Department Overview

The Department of Geology at Northeastern University has a history of nearly 100 years. Currently, the department has 17 faculty members and approximately 200 students, including about 150 undergraduate students and nearly 50 master's and doctoral students. The department offers a bachelor's program in Resource Exploration Engineering, as well as master's and doctoral programs in Mineral Prospecting and Exploration, Geo-detection and Information Technology, and Geological Engineering. Supported by the “Innovative Talents International Cooperation Training Program” of the China Scholarship Council (CSC), the department has established partnerships with the University of New South Wales (Australia), the University of Graz (Austria), and the Russian University of Transport. In 2015, the department hosted the Second International Symposium of IGCP Project 632, which brought together more than 120 experts and scholars in geology and paleontology from over 20 countries, as well as leaders of several academic organizations including the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

Mission & Vision

The Department of Geology is to establish a new engineering curriculum system for geosciences that features interdisciplinary integration, and to cultivate innovative geoscience talents who possess an innovative spirit, strong creativity, and the ability to engage in scientific research, teaching, management, and other professional fields.

The goals of our department are to:

• Address fundamental geosciences and conduct 21st-century scientific research that responds to societal challenges, including critical mineral resources, energy, and environmental issues.

• Foster interdisciplinary collaborative research among traditional disciplines and to develop new programs not only across departments within the university but also in collaboration with other research institutes and universities.

• To provide students with opportunities for deep involvement in research projects, as well as field and practical experiences, preparing them not only for career success but also to become creators, innovators, and future leaders of the geosciences.

Research Foci

Centered on cutting-edge research in basic geology, metallogenic regularities, and the prediction of metallic mineral resources, while responding to the needs of deep mineral resource development and geological hazard mitigation, the department has strategically developed four key research directions:

• Regional Metallogenic Background and Geological Environment Evolution

• Metallogenic Prediction of Metal Deposits and Deep Resource Exploration Techniques

• Genetic Mineralogy and Comprehensive Utilization of Tailings Resources

• Mine Geological Environment and Prevention of Geological Disasters

Field Trip

Each year, the Department of Geology takes undergraduates on a field trip to Xingcheng, a scenic coastal city, to strengthen their practical skills in field geology. Additionally, the department organizes an annual visit to a mine, giving students firsthand experience with ore deposit geology and mining operations.

An excursion to Xingcheng city

An excursion to Gongchangling Iron Mine