School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
School of Mining and Geosciences
Overview
The PhD program in Geosciences is designed to provide advanced skills and sophisticated knowledge at the expert level for individuals planning a geoscience research career in industry and/or academia. The program is focused on creating research experts in Petroleum and Mineral Exploration and Development, Environmental Geosciences, and Emerging Energy Transition Geosciences. The program focuses on the enhancement of science knowledge through advanced courses and the development of research skills. By the completion of the PhD program, graduates will be capable of designing and conducting independent, innovative, original, interdisciplinary, and high-quality research related to a variety of topics in Energy and Mineral Exploration and Development, Environmental Geosciences, and Geoscience Solutions for decarbonization. The program graduates will be prepared for working in industrial and academic environments, including positions of university faculty members, senior researchers, and scientists.
The program consists of taught and research components. Advanced level core courses enable students to acquire state of the art knowledge and skills in Geosciences.
The program consists of taught and research components. Advanced level core courses enable students to acquire state of the art knowledge and skills in Geosciences.
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: 4 years
- Total ECTS credit: 240
Program Aims
The program aims to prepare top quality geoscientists for:
- To prepare top quality geoscientists who are entrepreneurs able to advance, implement, and commercialize novel scientific concepts and/or technologies, and who are future faculty and research geoscientists for academic careers at universities.
- To develop professionals equipped for roles in policy making, public service, and national decision-making.
- To prepare top quality geoscientists for advanced scientific careers in industry, government research institutes, and academia in Kazakhstan, in neighboring countries and internationally
- To develop high quality doctoral researchers who are ready and able to make a lasting contribution to addressing the scientific, technological, economic, social and environmental challenges of global significance, especially in energy, mineral, and environmental Geosciences.
Key Advantages
- Broad, future-focused specializations across Petroleum & Mineral Exploration and Development, Environmental Geosciences, and Emerging Energy Transition Geosciences.1
- Access to modern research infrastructure: field equipment, analytical tools, and digital workflows that support advanced geoscience research.2
- Modern academic environment + state-of-the-art field and laboratory equipment, with opportunities to work on both fundamental and applied problems under internationally experienced faculty.3
- Strong supervision model: each PhD student has a main Supervisor and a mandatory Co-supervisor, with support for planning fieldwork and data analysis as part of the Advisory Committee structure.4
- Publication-driven PhD pathway: you will be guided to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed research outputs and build a strong academic portfolio.5
- Wide career pathways in industry (energy/minerals/environment/decarbonization), R&D institutes, universities/geological surveys, startups, and government.6
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the program students will be able to:
- Analyze and synthesize contemporary research literature to demonstrate comprehensive understanding of their field of study.
- Critically evaluate major types of research, methodologies, and designs within their field of study.
- Identify appropriate research topics in their field of study, and generate hypotheses about such topics.
- Plan, conduct, analyze, and communicate research in writing and verbally independently.
- Make an original contribution to knowledge in their area of specialization.
- Explain their research and research findings to others both orally and in written form.
- Demonstrate how their research contributes to and builds upon existing knowledge in their discipline.
- Disseminate their research findings and develop their academic/scholarly career through presentations, publications, and national and international networking
What Will You Learn?
- Research design + scientific writingbuild a publication-ready research proposal through critical literature analysis and methodology selection
- Advanced field skillsproduce high-quality digital maps, cross-sections, conceptual diagrams, and 3D models, using modern field tools and workflows
- Advanced analytical techniquesdesign analytical workflows and quality control for geoscience data (rocks, minerals, fluids), using modern instrumentation
- Quantitative & computational geoscienceintegrate numerical modeling into your research and interpret model outputs alongside field/lab evidence
Curriculum
Core modules
The list of core modules
The course will facilitate the understanding of research planning and development, while enhancing the PhD student skills for reading, interpreting, writing and presenting his/her scientific and technical ideas to the peer community. The course will also deliver theory and examples of a variety of research methods and ethical principles associated to them.
Course learning outcomes
1. Identify the core responsible conduct of research topic areas.
2. Recognize the roles of professional ethics, integrity, responsibility and accountability.
3. Understand research profile.
4. Demonstrate effective scientific communication oration skills.
5. Understand how to conduct mentorship and collaboration with integrity.
Course learning outcomes
1. Identify the core responsible conduct of research topic areas.
2. Recognize the roles of professional ethics, integrity, responsibility and accountability.
3. Understand research profile.
4. Demonstrate effective scientific communication oration skills.
5. Understand how to conduct mentorship and collaboration with integrity.
This course will present the fundamentals and applications in the Geosciences of the different analytical techniques used for minerals, rocks, and geological fluids (including natural waters, gases, as well as petroleum fluids):
• electron microscopy (SEM and TEM);
• electron microprobe;
• X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence;
• ICP-MS and ICP-AES;
• ion chromatography and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry;
• Rock-Eval pyrolysis;
• fluid inclusion analyses
Course learning outcomes
1. Explain the physical/chemical principles behind the different analytical techniques.
2. Compare the capabilities and limitations of each analytical method.
3. Design the analytical workflows involving sampling strategy, separation, and preservation; Implement quality control (QC) protocols (control charts, drift correction) and quantify uncertainty and propagation of error.
4. Operate core instruments safely and effectively.
• electron microscopy (SEM and TEM);
• electron microprobe;
• X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence;
• ICP-MS and ICP-AES;
• ion chromatography and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry;
• Rock-Eval pyrolysis;
• fluid inclusion analyses
Course learning outcomes
1. Explain the physical/chemical principles behind the different analytical techniques.
2. Compare the capabilities and limitations of each analytical method.
3. Design the analytical workflows involving sampling strategy, separation, and preservation; Implement quality control (QC) protocols (control charts, drift correction) and quantify uncertainty and propagation of error.
4. Operate core instruments safely and effectively.
Statistics course will focus on the statistical and data analytics techniques applied for onshore and marine petroleum and gas & mining industry. This course will provide PhD students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge on how to collect, analyze, interpret and present different types of data and research results for onshore and marine petroleum and gas & mining industry. Different data types will be addressed and used in this course to cover broad range of research interests by PhD students. Moreover, along with the standard statistical techniques, this course will introduce the aspects of spatial statistics. The scientific research and publication skills will also be strengthened in the process of this course. This course will be targeted to the research interests of PhD students so that they can practically apply what they learnt out of this course and demonstrate the research results in their finalizing projects. The interdisciplinary research principles will also be promoted so that PhD students are able to consider and integrate more aspects in their statistical analysis from different petroleum and gas & mining disciplines.
Course learning outcomes
1. Perform exploratory and descriptive analyses of statistical data.
2. Analyze statistical relationships using regression techniques.
3. Quantitatively compare differences and visualize statistical data.
Course learning outcomes
1. Perform exploratory and descriptive analyses of statistical data.
2. Analyze statistical relationships using regression techniques.
3. Quantitatively compare differences and visualize statistical data.
This course will provide PhD students with advanced knowledge about the geology and natural resources of Central Asia, as well as emerging prospects. The course comprises a series of modules taught by all geoscience instructors and includes topics related to their ongoing research in the region, which allows students to get familiar with potential supervisors and areas of interest. The range of topics includes geodynamic evolution, plate tectonics, evolution of sedimentary basins and their resources, structural and stratigraphic controls on oil and mineral occurences, Geology of Ophiolite belts of Central Asia and related ore deposits; Geology and Distribution of Rare Earth Element and Li Deposits in Kazakhstan; Formation and Distribution of Skarn Deposits in Kazakhstan; Subduction-related porphyry deposits in Central Asian Metallogenic Belts (CAMB); Felsic magmatism and related mineralization in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB); Natural Hydrogen Potential, Geology and exploration of gold deposits; Rare earth elements in non-traditional deposits such as coal, Geospatial and space earth observation applications for petroleum and mining industry, Water Resource Systems, and Environmental Change in Central Asia including a GIS and Remote Sensing Perspective, Petroleum and Geothermal Systems, and Sedimentary Hosted Mineral Systems (Uranium, Copper, Lithium Brines).
Course learning outcomes
1. Actively engage in broader scientific discussions beyond the field of their thesis topic specialization.
2. Apply cross-disciplinary skills in new geological settings.
3. Interpret the interdependence of geological processes and the occurrence of natural resources.
Course learning outcomes
1. Actively engage in broader scientific discussions beyond the field of their thesis topic specialization.
2. Apply cross-disciplinary skills in new geological settings.
3. Interpret the interdependence of geological processes and the occurrence of natural resources.
The thesis research course fulfills the requirement for continuous registration and is designed to support the student in taking ownership of their research progress. A research plan is developed by the student in collaboration with the Program Advisor or Research Supervisor at the start of the semester, outlining the research goals to be accomplished. At the end of the semester, the student files a research report, which is graded (IPS/IPU) by the Program Advisor or Research Mentor (when selected). The “in-progress” grade is submitted and maintained on the student’s transcript; credit is awarded on successful completion of thesis requirements. The research reports and Advisor/Supervisor comments are maintained on file by the School to serve as a permanent record of research progress.
Course learning outcomes
1. Discover and pursue a unique topic of research to construct new knowledge;
2. Design and conduct an original research project;
3. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process;
4. Discuss research and other topics with academics in the thesis discipline.
Course learning outcomes
1. Discover and pursue a unique topic of research to construct new knowledge;
2. Design and conduct an original research project;
3. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process;
4. Discuss research and other topics with academics in the thesis discipline.
This course focuses on inquiry-based research and hypothesis testing, and applications. Depending on the student’s interest, the type of problems students will work on will vary from more applied problems (e.g., mine, foundations and oil-field, and geothermal energy) or more academic/scientific oriented problems. The class will be split up into groups of students with similar interests. In the first part of the course, students will review existing literature, maps, and data, and write a brief research proposal including hypothesis tests and a work plan for the remainder of the course. The second part of the course will be a blend of problem definition, relevant literature reviews, fieldwork, and/or data processing and analyses, and conceptual structural modeling. During the last part of the course, students prepare different structural geological essays depending on the type of methods used. This includes structural analyses with maps and appropriate cross sections and rock descriptions, supported by the structural development evolution of the studied area/problem, and interpretation of results in the context of the hypotheses posed.
Course learning outcomes
1. Gather structural data from a variety of data sources and evaluate the veracity and limitations of these data.
2. Analyze and integrate the structural data within a tectonic framework and stress field, with other interdisciplinary fields of petrology, geophysics, and others.
3. Produce relevant 3-D/ 4-D structural conceptual models
Course learning outcomes
1. Gather structural data from a variety of data sources and evaluate the veracity and limitations of these data.
2. Analyze and integrate the structural data within a tectonic framework and stress field, with other interdisciplinary fields of petrology, geophysics, and others.
3. Produce relevant 3-D/ 4-D structural conceptual models
Keynote lectures, mixed with discussions, in-class exercises, core studies, and field observations in a seminar series on sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and depositional systems. Introduction to current hot topics and discussions on fundamental principles. Specific topics vary yearly depending on the most recent advancements and the course participants’ interests. Topics include but are not limited to tectono-stratigraphy, sea-level changes, and both quantitative and process sedimentology. Applications of sedimentology, sequence stratigraphy, and depositional systems in exploration and commercial developments will be emphasized throughout the course. All seminars are based on reading and discussing journal papers and observation from field trips (modern environment and an outcrop exposure) and core workshops. Essays and presentations required.
Course learning outcomes
1. Independently interpret depositional processes leading to the formation of intervals observed in cores and/or outcrops and identify reliable modern analogues.
2. Make independent scientific observations and generate multiple hypotheses.
3. Design and carry and/or lead a sedimentology study that deals with subsurface, outcrop, and/or modern setting data.
4. Write concise critical scientific reviews related to sedimentary systems.
Course learning outcomes
1. Independently interpret depositional processes leading to the formation of intervals observed in cores and/or outcrops and identify reliable modern analogues.
2. Make independent scientific observations and generate multiple hypotheses.
3. Design and carry and/or lead a sedimentology study that deals with subsurface, outcrop, and/or modern setting data.
4. Write concise critical scientific reviews related to sedimentary systems.
This course will present the latest research in the field of petrology, with special emphasis on the role of petrological processes in the formation of ore deposits. It will make extensive use of microstructures in rocks (petrography),both mineral and whole rock geochemistry (including trace elements) , stable and radiogenic isotope geochemistry and fluid inclusion studies to understand the crustal formation and evolution.
Course learning outcomes
1. Interpret whole rock chemistry, isotopic, and fluid inclusion data to reconstruct the petrogenetic history of igneous and metamorphic rocks;
2. Select and apply the appropriate methodologies to carry out research on petrogenetic processes;
3. Integrate fundamental aspects of petrology in research projects and ore deposits.
Course learning outcomes
1. Interpret whole rock chemistry, isotopic, and fluid inclusion data to reconstruct the petrogenetic history of igneous and metamorphic rocks;
2. Select and apply the appropriate methodologies to carry out research on petrogenetic processes;
3. Integrate fundamental aspects of petrology in research projects and ore deposits.
A two to two-week field course dealing with observation, interpretation, and solution of geological problems in the field. Emphasis is placed on coupling the application of traditional and advanced geological field techniques to complete a detailed bedrock geology map and a set of geological cross-sections to illustrate stratigraphic & structural features and their spatial relationship. This documentation will serve as a foundation for interpreting the geological evolution of the studied terrain. Study terrains will be selected based on a thorough literature review with the aim of selecting and investigating geological exposures of potential scientific and/or economic significance. Later may include a potential analogue for existing or to be developed subsurface operations. On a large scale, the focus is on deciphering the relationship between rock formation and tectonic setting. On a smaller scale, the focus is on detailed characterization of depositional environment, architecture (geometry), and rock properties in sedimentary units or mineralized zones in hard rocks. Students will also have an opportunity to get familiar with advanced techniques and workflows for investigating modern sedimentological processes and their importance in environmental geosciences, as well as relevance as analogues for subsurface studies. This course occurs in rugged field conditions and varying weather, for which participants must be prepared.
Advanced techniques include: i) terrestrial image acquisitions, ii) satellite image interpretation, iii) portable XRF and spectrometer, iv) mobile drilling equipment, v) principles of portable GPS measurements. Students must complete geological maps, cross-sections, conceptual diagrams, work with three-dimensional models, and a comprehensive report during the semester. They will be encouraged and guided to prepare their case study in a format suitable for a publication in an international journal.
Course learning outcomes
1. Create advanced digital geological maps, cross-sections, diagrams, and three-dimensional models and animations.
2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply outcrop and/or modern field analogue studies for resolving subsurface issues;
3. Independently use and apply a variety of field and mapping tools and techniques to draw detailed geologic maps, cross-sections, and outcrop logs;
4. Interpret the geological history of terrain through space and time and illustrate it through a series of paleographic maps and/or 3D diagrams; write an advanced scientific field report and/or a field study research paper.
Advanced techniques include: i) terrestrial image acquisitions, ii) satellite image interpretation, iii) portable XRF and spectrometer, iv) mobile drilling equipment, v) principles of portable GPS measurements. Students must complete geological maps, cross-sections, conceptual diagrams, work with three-dimensional models, and a comprehensive report during the semester. They will be encouraged and guided to prepare their case study in a format suitable for a publication in an international journal.
Course learning outcomes
1. Create advanced digital geological maps, cross-sections, diagrams, and three-dimensional models and animations.
2. Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply outcrop and/or modern field analogue studies for resolving subsurface issues;
3. Independently use and apply a variety of field and mapping tools and techniques to draw detailed geologic maps, cross-sections, and outcrop logs;
4. Interpret the geological history of terrain through space and time and illustrate it through a series of paleographic maps and/or 3D diagrams; write an advanced scientific field report and/or a field study research paper.
This course will help PhD students to become more familiar with the iterature of the research direction and the research topic they chose for their PhD thesis. Main outcomes in the field, research methodology, and gaps in the literature will be studied and analyzed by each PhD student. This course will help students to prepare their research proposal. Each student will work under the supervision of an expert faculty member in the research area of the student. At the end of the course, a report will be submitted by the student to the corresponding faculty.
Course learning outcomes
1. Evaluate and critique existing research sources and materials in their field;
2. Construct a coherent literature review organized in themes and appropriate sub-topics;
3. Articulate a clear and focused research question;
4. Present a well-argued rationale for the selection of a particular methodology and combination of methods.
Course learning outcomes
1. Evaluate and critique existing research sources and materials in their field;
2. Construct a coherent literature review organized in themes and appropriate sub-topics;
3. Articulate a clear and focused research question;
4. Present a well-argued rationale for the selection of a particular methodology and combination of methods.
The Thesis Research course fulfills the requirement for continuous registration and is designed to support the student to take ownership of her/his research progress. A research plan is developed by the student in collaboration with the Program Advisor or Research Supervisor at the start of the semester outlining the research goals to be accomplished. At the end of the semester the student files a research report which is graded (IPS/IPU) by the Program Advisor or Research Mentor (when selected). The “in-progress” grade is submitted and maintained on the student’s transcript; credit is awarded on successful completion of thesis requirements. The research reports and Advisor/Supervisor comments are maintained on file by the School to serve as a permanent record of research progress. The provided student workload represents an approximate number of hours that students are expected to spend on their research during one semester. It is expected that throughout their studies students spend approximately 4500 -5400 hours on completing their thesis research.
Course learning outcomes
1. Discover and pursue a unique topic of research in order to construct new knowledge.
2. Design and conduct an original research project.
3. Develop skills in designing a discipline specific research methodology.
4. Develop a working knowledge of relevant literature in the thesis discipline.
5. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process.
6. Plan research activities.
7. Prepare accurate research progress report
8. Discuss research and other topics with academics in the thesis discipline.
Course learning outcomes
1. Discover and pursue a unique topic of research in order to construct new knowledge.
2. Design and conduct an original research project.
3. Develop skills in designing a discipline specific research methodology.
4. Develop a working knowledge of relevant literature in the thesis discipline.
5. Practice academic writing appropriate to the discipline and learn how to participate in the peer review process.
6. Plan research activities.
7. Prepare accurate research progress report
8. Discuss research and other topics with academics in the thesis discipline.
This course will introduce the students to different aspects of numerical modeling, which are extensively used for the three-dimensional representation of geologic objects, as well as to quantify geological processes, including, among others, geodynamics, tectonics, the movement of fluids and their interaction with rocks that constitute the crust of the Earth, or the interactions between the carbon cycle and the climate. The mathematical basis for these models will be presented concisely, and applications will focus as much as possible on the interest of the students in accordance with their research projects.
Course learning outcomes
1. Integrate a numerical model component in their research project;
2. Critically analyze model outputs based on his/her understanding of the model;
3. Propose a quantitative interpretation of his/her field or laboratory data by expertly using a numerical model.
Course learning outcomes
1. Integrate a numerical model component in their research project;
2. Critically analyze model outputs based on his/her understanding of the model;
3. Propose a quantitative interpretation of his/her field or laboratory data by expertly using a numerical model.
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
- Academy as an educational and research faculty
- 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