Page 113 - BOOKLET UNDERGRADUATE SESSION 2021/2022

Faculty of Science Booklet, Academic Session 2021/2022

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 13 academic staffs, and 20 supporting
staffs. 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 30 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 offers MSc.
Petroleum Geoscience by coursework every year.

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 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). 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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