Department of Geological Sciences

DEPARTMENTAL PROFILE

The Department of Geological Sciences, formerly known as the ‘Department of Geology’, under Gauhati University, was established in 1950.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of the Department of Geological Sciences are to impart higher education in geology in post-graduate level and to provide facilities as well as supervision for doctoral research for the aspiring students in diverse branches like igneous and metamorphic petrology, structural geology, sedimentology, coal geology, hydrogeology, petroleum geology, economic geology etc. The department is also giving special emphasis to promote the knowledge as well as to build-up the geological database especially from North East India, which are yet to be explored at large.

HISTORY

The Department of Geological Sciences, formerly known as the ‘Department of Geology’, under Gauhati University was established in 1950 with undergraduate teaching initially. Pos Graduate teaching and research activities in the department started in the year 1956. In 1984, the UGC selected the department under ‘COSIST’ Programme and sanctioned Rs. 48.2 lakhs for infrastructural development. Taking into consideration of the wider perspective of Geology, the department was rechristened as the ‘Department of Geological Sciences’ in 1986. in the year 2003, this department has received a major sponsorship for development of a central computer laboratory, networking, remote sensing and GIS facility under the FIST Programme of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India.

The department is well equipped for teaching and research with four general laboratories and seven special laboratories. Audiovisual teaching aids, a well-equipped general conference hall and a seminar library with most of the required books, a central Computer laboratory, digital image processing and GIS facility provide a conductive atmosphere for teaching and research. The department is also having a geological museum with good collection of rocks and minerals samples, gemstones and fossils.