School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
Overview
The MSc program in Geosciences consists of 2 years of full-time study in the School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG) at Nazarbayev University. Students are required to complete 120 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits during 4 semesters of study, which satisfies requirements stipulated by the Bologna Process and is in line with the Regulatory Framework for Graduate Programs and Courses of Nazarbayev University (2019). The MSc program is designed as an advanced level follow-up to the BSc program in Geology at SMG at Nazarbayev University to further educate and train students at an advanced level to perform the various roles exercised by geoscientists working in mineral and petroleum industries, environmental agencies, regulatory organizations and/or universities. In the first year of the study, courses include Applied Geostatistics, Advanced Geophysics, Advanced Geochemistry, Advanced Sedimentology, and Advanced Economic Geology in the fall semester, and Advanced Petrology, Exploration Geoscience, Advanced Structural Geology and Microtectonics, Research Methods and Ethics, and Advanced Field Geology in the spring semester, all of these counting to 6 ECTS credits. In the Summer the students are encouraged to start thesis-related geological field work and sample collection. The second-year fall courses include Advanced Tectonics and Geodynamics, Advanced Petroleum Geology, and an Elective course, each counting 6 ETCS credits and students will work on their MSc thesis counting to an equivalent of 12 ETCS credits. The spring semester will be devoted entirely to MSc thesis work counting to an equivalent of 30 ETCS credits. Course instruction is delivered in the English language by multinational faculty with teaching and research experience at some of the best universities worldwide and contacts with multinational oil and gas- and mining-companies.
Geology in Action: Field Trip Adventures in Kazakhstan
Geology in Action: Field Trip Adventures in Kazakhstan
Join our undergraduate geology students as they embark on an exciting field trip in Kazakhstan. This short video captures their hands-on learning experience in the field, where they applied classroom knowledge to real-world geological studies. From exploring natural landscapes to collecting samples, these future geologists gained invaluable practical skills to enhance their academic journey.
General information
- Campus: Astana, Kazakhstan
- Language: English
- Delivery mode: Full time, on-campus
- Duration: 2 years
- Total ECTS credit: 120
Program Aims
- The main purpose of the program is to educate, train, and produce highly skilled geoscientists equipped with knowledge and skillsets comparable to what those graduates obtain in world-leading institutions.
- The program will provide candidates with opportunities for advanced level research in various topics of Geosciences.
- This program aims to produce geoscientists who may work as exploration and mine geologists, geochemists; petroleum geologists; hydrogeologists, geomorphologists, mappers, etc. Kazakhstan, although it is one of the richest mineral resource-hosting countries, appears to be behind in employing new geoscience technologies in mining and exploration.
- Graduates will be equipped with knowledge relevant to policy-making, as well as the ability to compete for internationally competent Ph.D. positions.
Key Advantages
- 95%+ job placement rate within 1–2 months of graduation1
- Field experience in Kazakhstan’s major geological regions2
- State-of-the-art labs and access to modern software (GIS, seismic analysis, modeling tools)3
- Collaboration with top mining, energy, and environmental companies4
- Close student-faculty interaction and research opportunities5
- Supportive academic community and dynamic student life6
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will be able to:
- Analyze and integrate contemporary technologies in mineral, petroleum, and emerging energy resources exploration and development.
- Collect and interpret field and laboratory geological data following HSE regulations.
- Design and test research hypotheses in a geological context using scientific methodology.
- Deliver effective written and oral research communications to a wide range of audiences.
- Apply ethical and professional responsibilities and the impact of technical and/or scientific solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Develop leadership capability and capacity to work in multi-disciplinary teams and a wide range of settings.
- Interface with modern geological tools and resources.
- Formulate solutions to complex field and theoretical problems in geology.
What Will You Learn?
- Advanced structural geology & geophysics
- Economic and petroleum geology
- Carbonate & sedimentary systems
- Geochemistry, tectonics & field-based research
- Thesis research with professional applications
- Exploration geosciences: mineral, energy, and water resources
Curriculum
Electives
- Advanced GIS
- Advanced Hydrogeology
- Engineering Geology and Geotechnics
- Geology of Central Asia and Metallogenesis
- Applied Geostatistics
- Advanced Formation Evaluation
Handbook
Core modules
Where do our graduates work?
- Career opportunities
- Oil, gas and petroleum sector
- The groundwater industry
- Environmental consultancies
- Civil engineering and construction companies
- Environmental planning
- Hydrogeology
- Pollution control
- Where?Companies: KMG Engineering, TengizChevrOil (TCO), KATCO, Schlumberger, National Geological Survey of Kazakhstan, SRK Consulting, Haliburton and others.
Admissions
Our Contacts
Feel free to write, call, and visit us.
Regarding consultation on admissions
On academic issues
Address:
Address: 53, Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan.
Phone numbers
+7 (7172) 64 25 84
+7 747 094 02 30
+7 747 094 02 30
Fees and Funding:
For more detailed information about tuition fees, please contact the Bursar's Office:
For more detailed information about tuition fees, please contact the Bursar's Office:
- Phone: +7 (7172) 70 60 32, 70 91 99
- Email: bursars_office@nu.edu.kz
- Office: 1.248B Block 1
- Address: 53, Kabanbay batyr Ave., Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Call or email us:
Admissions Manager (MSc PhD programs):
Admissions Manager (MSc PhD programs):
+7(7172)69-4628