Peking University

Geochemistry

I. Major Introduction

Geochemistry is a new interdisciplinary discipline of chemistry and Earth sciences, which mainly uses the basic principles and methods of chemistry to study the basic material composition, structure, formation conditions and evolution rules of various layers of the Earth. Its research range has expanded from the early crustal extension to all layers of the Earth, as well the Moon, the solar system, and many other celestial bodies, and also penetrated into other subject areas. Modern geochemistry has widely brought in advanced scientific theories, such as chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, etc.; broadly quoted trace, ultra trace, highly sensitive analysis technology; and matched with experimental simulation and computer simulation techniques to meticulously study natural geological phenomena. The specific content includes: studying the distribution, allocation, and migration of elements in celestial objects, layers of the Earth and geological bodies; studying the isotope variation in the process of decay, fission and other nuclear changes and the  isotope fractionation rule that are raised in the physical, chemical, and biological processes, and studying the formation time and material sources of celestial bodies, Earth and geological bodies based on this; studying the evolution rules of elements and isotopes in the process of natural geology; theoretical simulation of the formation and evolution of minerals, ores, and rocks, rock-forming and ore-forming experiments; as well as all kinds of chemical analysis and testing. Now, it has formed experimental geochemistry, geochemistry of elements, isotope geochemistry, petrogeochemistry, geochemistry of mineral deposits, organic geochemistry, environmental geochemistry, biogeochemistry, planetary geochemistry, regional geochemistry, exploration geochemistry, and other research directions. Geochemistry plays an increasingly important role in studying and solving areas closely associated with the development of national economy, such as human environment, disaster prevention, resource development, and land planning.

The Department of Geochemistry of Peking University was founded in 1955, and started to recruit undergraduates in geochemistry major in 1956, which is China’s first unit to take in undergraduate students in geochemistry and set geochemistry courses, and the first to build experimental laboratory of geochemistry and isotopes laboratory. For more than 50 years, graduates from the Department of Geochemistry of Peking University have become the backbone and leading characters for the construction of national economy. Except a minority of graduates who are engaged in management work in national bodies, most undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students in geochemistry major conduct related scientific research in famous domestic and foreign universities and research institutions, inheriting and promoting the development of geochemistry, and many young scholars have grown up as the academic leaders of geochemistry.

The Department of Geochemistry of Peking University currently has 1 undergraduate major (geochemistry, granting Bachelor of Science degree), 3 training professions for postgraduate and doctoral students (geochemistry; mineralogy, petrology, and metallogeny; mineral mineralogy and environmental mineralogy, granting Master of Science and Doctor of Science degrees). There are 15 professors, 3 distinguished professors of the Yangtze River, 3 distinguished researchers of the “Hundreds of Young People Plan of Peking University”, 8 associate professors, and 2 lecturers at present. Among them, many teachers have obtained doctor’s degree from famous foreign universities, the majority of teachers used to work in world-famous academic institutions and laboratories, and keep close contacts and good cooperative relations with famous overseas universities and research institutes. It has mineralogy, petrology, metallogeny and experimental geochemistry, isotope geochemistry and applied geochemistry (including: Precambrian geology, experimental geochemistry, isotope geochronology, sedimentary geochemistry, biogeochemistry, and mineral deposit geochemistry, mineralogy, petrology, etc.), and other main research directions.

This major mainly cultivates specialized talents in geochemistry who are morally, intellectually, and physically developed and adapt to the needs of Socialist market economy construction. Graduates are equipped with strong theoretical foundation, solid professional, computer, foreign language skills, and strong sense of innovation and creativity, as well as good scientific style, so as to adapt to the current and future geoscience development and meet the national need for geochemical talents in resources, environment, disaster, and other areas. The geochemistry major sets a national training base for talents of basic research in science, and especially establishes “Li Siguang scholarship” (5,000 Yuan/year per person) to encourage undergraduate students in geochemistry profession. 

The destinations of students in geology major after graduation are generally: 40% students study for master and doctoral degrees, around 20% go abroad for further study, 20% work in unites related to scientific research and teaching, and 10% work in national departments, enterprises and companies. For over 10 years recently, graduates working and studying in Beijing account for more than 90%.

II. Training Requirements and Targets of This Major

Through four years of learning, students can get sound political ideas, morality, cultural taste, and physical and psychological quality-oriented education; preliminarily master the basic knowledge, basic theory, basic experimental skills of geochemistry and the basic research methods of field and indoor geological and geochemical work, obtain training in basic research, applied basic research, experimental technique development, and other scientific thinking and scientific practice; understand current research state and development directions of Earth and space sciences, especially the theoretic frontiers and application prospects of geochemistry; and have the ability to conduct scientific research, higher education, science and technology development, and administrative management. It provides good education of basic professional knowledge and basic skills training for students who are interested in further study.

III. Awarded Degree

   Bachelor of Science

IV.  Credit Requirement and Course Setting  

Total credits: 145 credits, among which: 

1．99 credits for compulsory courses;

2．40 credits for optional courses；

3．Graduation dissertation/design  6 credits；

4．Other studies（such as scientific research training, social internship and practice, off-campus study and exchange, etc.)