The Department of Geology, established in 1961, is one among the lead centre for learning Geology and carrying out research in Geology in the State. The major goal of the Department is to foster geological knowledge among the youth and to equip them for professional careers in various fields of Geology. The long term goal is to establish itself as a center of excellence in Geology.
The Department offers B.Sc. Geology and M.Sc. Applied Geology programmes besides Ph.D. programme. The foresight of the college management to start the Department, careful nurturing by the founding Professors and the succeeding Professors have transformed the Department into a lead centre for geology learning. The Department is on par with several other lead institutions in terms of infrastructure facilities.
The Department’s faculty strength is full with 11 members – all of whom are Ph.D holders with good teaching and research experience. A well designed curriculum which is periodically updated with inputs from experienced subject experts from industries relating to geology and our reputed alumni to impart comprehensive geological knowledge of the students and fetching lucrative job in the field of Geology.
Department was started in the year 1961 with B.Sc. Geology programme. Prof. N. Natarajan was the founder Head of the Department. He, with the team of three staff members – Dr. K. Ramamoorthy, Dr. S. Sathyamoorthy and Dr. P.R. Srinivasan, successfully conducted the department for two decades. The Department was elevated to PG level in June 1983. The Department was affiliated for offering M.Phil and Ph.D. progamme in 1995 Dr. K. Anbarasu joined the Department in 1982. In 1984, after the introduction of the PG programmeDr V. Kumar, Dr. R. Baskaran, Sri. S.T. Venkatraman, Dr. V. Subramaniam, Dr. R. SELVARAJ, Sri. S. Sivakumar joined the Department.
The Department of Science and Technology has identified the department for the FIST support. Rs.30,00,000/- has been sanctioned for establishing Instrumentation and Computer Laboratory.
The Department has 86 B.Sc. Students, 28 M.Sc. Students, 3 M.Phil students and 9 Ph.D Scholars. Most of the students come from nearby villages from agrarian communities. Many alumni of the department occupy prestigious positions in Geological Survey of India, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Atomic Mineral Division, Central Ground Water Board, Coal India Limited, Department of Geology and Mining (Govt. of Tamilnadu), Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board, Public works Department, various universities, research institutions, private organizations and Government departments.
The Pass percentage is around 70 – 75% for under graduate programme and 100% for post graduate programme. The dropout rate ranges from 1- 2%.
There are 2000 books available in the College library in the Geology section.
Journals subscribed in the Department
ul class="new-list">There is a Computer Laboratory in the Department established with the support of DST-FIST scheme. Though teachers adopt mainly chalk and talk method, they also use power point presentation frequently. An Interactive Board is also used by the staff members.
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To provide quality education in Geology
To provide an understanding of the Earth System and apply these to the needs of society
To prepare the next generation of Geologists to use latest technologies in the exploration of resources especially rocks and minerals, water and hydrocarbons
The Department of Geology organized a workshop on Image Processing and GIS Techniques in Geology on 2nd & 3rd August 2013.
The Department of Geology and Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam jointly organized a series of lectures on Wonders of Earth during 13-17 February 2012.
One day Workshop on Environmental Protection was organized by the Department of Geology on 30-01-2012.
The Department of Geology and Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam jointly organized a series of lectures on Wonders of Earth from 01-02-2011 to 05-02-2011.
Workshop on Environmental Protection was organized jointly by the Department of Geology and public works Department on 24th September 2010.
XXII Indian Colloquium on Micropaleontology and Stratigraphy was organized by the Department of Geology for three days from 16-18 December 2009 with financial support from UGC, DST, MoES, CSIR and National College.
The Department of Geology and Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam jointly organized a Series of Lectures on "Wonders of Earth" from 02.03.2009 to 07.03.2009 at Tamil Sangam Building. A Total of 6 lectures were delivered by the faculty members of the Department of Geology.
The Department of Geology and Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam have been organizing jointly a Series of Lectures on Wonders of Earth since last year. This year, the programme was organized from 08.02.2010 to 13.02.2010 at Tamil Sangam Building. A Total of 7 lectures were delivered by the faculty members of the Department of Geology.
The Department of Geology and Tiruchirapalli Tamil Sangam have been organizing jointly a Series of Lectures on Wonders of Earth since last year. This year, the programme was organized from 08.02.2010 to 13.02.2010 at Tamil Sangam Building. A Total of 7 lectures were delivered by the faculty members of the Department of Geology.
National Workshop on Applications of Micropaleontology in Environmental and Energy Resource Management during 14-12-2009.
DST Sponsored Workshop on Coastal Non-Living Resources from 13th to 15th March 2008.
UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Coastal Zones of India on 6th and 7th December 2007.
TNSCST Sponsored Orientation Programme on Geo-Science for School Teachers from 05-09-2007 to 07-09-2007.
The department has been providing free consultancy for groundwater exploration. Such help was rendered to Shrimati Indira Gandhi College (1988), Jesus Infant School (1989) and Saranathan College of Engineering, Panjapur (1999). Some of our old students are self-employed as groundwater consultants and Granite experts.
Specimens of minerals, rocks and fossils (from out of our field collection) have been donated for display in schools and colleges. Our students have participated and presented stalls in the science exhibitions organized by the Metallurgy Department of the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli (1988), Alagappa Government Arts College, Karaikudi (1997), Annai Indira Higher Secondary School, Muthukulam (2001), Campion Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirapalli (2000), Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya Matriculation School, Gundur (2003) and the 2 (TN) ARMD SQN NCC (2001, 2002 & 2003).
Inputs are given to the sister institutions when they seek assistance for doing the interdisciplinary projects. The faculty provided guidance for the students of Campion Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirapalli for submitting project reports in connection with a Science Forum Competition (1998), organized by the Education Ministry. One of the participants secured first place in the State level and came second at National level.
The faculty presented the research material and gave field support for a Doordarshan programme on "Geological Heritage of the Ariyalur Region in Tamil Nadu" produced by "Vilambara" for "Surabhi" telecast during February 1996.
Faculty in the department coordinated with the ´Cauvery Protection Council´ and AREAD to evaluate the impact of sand mining on environment during 1999 and 2001. In the preparation of the DST funded status report during January, 2001 on "Groundwater Quality" in Tiruchirapalli, representatives from NGO´s were co-opted along with the officials of Tiruchirapalli Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board.
The Department of Geology has a strong Alumni Association that connects former students with the department, fostering a dynamic relationship that benefits both current students and the department as a whole. Alumni contribute significantly by serving as resource persons, offering guidance on employment opportunities, and supporting the department’s intellectual and infrastructural development through financial contributions. Regular Alumni Meetings are organized to maintain these connections. Additionally, alumni play an active role in collecting rocks, fossils, and minerals essential for advanced research, further enriching the department’s resources.
| S.No | Name of the Alumnus | Designation | Department / Institution / Organisation | Place |
| 1 | M. Arumugam | General Manager | ONGC | Chennai |
| 2 | Dr. S. Ramesh | Scientist 'G' | Head, Deep Sea Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, GoI | Chennai |
| 3 | Dr. A. Rolland Andrade | Scientist 'C' | Isotope Hydrology Division, Ministry of Jal Shakti | Pune |
| 4 | Dr. Gobinath Manivel | Scientist 'C' | Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI | Pune |
| 5 | Dr. M. Prakasam | Scientist 'B' | Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology | Dehra Dun |
| 6 | Mr. P. Raja | Principal Scientist | Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation Research Centre, ICAR | Koraput, Odisha |
| 7 | Mr. K. Sukumar | DGM (Exploration) | Mineral Exploration Consultancy Limited | Nagpur |
| 8 | Mr. S.B. Vijayakumar | Director, Southern Region | Geological Survey of India | Chennai |
| 9 | Mr. A. Ranjith | Director, Northern Region | Geological Survey of India | Dehra Dun |
| 10 | Mr. Ramesh Thiagarajan | General Manager (Geology) | Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), Coal India Limited | Ranchi, Jharkhand |
| 11 | Mr. S. Prabhu | General Manager & Lead Geologist | Reliance Industries Ltd. | Navi Mumbai |
| 12 | Mr. P. Saravanan | Joint Director | Dept. of Geology & Mining, Govt. of Tamil Nadu | Tiruchirappalli |
| 13 | Mr. J. Balasubramainan | General Manager | Hindustan Zinc Ltd., Rajpura Daribamines | Udaipur, Rajasthan |
| 14 | Mr. N. Srinivasan | Superintending Geologist | ONGC | Dehra Dun |
| 15 | Dr. R. Neelakantan | Professor and Dean | Dept. of Industries & Earth Science, Tamil University | Thanjavur |
| 16 | Dr. R. Venkatachalapathy | Professor & Head + Director-CGIPS & Alumni Affairs | Department of Geology, Periyar University | Salem |
| 17 | Dr. S. Balaji | Professor | Dept. of Coastal Disaster Management, Pondicherry University | Port Blair, Andaman |
| 18 | Dr. Guru Balamurugan | Associate Professor & Head | Dept. of Geology, Central University of Tamil Nadu | Thiruvarur |
Our Department’s alumnus Wing Commander Mr. M. Jeyakrishnan in one of the six Jaguar fighter jets at the `Fly Past’ – a breathtaking air show at the Republic Day Celebrations of 2024
Wing Commander Mr. M. Jeyakrishnan
(Our Department Alumnus: B.Sc. Geology 2003-2006 batch)
The Department of Geology is dedicated to enhancing student placement opportunities. It regularly invites successful geology professionals as guest speakers and organizes special programs focused on employment prospects in the field. Additionally, the faculty provides training to help students excel in competitive exams at both the state and national levels. Industry experts and prominent academics who visit the department for seminars and conferences also inform students about current job opportunities in both academic and industrial sectors.
| S.No | Name of the Department’s Alumni | Photo | Programme(s) Pursued in the Dept. & Register No. | Designation & Dept. / Organization in which he/she is appointed | Year of Appointment |
| 1 | Dr. J. Christinal |
|
B.Sc. 2008-11 (CB08S241407) M.Sc. 2011-13 GYP1105 |
Asst. Professor, Dept. of Geology, V.O.C College, Tuticorin |
2023 |
| 2 | Mr. Shyam Mishra |
|
B.Sc. (GYUS18041) |
Geologist Department of Geology & Mines Government of Bhutan |
2023 |
| 3 | Mr. Tshewang Rinzin |
|
B.Sc. (GYUS18042) |
Geologist Druk Green Power Corporation Ltd. Thimphu, Bhutan |
2023 |
| 4 | Mr. Sonam Rinzin |
|
B.Sc. (GYUS19043) |
Geologist Department of Geology & Mines Government of Bhutan |
2023 |
| S.No | Name of the Student and Period of Study | Photo | Pursuing Programme | Institute | Year |
| 1 | Mr. A. Amrith Jaffrey |
|
Environmental Land Management (Post Graduate Level) | Sir Stanford Fleming College, Frost Campus, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada | (2020 – 2023) |
| 2 | Mr. N. Gokulakannan |
|
Environmental Land Management (Post Graduate Level) | Sir Stanford Fleming College, Frost Campus, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada | (2020 – 2023) |
Geology Museum in our department is a significant resource for students and researchers interested in the earth sciences. This museum is part of the Department of Geology, which has a long-standing reputation for excellence in geological studies. The museum houses an extensive collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils, showcasing the rich geological diversity of India and beyond. These specimens are meticulously curated to provide educational insights into the different geological processes, rock formations, and fossilized life forms that have existed throughout Earth's history.
The Ariyalur and Trichy regions in Tamil Nadu are renowned for their rich fossil and rock deposits, dating from the Cretaceous to the early Tertiary period. These areas are home to an extensive fossil record, including marine organisms like ammonites, bivalves, and foraminifera, providing crucial insights into life on Earth millions of years ago. The sedimentary rock formations, including limestone, sandstone, and shale, reflect the ancient marine environments that once covered the region. Geologically, Ariyalur and Trichy are significant for studying the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary, marked by the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. The exclusive collections from this area is present in our museum. These sites are invaluable for understanding Earth's history, paleoenvironments, and the evolutionary transitions that followed this extinction event.
The exhibits are organized to reflect various geological periods and include rare and valuable specimens that are of particular interest to researchers. Students use these collections for hands-on learning, allowing them to study physical samples and better understand the theories taught in their courses. The museum also serves as a resource for faculty members conducting research in various subfields of geology. In addition to its educational role, the museum is open to the public, helping to raise awareness about the importance of geology in understanding our planet's past and present. The Geology Museum at National College, Tiruchirappalli, thus plays a crucial role in promoting geological education and research in the region.
Ongoing Project
Title Field Investigations for shore line management project along the coastal stretch between Poovar and Thuthukudi, Tamil Nadu Coast.
Principal Investigator :Dr. S. Selvaraj, (Assistant Professor)
Funding Agency :National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai.
Duration :15 months
Sanctioned Amount:Rs. 22,43,000/-
| S.No | Name of the Investigator | Funding Agency | Title of the Project | Date | Amount (Rs.) |
| 1 | Dr. R. Baskaran, Dept. of Geology |
DOD - OSTC (Major) | Exploration and Beneficiation Studies on viable Silica Sand Deposits around Marakkanam, Tamil Nadu. | 18-03-2002 | 9,71,120 |
| 2 | Dr. V. Kumar, Dept. of Geology |
DOD - OSTC (Major) | Benthic Foraminifera as a Pollution Indicator in the Gulf of Mannar, off Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. | 29-11-2002 | 4,61,725 |
| 3 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
DST - NRDMS | Geomorphological evolution of the coast of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, since Quaternary. | 09-03-2004 | 10,46,000 |
| 4 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
DST - SERC | Mapping of areas of inundation – Pitchavaram and Marakkanam. | 03-03-2005 | 3,22,000 |
| 5 | Dr. R. Baskaran, Dept. of Geology |
DST | Mapping of areas of inundation – Karaikkal. | 04-03-2005 | 4,60,000 |
| 6 | Dr. V. Kumar, Dept. of Geology |
DST - SSS | Foraminifera as a tool to study the shallow subsurface and the Quaternary Geology of the Cauvery Delta region. | 17-01-2006 | 10,84,000 |
| 7 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
DST-SSS | Textural Characteristics of Shallow subsurface and Quaternary sediments of Cauvery delta. | 17-01-2006 | 18,48,981 |
| 8 | Dr. D. Sivakumar, Dept. of Geology |
DST - FTS | Contemporary Foraminiferal Distribution in Pitchavaram Mangroves, East Coast of India - Implication for Sea Level Changes. | 07-03-2006 | 14,16,000 |
| 9 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
CSIR | Exploration for buried placer and silica sand deposits in the Quaternary sediments of the Vaigai and Tambrabarani deltas. | 07-04-2006 | 5,32,000 |
| 10 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
DOD | Establishment of National Early Warning system for Tsunami & storm surges in Indian Ocean. | 01-11-2006 | 12,30,000 |
| 11 | Dr. V. Kumar, Dept. of Geology |
DST-SERC | Benthic formainfera as a tool for Environmental impact assessment and sediment transport - A case study for the inner self of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India. | 14-02-2007 | 10,68,000 |
| 12 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Principal |
DST SERC | Neotectonic activity along the coast of Northern Tamil Nadu. | 25-11-2008 | 9,60,000 |
| S.No | Name of the Investigator | Funding Agency | Title of the Project | Date | Amount (Rs.) |
| 1 | Dr. K. Anbarasu, Dept. of Geology |
U.G.C. (Minor) |
Groundwater Assessment for Drinking Water Needs in Lalgudi Taluk, Tiruchirappalli Dist., Tamil Nadu. | March 2003 |
40,000 |
| 2 | Dr. N. Jawahar Raj, Dept. of Geology |
UGC (Minor) |
A Comprehensive assessment of Drinking water availability and quality in the Kodavur watershed of Karur District. | February 2005 |
57,000 |
| 3 | Dr. D. Srinivasan, Dept. of Geology |
UGC (Minor) |
Geographical and Geochemical study of the aquifer system in Vayampatti Union, Manaparai Taluk, Tiruchirappalli District. | March 2008 |
98,000 |
| 4 | Dr. V. Kumar, Dept. of Geology |
U.G.C. (Minor) |
Impact of Coastal Environment on Benthic Foraminifera from the Shelf Sediments of Bay of Bengal, off Nagapattinam, Southeast Coast of India. | March 2003 |
50,000 |
| 5 | Dr. D. Srinivasan, Dept. of Geology |
U.G.C. (Minor) |
Groundwater Exploration in Musiri and Kulittalai Taluks of Tiruchirappalli District. | March 2004 |
45,000 |
