Geology Department was established in 1953 as one of the important departments of the College of Science, University of Baghdad.  Since then it was considered the mother department for other geological departments in Iraq. A lot of books, research papers and literatures have been published by department’s staff in different fields of geology, concerning paleontology, stratigraphy, petroleum geology, geophysics, geochemistry, environmental geology, economic geology, igneous and metamorphic petrology,  sedimentary petrology and sedimentation, mineralogy and x- ray crystallography, geomorphology, remote sensing and quaternary geology. Moreover, the staffs are sharing in most of the regional geological activities and conferences all over the world.

During the seventies the department was divided into three branches of study; paleontology, geophysics and geochemistry. Then in early eighties these branches are grouped back together offering B.Sc. degree in general geology.

The language of study for under and postgraduate studies was in English till 1976, and then changed into Arabic. But at 2007, the council of the college of science has a brave decision to changing back the language of study to English for both under and postgraduate studies.    

There are many scientists, specialists and figures in geological sciences were graduated from this department and became leaders of several fields such as petroleum exploration, geological survey, mineral exploration, water resources, besides academic staff for other geological departments in other universities.

The department underwent a great developments in both scientific and administrations. Many text books and applied researches have been published by the staff of the department in addition to translation of geological books to Arabic.

In spite of difficulties that faced our country, the department is still standing to follow the basic standard specifications and continuing development according to regional standards.

The postgraduate studies were established since 1968. The first M.Sc. student was graduated in 1969; while 1981 is the date for first Ph.D. student graduation. Since that, hundreds of postgraduate students were graduated to lead work of different geological fields, in and outside the country.

Some of our departmental staffs are giving consultations for many companies dealing with petroleum and gas exploration, geological survey, mineral and building material investigations and other geological studies for dam constructions and environmental pollutions.