Programme description

Geology combines basic disciplines of natural sciences with knowledge on the environment, basic economics, and technical sciences and meets environmental and economic needs. Effective dealing with waste, forecasting the future of our planet, alternative energy supplies, colonisation of space are all not possible without geology!

This study programme produces specialists and competent employees of geological service, industrial companies, educational units, and public institutions concerned with the area of regional development, economy, infrastructure, or environmental protection, who have deep geological knowledge and abilities to use it to work for the benefit of the public interest and the development and preservation of geological heritage.

Why study Geology at the JU? Because of the appealing and varied study program, the possibility to choose courses for yourself, the availability of cutting-edge technologies, which correspond to the ones used in the geological companies, and many field activities and international research projects.

Information regarding Faculty

The Faculty of Geography and Geology was established in 2017. It is one of the youngest faculties at the oldest Polish university, which, drawing on tradition, uses modern solutions. It was granted the category A by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Programmes conducted at the Faculty have been leading in rankings prepared by the Education Foundation “Perspektywy” for many years.

Research conducted by the scientists from the Faculty of Geography and Geology uses the potential of geographic and geological sciences by addressing the current problems, dilemmas of our civilisation, and the needs of the modern human. The areas of interest of research projects are, i.e. the human impact on the environment, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, or the study of Mars.

The Faculty of Geography and Geology is located at the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival. The Faculty consists of two institutes: the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management and the Institute of Geological Sciences. Classes are taught in the Faculty’s buildings using cutting-edge research and didactic infrastructure (i.e., specialised labs and analysis equipment labs)  and in the form of field activities in Poland and abroad.

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Positive evaluation of the study programme rating awarded by the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA)
• The Ranking of Study Programmes prepared by the ‘Perspektywy’ Education Foundation:
  • 1nd place in 2019
  • 2st place between 2020 and 2023
• Scientific category A in the discipline of Earth and Environmental Sciences awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations operate at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences, and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes, such as Erasmus+, CEEPUS, Utrecht Network, bilateral exchange programmes, European university Una Europa, or the domestic mobility programme called MOST.

More than just studies

• Student Government of the Faculty of Geography and Geology

From our students

Kinga, PhD student
Which classes did you find the most interesting, and why? I have learned the most from field activities and classes, which allowed me to look at nature differently. Thanks to modern tools – such as scanning electron microscope – the way I look at the world has deepened so much. The world is even more beautiful and complex than I thought based on the information I have read in the books and obtained during my travels.

From our lecturers

Dr Wojciech Wróblewski, the Institute of Geological Sciences
What is your recipe for success in your field? I think that hard work is a recipe for success, not only in my field but in every aspect of life. Experience gained during field activities and in laboratories is crucial to the geologist’s work. Field activities give unique access to observing geological processes on Earth in various natural circumstances. In laboratories, we verify our field observations and enrich our work by gaining new skills and techniques.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

Graduate in the field of Geology has knowledge, abilities and competencies appropriate for geological works at a professional level. Has basic knowledge in applied geology, hydrogeology, and environmental protection and shaping, which enables them to work at institutions dealing with the prevention of adverse effects of human activity resulting mainly from the exploitation of natural resources. JU Geology graduates may work at:

• state geological service
• geological, geophysical and industrial companies
• exploration and extraction units at oil companies
• geological service at mines
• state administration (environmental protection and geological units at various levels), educational units, and public institutions working in the area of regional economic development, infrastructure, or environmental protection
• research institutions at universities and the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN)

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
• Post diploma programmes
• Other second-cycle programme

What alumni say about us

Jakub Zygmunt
Studying geology allowed me to deepen my passion for natural sciences and showed me that geology is not as arcane as one may think. The low-key atmosphere during studies, individual approach to students, extraordinary willingness to help students on the part of some employees, and variety of opportunities for field activities are only a few advantages of the Institute of Geological Sciences.

Łukasz Karda
My studies were a mixture of studying, trips and a good time. Yearly internships were a great experience. The studies taught me a lot, including curiosity and cause-effect thinking. Immediately after graduation, I started working as a Mudlogger at the Halliburton company. That job involved monitoring drillings and completing geological descriptions of profiles. It is usually the beginning of a path to other jobs in the oil industry. I worked on the North Sea, in France and Poland during drillings in search of shale gas.

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

The Institute of Geological Sciences offers a wide range of events for primary and high school students. You can find the complete offer on the Institute's website.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Institute of Geological Sciences, a unit of the Faculty of Geography and Geology. The Institute is located in the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival, so-called the Third Campus, in Kraków’s district – Ruczaj. For more information, please contact:

studia.ing@uj.edu.pl

ul. Gronostajowa 3a, room 1.08
30-387 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 664 43 55

ing.uj.edu.pl
wgig.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Geography (Faculty of Geography and Geology) – programme in Polish
• Spatial E-Planning (Faculty of Geography and Geology) – programme in Polish
• Geography and Spatial Planning (Faculty of Geography and Geology) – programme in Polish
• Earth Sciences in a Changing World (Faculty of Geography and Geology)
• Environmental Protection and Management (Faculty of Biology)