Our department is recognised internationally for the quality and breadth of our research and our graduates. We are the PBRF-top-ranked department in the Division of Sciences at the University of Otago (2018 Performance-Based Research Fund quality evaluation results).
Our research and teaching is linked strongly to the dynamic geology of New Zealand, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica. In particular, we emphasise process-related research that uses our understanding of the Earth’s geologic past to contribute to solutions to many of the world’s pressing environmental problems.
History of the department
A number of very influential people such as W.N. Benson and D.S. Coombs have moulded the history which has led to the success of this department.
The department has its beginnings within the Otago School of Mines formed in 1878; it then gained independence within the School of Mines and eventually found independence as a distinct department.
Around 1927, the department moved to its current location in the building across the Quad from the clocktower/registry building.
Otago Students' Geological Society (OSGS)
The Otago Geological Students Society is a University club that aims to introduce and educate people in geology in a fun and interactive way. The club hosts many different activities throughout the year including talks and social events at the department and guided field trips to various locations around the South Island, all of which include both geology and non-geology students. If you have any questions or would like to join the club please don't hesitate to contact us.
Scholarships, prizes, and student research support
Most of our PhD students and many of our MSc students are supported by scholarships. Both local and international students may apply for these.
Several prizes are awarded annually to Otago geology students.
Postgraduate Students may be able to obtain further financial support for their research, including conference, analytical and fieldwork costs.
Geology Museum
The Geology Museum, which is open to the public (9am-5pm Monday to Friday), is in the south end of the historic geology building. Our Geology Museum contains large and scientifically important collections of rocks, minerals and fossils - the largest such collection in the South Island.
Image gallery
Our image gallery has department group photos, usually taken on the registry lawn and photos from the annual geology photo competition run by the department and Otago Students' Geological Society (OSGS).