Overview

Established in 2012, the Applied Geology Department is dedicated to producing competent geoscientists through quality education, research, and community engagement. The department equips students with a strong foundation in geological sciences and practical skills. By integrating scientific knowledge with field and laboratory training, it prepares graduates to address multidisciplinary geoscience challenges and contribute to the sustainable exploration, management, and conservation of Earth's resources, thereby supporting Ethiopia's socio-economic development.

Programs Offered

• BSc in Applied Geology
• MSc in Applied Geology (Hydrogeology)
• MSc in Applied Geology (Engineering Geology)

Research Focus

The Applied Geology Department has a diverse academic staff with expertise spanning a wide range of geoscience disciplines. The department conducts multidisciplinary research in groundwater exploration and management, engineering geology and geotechnical investigations, mineral and energy resource exploration, geodynamics and tectonics, Tectonic evolution, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, geological hazards, environmental geology, geochemistry, and sustainable Earth resource management. Through these research activities, the department contributes to advancing geoscientific knowledge and providing scientific solutions to national challenges related to natural resources, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and disaster risk reduction.

Facilities

The Applied Geology Department provides students with a range of laboratory, computational, and field facilities to support practical training, research, and hands-on geological learning. The department's core facilities include Mineralogy, Petrology, and Paleontology laboratories equipped with extensive collections of rocks, minerals, ores, and fossil specimens for identification and analysis. Practical training in Remote Sensing and GIS, geological mapping, and spatial data analysis is supported through computer laboratory facilities, while engineering geology and soil mechanics training are conducted using the Geotechnical Laboratory facilities of the university. In addition to laboratory facilities, the department provides field equipment and conducts three geological fieldwork studies to develop students' practical skills in geological mapping, sampling, and field investigations. The department is also continuously expanding its facilities through the acquisition of additional petrographic microscopes, ore microscopy equipment, and computers to enhance teaching, research, and professional training.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the Applied Geology Department are prepared for diverse professional careers in the geoscience sector, including geological mapping, mineral exploration, mining, hydrogeology, engineering geology, geotechnical investigation, environmental geology, energy resource exploration, and geological research. They can pursue opportunities in government institutions, mining and exploration companies, engineering and construction firms, environmental consultancies, research organizations, and academic institutions, contributing to sustainable resource development and geoscientific advancement in Ethiopia and beyond.