lumpur
in 1960. From its modest beginning, the Department has expanded and
evolved into a multidisciplinary department, committed to the development of
academic excellence in teaching and research with 18 academic staff and 21
supporting staff. From early on in its history, the Department has been
actively engaged in postgraduate research. Master and doctorate graduates
have gone on to become leaders in industries, government agencies and
universities. Currently there are more than 22 local and foreign postgraduate
students in the department. The fields of research being pursued range from
fundamental geology to more applied fields such as geophysics,
geochemistry, hydrogeology and petroleum geology. The department also
have 10 local and foreign master students by coursework in Petroleum
Geology.

In line with the Department’s pursuit of educational excellence, the
facilities are continuously being upgraded. In 1998, a new wing was built to
house new laboratories and additional lecturer offices. The Department has a
computer laboratory, a map laboratory, a library with a comprehensive
collection of geological and geophysical books, and a range of modern and
sophisticated equipment to aid in our teaching, research and consultancy
work. The Department also houses a Geological Museum showcasing
diverse collection of geological items ranging from common rocks and fossils
found in Malaysia to rarely found tektites and replicas of skulls.

The Department is also the hub for the exchange, discussion and
dissemination of geological knowledge in the country and the region. It
houses the Secretariat of the Geological Society of Malaysia (GSM). GSM is
a body that actively organizes workshops, seminars, conferences and
fieldworks to promote geology and geophysics both regionally and
internationally. The Department also engage with Institute Geology Malaysia
(IGM) to improve professional practice in geology.

Through the academic staff and alumni, the Department have
established a good rapport with the petroleum, mining and engineering
industries as well as with other universities (local and foreign), relevant
government bodies such as the Mineral and Geoscience Department of
Malaysia and international agencies like UNESCO. Apart from excellent
career opportunities for our graduates, these efforts and contacts have
opened up avenues for joint research, funding, industrial training and
consultancy work for our staff and students.
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