Introduction

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur was established in 2018 with the appointment of three Assistant Professors under the leadership of Honourable Vice Chancellor Prof. Raja Ram Yadav and Director, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) Institute of Physical Sciences for Study and Research. The department currently runs courses in M.Sc. (Applied Geology), Ph.D. and PUPDF (Purvanchal University Post Doctoral Fellowship) programme. Our Department has competent and distinguished faculties with considerable teaching and research experiences in almost all branches of Geology: Mineralogy, Crystallography, Structure and Tectonics, Petrology (Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary), Stratigraphy, Palaeontology (Invertebrate, Vertebrate, Micropaleontology, Palaeobotany), Geochemistry, Coal and Petroleum Geology, Hydrogeology, Economic Geology, Engineering Geology, Remote Sensing & GIS, Mineral Exploration & Geomorphology. 

Apart from teaching, the faculty members of the department are actively engaged in diverse research fields of Geology that vary from petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry of igneous and sedimentary rocks to paleoclimatology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, remote sensing, geomorphology and seismology. The research in department aims to integrate theory, modelling, experiments, measurements and observations so that to reach a full understanding of the geological problems. 

In an initial effort, the Department aims to set-up a Museum with maximum number of rocks, minerals and fossils from type areas and other geologically important horizons in India and abroad. Subsequently, well equipped laboratories will be set-up with sophisticated instruments to support high quality teaching and research. The PG programme in the Department follow rigorous semester system and possess a 2-year (4 semester) M.Sc. Applied Geology. The education programme in ‘Applied Geology’ was initiated with an impetus to generate a workforce that could turn into a substantially trained pool to meet the world’s demand of Geologists. Therefore, in tune with the “Training and Placement” cell of the University, the department look forward to provide best employment opportunities to the trained postgraduates in Mining and Oil Exploration Industries and other Government Institutions. In addition, we motivate students to take teaching and research as a career and join national and international leading research laboratories. The department is also signing MoUs with industry and entrepreneurs and creating new educational opportunities for graduate students.