Dear Students,
Geology is the scientific discipline that studies the composition, structure, and evolution of the Earth’s crust, the processes that shape it, and the effects of these processes on humans and life. With current technological advancements, the scope of Geological Engineering has expanded. The main areas where geological engineers work include the exploration, utilization, and conservation of underground resources (metallic minerals, industrial raw materials, petroleum, natural gas, coal, geothermal energy, water, etc.); protection from natural hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, landslides, rockfalls, liquefaction, floods, etc.); assessment of ground conditions for engineering structures (buildings, roads, bridges, dams, tunnels, pipelines); geotourism (caves, canyons, glaciers, fairy chimneys, travertines, volcanic areas, natural history museums); medical geology (effects of fossil fuels, geothermal resources, drinking water arsenic, fluoride, iodine, selenium pollution, radon gas, asbestos and silica dust); and geoarchaeology (geological and geomorphological characteristics of ancient settlements, underground resources, natural disaster features).
Geological engineers play a significant role in enhancing the national economy and improving human life standards, offering a wide range of career opportunities. Our graduates can advance academically in geology, geophysics, and mining engineering departments at approximately 30 universities in Turkey, as well as at many research centers. They can also find employment in public institutions such as the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), General Directorate of Highways, İller Bank, municipalities, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Technology, and Türkiye Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), as well as in private companies providing mining, petroleum, natural gas, water exploration and evaluation, and geotechnical services.
Founded in 2010 and admitting its first students in the 2012-2013 academic year, our department continues its education, teaching, and scientific research activities in the Faculty of Engineering building on our university’s Ahmet Necdet Sezer Campus. Equipped with necessary laboratories and infrastructure, our department, supported by a young and dynamic faculty, leads numerous national and international research projects. While conducting these studies, we aim to address geological problems in Western Anatolia, produce scientific projects, and train geological engineers capable of solving regional geological issues. One of our main goals is to provide students with hands-on experience through participation in scientific projects, helping them become valuable contributors to society.
We welcome students who love nature, value human life, and appreciate science and scientific thinking to join our Department.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet YILDIZ
Head of Department