About the department
Excellence
The Department of Earth Science and Engineering hosts approximately 50 academic staff, 70 research and support staff and 600 undergraduate and postgraduate students. We are ranked in 1st place as the top UK Earth Science department in the Guardian University League Tables 2020 and the Times and Sunday Times University League Tables 2020. Whether it is through undergraduate degrees in Geology, Geophysics, or Earth and Planetary Science, or our MSc courses, the commitment of staff to an excellence in teaching ensure that our students graduate with a range of skills that allow them to join a cohort of alumni that go on to senior positions in industry and in academia. Find out more about our commitment to teaching excellence.
Research
Academics and researchers in the Department of Earth Science & Engineering are at the cutting edge of comprehending how Earth systems work and how natural resources and energy can be sustainably extracted and provided, using a combination of pure and applied research. Our work in these fields are particularly aided by strong collaborative ties with the Energy Futures Lab, the Sustainable Gas Institute and the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London. We are also at the forefront of applying this knowledge to understanding the evolution of solid bodies, such as Mars, throughout our Solar System.
History
The Department of Earth Science and Engineering is part of the Royal School of Mines, which was established in 1851, growing out of the Museum of Economic Geology set up in 1841. The Royal School of Mines moved from central London to South Kensington in 1872 and officially became a part of Imperial College in 1907. For 160 years, geoscientists and engineers at the Royal School of Mines and then in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering have been committed to excellence in the teaching and research of the Earth Sciences. Put simply, we’ve been studying the way the world works longer than any university in the UK and are one of the oldest in the world.
Collaboration
The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are nearby world-famous institutions with which we collaborate. We benefit from our links with these organisations, where a number of students undertake research during years three and four. We are also closely connected with The Geological Society, which frequently hosts international conferences. Our staff and students often help out at these conferences – mixing with leading Earth science experts from across the world.
About us tabs
RSM Clubs & Societies
The Royal School of Mines (RSM) has its own, renowned, Union, which for many students is a central part of their social life, providing the opportunity to meet people from all years and mix in a friendly, supportive environment.
The RSM Union has several prominent Mixed, Women's and Men's sports teams including: hockey, rugby, football, netball, basketball, squash and golf.
The Imperial College Geology Society - visit The Imperial College Geology Society website.
Relish rocks? Fascinated by fossils? Discover geology with the Geology Society. We run talks, day trips and weekend excursions all over the UK. One of the oldest and most active departmental societies at Imperial, promoting “social academia” and arousing your curiosity about all things geological since 1914. The society offers an insight into this fascinating subject in a relaxed setting. All undergrads, postgrads and lecturers are welcome.
As a departmental society, our main aim is to excite interest and offer you an insight into the fascinating world of geology. The IC Geology Society also runs social events to let you mingle with like-minded people from all years.
Fieldtrips: Fieldtrips are the best and most hotly anticipated events organised by the society – we load up a mini-bus with students, and one top-notch lecturer or PhD student, and head off to places of great natural beauty all over the UK to sample the best geology our country has to offer. Recent destinations include Norfolk, South Wales and North Yorkshire. A day in the field is followed a lovingly cooked dinner by the committee and a chance get to know your fellow rock-enthusiasts.
Talks: We organise evening/lunchtime talks throughout the year. Lecturers and PhD students from outside and within the department give fascinating lectures about up-and-coming topics in geology or about their own current research. Drinks, nibbles and mingling follows.
Symposium: A long-standing tradition; we invite 6 top geologists from across the country to take part in a full day of presentations on a chosen topic. This event is very popular, not just because of the quality our speakers, but because we provide free lunch and an evening drinks reception, all topped off with a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant. Symposium 2020 was called “Geology for the Future” – a series of short lectures by geologists leading the way in sustainability research.
Geophysics Society - here to help you explore the world of geophysics outside of your lectures in a fun way, so if you‘re studying Geophysics, or a Geologist who‘d like to learn a bit more about Geophysics, or anyone else who‘s interested, come along and see what‘s on offer. Visit our Geophysics Society website for more information.
We hold events throughout the year that focus on new or interesting subjects that are right at the forefront of the subject. We‘ve also got fantastic links with professionals within the geophysics industries, so we‘re a great place to start looking at the sort of jobs you might want to do in the future. We have got lots of exciting things planned, including some great talks, a couple of trips and multiple socials.
Society of Economic Geologists - based out of the Royal School of Mines (RSM) in South Kensington, the chapter was established in 2004 to encourage an increasing awareness of geology in its application to minerals exploration and mining. It serves as a platform to connect like-minded individuals from both academia and industry who are interested in the sector. We aim to further the study of economic geology at Imperial College through organising field courses, guest lectures and employment based seminars. Click to visit the Society of Economic Geologists website!
American Association of Petroleum Geologists - Imperial College Student Chapter
Visit the AAPG Student Chapter website for further information.
The EAGE is a professional association for geoscientists and engineers. Founded in 1951, it is an organization with a worldwide membership base providing a global network of commercial and academic professionals. The association is truly multi-disciplinary and international in form and pursuits.
Currently catering for around 16,000 members worldwide, EAGE affiliates are professionally involved in (or studying) geophysics, petroleum exploration, geology, reservoir engineering, mining and civil engineering. The EAGE predominantly operates in two divisions: the Oil & Gas Geoscience Division and the Near Surface Geoscience Division, both of which organise a host of activities for their members each year.
Membership is available at a reduced rate of only €25 per annum for students who major in a geoscience or related engineering subject at a recognised university or institute, with first-time applicants able to apply for FREE membership for the first year (sponsored by CGGVeritas).
THE EAGE STUDENT CHAPTER AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
The EAGE student chapter at Imperial College is one of 25 EAGE student chapters located all around the world. Our principle goal is to bridge the gap and encourage interaction/co-operation between geoscientists and engineers at Imperial College, whilst simultaneously aiming to provide said students with the opportunity to meet experts and peers so that they can share experiences and wisdom. We also hope to provide students with the necessary assistance during what may be the first steps in creating and developing their personal network.
To facilitate these objectives we plan to co-ordinate a wide variety of events to a thorough cross-section of the student population (whether BSc, MSci, MSc or PhD) throughout the academic year. Such events include a joint geoscience-engineering academic symposium in spring, the online EAGE Geo-Quiz competition, open panel discussions with young professionals from the oil and gas sector, and various other social, academic and industry-based events.
Each of these clubs and societies organise a range of activities ranging from weekend field trips to weekday socials and even tours during the holidays! It’s easy to get involved and develop your leadership and organisational skills, or just get to know other students.
In addition, you can also take advantage of the huge range of clubs and societies run by Imperial College Union – more per head of student than any other university in the UK. Further details about these can be located on the Imperial College Union website.
ESE Honours, Awards and Rankings
For the current League Table rankings, please see the Teaching Excellence in Earth Science and Engineering page.
The international research and teaching reputation of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering has been recognised by a wide range of honours and awards, received by the department and its staff. A selection of these honours are listed below.
Awards
2020 Barringer Award
Professor Joanna Morgan
2020 Bullerwell Award
Dr Rebecca Bell
2019 Rocha Medal of the International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering
Dr Qinghua Lei
2017 Houtermans Award of the European Association of Geochemistry
Dr Julie Prytulak
Thompson International Distinguished Lecturer award of the Geological Society of America 2016
Professor Christopher Jackson
Dr. N.G.W. Cook Ph.D. Dissertation Award of the American Rock Mechanics Association 2016
Dr Qinghua Lei
RSPSoc Award of the Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry Society 2016
Dr Philippa Mason
Routledge Education Award 2016
Dr Emma Passmore
Rees Rawlings Prize for Best Portfolio 2016
Dr Peter Fitch
Procter & Gamble Award of the International Society for Porous Media 2016
Dr Branko Bijeljic
Honorary Membership Award of the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers 2016
Prof Olivier Dubrule
Halstead Award of the Geological Association 2016
Dr Craig Magee
Futers Gold Medal of the Institute of materials minerals and mining 2016
Prof Jan Cilliers
Postdoctoral medal of the Geological Society 2016
Dr Myriam Lambelet
Wallace E. Pratt Memorial Award of the American Association of Petroleum Geology 2015
Prof Christopher Jackson
2015 Luna B. Leopold Young Scientist Award of the American Geophysical Union
Dr Vamsi Ganti
2015 Rock Mechanics Research Award of the American Rock Mechanics Association
Dr Qinghua Lei
2015 Geological Society Petroleum Group Medal of the Geological Society
Prof Al Fraser
2014 Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing of the Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
Prof Robert Zimmerman
President's Award for Excellence in Teaching 2014
Dr Philippa Mason
President's Medals for Excellence in Teaching 2013
Dr Alex Whittaker
President's Award for Excellence in Teaching 2012
Dr Gareth Collins
2012 President's Awards for Excellence in Supporting the Student Experience
Mr Surinder Singh Dio
Athena SWAN Silver award 2012
Department of Earth Science and Engineering
2012 Distinguished Educator Award 2012, AAPG
Professor Howard Johnson
Rectors Award for Excellence in Teaching 2011, Imperial College London
Dr Gary Hampson
Faculty of Engineering Award for Teaching Excellence in Engineering 2011, Imperial College London
Dr Gary Hampson
Faculty of Engineering's Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year award 2011, Imperial College London
Mr Russell Garwood
Rector's Awards for Excellence in Supporting the Student Experience 2011, Imperial College London
Dr Lorraine Craig
OBE for services to UK/China relations in science 2011, UK Foreign Office
Professor Nigel Brandon
Athena SWAN Bronze award 2010
Department of Earth Science and Engineering
Biot Medal of the American Society of Civil Engineers 2010
Prof. Robert Zimmerman
Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering 2010
Prof. Jan Cilliers
2010 Coke Medal of the Geological Society of London
Prof Dick Selley
Major Edward D'Ewel Fitzgerald Medal 2009, The Geological Society
Prof. Jane Plant
President's Award 2009, The Geological Society
Dr Alex Whittaker
Honorary Member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers 2009, SPE
Prof. Alain Gringarten
SPE Regional Service Award for the North Sea 2009, Society for Petroleum Engineers
Prof. Alain Gringarten
Rectors Award for Pastoral Care 2009, Imperial College London
Dr Lorraine Craig
Rectors Medal for Teaching 2009, Imperial College London
Dr Matthew Genge
Imperial College Teaching Fellow 2009, Imperial College London
Dr Matthew Genge
College Teaching Excellence Award 2009, Imperial College London
Dr Matthew Genge
Award for Excellence in Engineering Education 2009, Imperial College London
Dr Matthew Genge
BP Technology Fellow 2006-2008, British Petroleum
Prof. Ann Muggeridge
Nobel Peace Prize 2007, Nobel Foundation
Prof. John Woods
Lyell Medal 2007, The Geological Society
Prof. Phil Allen
Royal Academy of Engineering Silver Award 2007, Royal Academy of Engineering
Prof. Nigel Brandon
William Smith Medal 2007, The Geological Society
Prof. Mike Worthington (Emeritus)
Antarctic Service Medal 2007, National Science Foundation
Dr Matthew Genge
Lindsley Thayer Visiting Lecturer 2007, Society of Economic Geologists
Dr Jamie Wilkinson
Imperial College Teaching Fellow 2007, Imperial College London
Prof. John Cosgrove
College Teaching Excellence Award 2007, Imperial College London
Prof. John Cosgrove
Award for Excellence in Engineering Education 2007, Imperial College London
Prof. John Cosgrove
2007 Honorary Membership of the Petroleum Exploration Society of GB
Prof Dick Selley
Asteroids named by the International Astronomical Union in 2006 after:
Dr Phil Bland, Dr Matthew Genge and Prof. Mark Sephton
2003 Silver Medal of the Geological Society of London awarded for excellence in Petroleum Geoscience
Prof Dick Selley
ESE Facilities
The Department of Earth Science and Engineering is housed in Imperial’s grand traditional building, with all the state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities that you would expect in a world class university.
Our teaching areas, seminar rooms and research facilities are conveniently located at the heart of the South Kensington Campus.
Teaching takes place within the world-renowned Royal School of Mines building, with audio visual facilities that are updated annually to keep us abreast of the latest technologies.
Outside of teaching hours, undergraduates have their own study room with computers, microscopes and samples for self-study.
The Royal School of Mines building has its own cafe, where students can eat cheaply, and its own Union, which offers a wide range of clubs and societies.
Useful Links
Link Details
Spectrum Spectrum - Imperial College Intranet
InfoEd InfoEd - Electronic Grants Administration
Directory Imperial College Staff Directory
Library Imperial College Library
NHM The Natural History Museum
Royal Society The Royal Society
Royal Academy The Royal Academy of Engineering
Nuffield Nuffield Foundation
Leverhulme Leverhulme Trust
JeS JeS - Research Councils - Joint Electronic Submission
EPSRC Engineering and Physical Science Research Council
NERC Natural Environment Research Council
DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DFES Department for Education and Skills
CORDIS European Community Research and Development Info Service
HEFCE Higher Education Funding Council for England
UCAS Universities & Colleges Admissions Service
Eng Council The Engineering Council
British Council The British Council
Note About the Website
If you have discovered an error on these pages, such as a broken link or missing file, or simply have a comment on our website please email webmaster.