The mission of the AUCA’s Applied Geology Department is to educate a new generation of geologists to meet the current and future demands of the mining industry. Through our relationship with Bard College, we prepare students to be highly qualified geologists both in Central Asia and abroad. Applied Geology looks specifically at how geological issues affect the lives of human beings, studying the effects of naturally-occurring geological hazards (landslides and volcanic eruptions) as well as problems of environmental sustainability (waste management, groundwater contamination, etc.). Additionally, our program looks at how to manage and access natural resources, such as petroleum and minerals.