Undergraduate Programs

Earth Sciences Department Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Earth Sciences offers two undergraduate majors within the College of Science: BSc in Earth Sciences and BSc in Geophysics. Explore each program below and access the official College of Science procedures for choosing or changing a major.

Choice & Change of Major Procedures Earth Sciences Department

Study Earth Sciences at SQU

Our undergraduate offerings connect classroom learning with laboratory training and field-based study. Students can follow either the Earth Sciences pathway or the Geophysics pathway depending on their interests in geology, geophysical methods, Earth processes, and applied scientific investigation.

Available majors BSc in Earth Sciences and BSc in Geophysics.

Official procedures Choice and change of major are handled through the College of Science procedures page.

Choose Your Program

Select a program to view its overview page, degree plans, and program highlights.

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BSc in Earth Sciences

A broad undergraduate program focused on geological materials, Earth processes, structure, and field-based scientific study.

Geology Fieldwork Laboratory Training

Study Earth materials, structures, and geological processes
Build practical field and mapping skills
Access cohort-based degree plans and program information

View Program Major Procedures

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BSc in Geophysics

A physics-based Earth science program focused on the subsurface, geophysical measurements, data interpretation, and applied exploration methods.

Geophysics Exploration Data Interpretation

Apply physics and mathematics to Earth investigation
Learn geophysical methods and instrument-based study
Prepare for exploration, research, and advanced study

View Program Major Procedures

Digital Handbooks & Guides

Access the official infographic handbooks and student guides for Earth Sciences Department programs.

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BSc Earth Sciences Handbook

A visual handbook introducing the BSc Earth Sciences program, study pathway, learning experience, and key program information.

BSc Earth Sciences Student Guide

View Handbook

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BSc Geophysics Handbook

A visual handbook introducing the BSc Geophysics program, applied learning, geophysical methods, and professional study pathway.

BSc Geophysics Student Guide

View Handbook

Important Note

Students should always check the latest official College of Science criteria and procedures before applying to choose or change a major, and should follow the degree plan that matches their academic cohort.

Program Objectives and Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate programs in Earth Sciences and Geophysics are designed to provide students with strong scientific knowledge, practical field and laboratory skills, and the analytical capabilities required to investigate Earth systems, natural resources, and environmental challenges in Oman and beyond.

Program Objectives

The undergraduate programs in Earth Sciences and Geophysics aim to provide students with a strong scientific foundation in geological and geophysical principles, practical field and laboratory skills, and the analytical abilities required to investigate Earth systems and natural resources.

The programs prepare graduates to contribute to the sustainable development of natural resources, environmental management, and geoscience research in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider region.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and professional competencies.

1. Earth Sciences (Geology)

Graduates of the BSc in Earth Sciences program will be able to:

Conduct geological investigations Perform geological mapping and field investigations, and analyze geological samples in both field and laboratory environments.
Understand Earth processes Demonstrate knowledge of major geological processes occurring within the Earth's interior and on its surface, with particular emphasis on the geology of Oman and the Middle East.
Apply scientific and analytical skills Collect, analyze, and interpret geological, geochemical, geophysical, hydrological, and remotely sensed data using appropriate scientific methods.
Use modern geoscience instruments and technologies Operate geological and geophysical instruments in field and laboratory settings and apply industry-relevant software tools for data analysis and interpretation.
Integrate interdisciplinary knowledge Apply principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology to solve geological problems and interpret Earth systems.
Work effectively in teams Collaborate with others to accomplish shared scientific and professional objectives.
Communicate scientific information Communicate geological information clearly and effectively through written reports, oral presentations, and visual materials.
Engage in professional development Recognize the importance of life-long learning and continuing professional development in geoscience careers.

2. Geophysics

Graduates of the BSc in Geophysics program will be able to:

Conduct geophysical investigations Design and carry out geophysical surveys using appropriate exploration methods for oil, gas, minerals, groundwater, environmental studies, and geotechnical applications.
Apply quantitative and analytical methods Use mathematical and physical principles to understand the structure and properties of the Earth's interior.
Use geophysical instruments and technologies Operate geophysical instruments in field and laboratory environments to acquire, process, and interpret geophysical data.
Interpret geophysical and geological data Integrate geophysical measurements with geological information to develop meaningful interpretations of subsurface structures.
Use modern geophysical software tools Analyze and synthesize geophysical data using industry-relevant software applications.
Understand regional geology Demonstrate knowledge of the geological and geophysical characteristics of Oman and the Middle East.
Work collaboratively and communicate effectively Function effectively within multidisciplinary teams and communicate scientific findings through written, oral, and visual formats.
Commit to continuous learning Recognize the importance of life-long learning and continuing professional development in geophysics and related fields.

Minor in Earth Sciences

The Minor in Earth Sciences provides students with the opportunity to gain foundational and applied knowledge in geology through a structured selection of required and elective courses.

Minor Requirements Overview

The minor is optional. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 18 credit hours to earn a Minor in Earth Sciences.

Courses counted towards an approved minor may substitute courses listed as Major Electives (List G*). However, no more than 8 credits counted towards the major degree from Lists C, D, E, and F* may also count towards the minor.

Note: All course lists are available in the official Earth Sciences degree plan.

A. Required Courses

Minor Core Requirements

Course Code	Credits	Course Title	Prerequisite / Co-requisite
ERSC2101	4	Introduction to Geology I	FPEL0560 or FPEL0600 or FPEL0603 or FPEL0604
ERSC2102	4	Introduction to Geology II	ERSC2101

B. Minor Electives

Elective Courses

Students must complete the remaining credit hours from the following elective courses to achieve a total of 18 credits.

Course Code	Credits	Course Title	Prerequisite / Co-requisite
ERSC2211	3	Palaeontology I	ERSC2101 and LANC2058
ERSC3000	3	Environmental Geology	ERSC2101 and LANC2058
ERSC3002	3	Environmental Site Assessment and Remediation	ERSC2102 and ERSC3000 and LANC2058
ERSC3010	3	Mineralogy	ERSC2102* and LANC2058
ERSC3021	3	Structural Geology	ERSC2102 and LANC2058
ERSC3041	3	Stratigraphy	ERSC2102 and LANC2058
ERSC3051	3	Igneous Petrology	ERSC3010 and LANC2058
ERSC3061	3	Introduction to Remote Sensing	ERSC2102 and LANC2058
ERSC3901	3	Sedimentary Petrology	ERSC2211 and ERSC3010
ERSC4012	3	Metamorphic Petrology	ERSC3051
ERSC4031	3	Geochemistry	ERSC2102 and CHEM2101
ERSC4032	3	Environmental Geochemistry	ERSC2101 and CHEM2101
ERSC4040	3	Geological Interpretation of Well-logs	ERSC3041
ERSC4051	3	Hydrogeology	ERSC3000
ERSC4071	3	Economic Geology	ERSC3051
ERSC4311	3	Sedimentary Environments and Facies	ERSC3901
ERSC4321	3	Structural Geology II	ERSC3021
ERSC5011	3	Basin Analysis	ERSC3021 and ERSC4311
ERSC5012	3	Techniques in Sequence Stratigraphy	ERSC4311
ERSC5031	3	Tectonics	ERSC3021
ERSC5051	3	Petroleum Geology	ERSC3041
ESRC5061	3	Exploration Geophysics	GEOP3041
GEOP3041	3	General Geophysics	ERSC2101 and PHYS2101 and MATH2107 and LANC2058

Available Projects

Software plays an important role in fulfilling the Department's Mission of Education. The Department provides a wide variety of geological Modern Intelligent Software titles to students, Faculty, and Staff through the Department's agreements with software providers.

Petrel
Techlog
PetroMod
Landmark
ArcGIS
EasyCore
PETROG
Geovation
Hampson Russell
OpendTect
Endeeper
RadExPro
WinGlink
Zeiss (ZEN Pro)
Rising View
ENVI
CorelDRAW
Surfer