University of Duhok Geology Students Conduct Field Visits in Al-Qosh, Birgin and Bakoz
Hands-On Experience Enhances Applied Learning in Geology
📍 Al-Qosh-Duhok | May 20, 2025 – University Press Office (UNPO) | As part of its commitment to integrating applied fieldwork with academic excellence, the Department of Geology at the University of Duhok’s College of Science organized a scientific field trip on Monday, April 28, 2025, for third-year students specializing in Engineering Geology. The excursion took place in the geologically significant Al-Qosh region, known for its diverse rock formations and structural features.
The trip was academically led by Associate Professor Dr. Dr. Ezaldin Saleh Al-Jawadi and Instructor Zeyad Danial Zaya, with support from research assistants Ms. Lolav Bizhar Salman and Mr. Ramzi Anwar Hussein. It focused on hands-on learning about rock mass characterization—a key component in engineering geology used in infrastructure planning, slope stability analysis, tunneling, and hazard assessment.
🎯 Learning Objectives and Strategic Outcomes
The fieldwork aligns with the University of Duhok’s Strategic Plan 2023–2038, particularly in the areas of:
- Enhancing experiential and field-based learning in natural sciences
- Strengthening curriculum-to-career pathways in geological engineering
- Preparing students for environmental assessment and regional development roles
- Promoting interdisciplinary research in geology and civil engineering
- Fostering local knowledge applications for sustainable infrastructure
During the field trip, students applied scientific observation methods to evaluate lithological composition, fracture systems, bedding planes, and weathering effects on different rock units. This hands-on experience provided a direct link between theoretical knowledge and real-world geological applications.
📍 Stratigraphy Studies in Duhok: Bakoz and Birjin Visits in a related academic initiative
On April 23, 2025, second-year geology department students, under the supervision of Instructor Ashti Taher Mohammed, conducted a field visit to two areas in Duhok—Bakoz and Birjin—to study the stratigraphy of the Bekhair Anticline. This visit was designed to deepen student understanding of the principles of stratigraphy and field mapping.
In Bakoz, students explored:
- Stratigraphic units and bed types
- Boundary types and field measurements
- Rock bed descriptions and lithological column creation
In Birjin, students observed the cross-cutting of an igneous body within sedimentary rocks. They practiced creating topographic profiles and identified key stratigraphic markers for field interpretation. These field activities reinforced theoretical concepts and supported student skill development in geological mapping and structural analysis.
Photos from both trips show students actively participating in sketching geological cross-sections, and engaging in group discussions about rock quality designation (RQD) and slope failure potential.
This initiative reflects UOD’s educational model, which balances classroom instruction with robust field engagement, equipping students with the skills required for advanced study and immediate employability.
📢 University Press Office | May 20, 2025
📝 Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Nizheen A. Ali
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