History of the School of Geology, University of Tehran

1. General Introduction

The field of Geology has been taught at Dār al-Moʻallemin (Teachers College) since 1928 alongside other science disciplines. In 1934, it was established under the Natural Sciences department within the Faculty of Basic Sciences, alongside Biology. The Geology Department became independent in 1959. In 2005, following structural reforms at the University of Tehran, the School of Geology was reorganized under the College of Science.

2. Educational & Research Domains and Statistics

Specialized Groups:

• Engineering Geology, Tectonics, and Hydrogeology
• Soft-Rock Geology (Sedimentology and Sedimentary Petrology, Petroleum Geology, Stratigraphy and Paleontology)
• Petrology and Metallogeny

Key Statistics (2026 Estimate):

• Faculty Members: 21 active, 12 retired
• Undergraduate Students: ≈120
• Graduate Students (MSc/PhD): 150

Infrastructure:

• Specialized Laboratories:
  1. Tectonics (Structural Geology) Laboratory
  2. Plant Fossil Laboratory
  3. Photo Geology Laboratory
  4. Geochemistry Laboratory
  5. Mineral Separation Laboratory
  6. Economic Geology Laboratory
  7. Engineering Geology Laboratory
  8. Mineralogy (Mineralography) Laboratory
  9. Petrology Laboratory
  10. Sedimentology Laboratory
  11. Physical Geology Laboratory
  12. Microscopic Petrology Laboratory
  13. Palynology Laboratory
• Geology Museum with unique mineral and fossil specimens
• Specialized library with authoritative scientific resources

3. Founding Background and Leadership

Founding Purpose:

Established to address Iran’s need for exploration of mineral, oil, and water resources, with a mission to train specialists in Earth sciences.

Current Leadership (2026):

• Dean: Dr. Vahid Tavakoli
• Deputy Dean: Dr. Hamzeh Mehrabi

Former Deans (Selected):

• Dr. Ali Kananian
• Dr. Hossein Rahimpour-Bonab
• Dr. Abdolhossein Amini
• Dr. Ebrahim Ghasemi-Nejad
• Dr. Rasoul Okhravi
• Dr. Fereydoun Sahābi
• Dr. Ali Darvishzadeh

4. Influential Figures

• Dr. Ali Darvishzadeh
• Dr. Mohammad-Vali Valizadeh
• Dr. Hossein Rahimpour-Bonab
• Dr. Abdolhossein Amini
• Dr. Mohsen Elyasi
• Dr. Ahmad Motamed

5. Achievements and Academic Standing

• Ranking: Top-ranked Earth Sciences faculty in Iran per national ranking systems (ISC).
• Notable Projects:
  • Compiling geological/geochemical maps for the Geological Survey of Iran
  • Participation in oil/gas field exploration in Southern Iran
  • Seismic hazard studies on Tehran and Iranian faults
  • National/international collaborations on climate change projects
  • Aquifer and environmental hazard studies
  • Active partnership with mineral exploration organizations
  • Involvement in national dam/tunnel construction projects
• Awards:
  • Numerous national/international research/educational awards for faculty/students
  • Selection as exemplary university/national professors
  • Nationally recognized outstanding academic textbooks

6. Future Vision

• Execute large-scale national projects in mineral/geochemical exploration
• Enhance graduate quality by increasing practical-to-theoretical course ratios
• Upgrade/equip educational laboratory facilities
• Implement national projects in earthquake prediction and subsurface resource management (oil/water)
• Expand research on environmental hazards
• Strengthen international collaborations with top-tier universities

References:

• Official Website: Faculty of Geology, University of Tehran (https://science.ut.ac.ir/web/geology)
• University of Tehran Historical Archives (1316–1403 SH / 1937–2024 CE)
• Interviews with faculty pioneers (2025)

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