The institute manages the Earth Science specialization within the Earth Sciences Engineering Bachelor's program, which provides geological and geophysical engineering expertise at the undergraduate level. In addition, it oversees the Master's program in Earth Science Engineering, primarily focusing on the Geological Engineering module, which is the only such training opportunity available in the country. Furthermore, it offers foundational courses in Mineralogy and Petrology, as well as Geology, for all three undergraduate programs; and courses such as Geological Framework of Hungary and Environmental Geology at the cohort level for certain undergraduate programs. The main areas taught by the institute’s departments include: foundational courses in mineralogy and geology for various undergraduate and master's programs of the faculty; specialized courses in petrology and geology for geology-related specializations (geologist, geophysicist, hydrogeologist); ore and non-ore raw materials, coal deposit geology and exploration; petroleum geology and hydrocarbon exploration; environmental geology, and mineral resource management. Since the 1990s, environmental geology has emerged as a new direction, followed by the development of environmental mineralogy, environmental geochemistry, and the geochemistry of mining waste over the past decade.
The current Department of Applied Mineralogy (former Department of Mineralogy and Petrology) at the University of Miskolc is one of the successors of the Mineralogy-Chemistry-Metallurgy Department (then known as Mineralogie-Chemie-Metallurgie), which was the first department established in 1763 at the Mining Academy of Selmec. The higher education of mineralogical and geological sciences in Hungary (and indeed in the world) began within the framework of this department. Among the renowned scholars who served as professors in the early days of the Mineralogy-Chemistry-Metallurgy Department were Nicolaus Joseph Jacquin (1763–69) and Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (1769–79). One of Scopoli's significant works produced during his tenure here was Crystallographia Hungarica. In the subsequent period, notable professors such as Anton Ruprecht (1779–92) and Alois Wehrle (1820–35) gained significant international acclaim, particularly in the field of mineral analysis. An ultrabasic rock type, wehrlite, was named in honor of Professor Wehrle.
During the 1841 reorganization, the Mineralogy-Geology-Paleontology Department and the Chemistry-Metallurgy Department were established. From 1843, János Pettkó became the head of the Mineralogy-Geology-Paleontology Department. Pettkó was an excellent teacher and researcher, and many of his students went on to have distinguished careers in the 19th century. Pettkó was succeeded as department head by Benő Winkler (1871–99) and then Hugó Böckh (1899–1914). Böckh's scientific work initially covered mineralogy, petrology, geology, and paleontology, but later focused increasingly on hydrocarbon exploration. After leaving in 1914, he gained international fame for his work in discovering the oil fields of Iraq and Iran. During his time as a professor in Selmec, he authored his two-volume Geology book, which was one of the most advanced summaries of its time. Following Böckh, István Vitális led the department from 1914 to 1923. In the aftermath of World War I and the Trianon decision, the academy was relocated from Selmecbánya (now Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia) to Sopron. Vitális was credited with the discovery of about 20% of Hungary's coal reserves, which amounted to roughly one billion tons during the interwar period. In Sopron, the restructured Department of Mineralogy and Geology was led by Miklós Vendel from 1923 to 1941. Vendel authored the first Hungarian methodological book on petrology titled Methods for the Identification of Rocks, Coals, and Ores. In 1941, the leadership of the Department of Mineralogy and Geology was entrusted to Elemér Szádeczky-Kardoss (1941–1950). It was during his tenure that Szádeczky-Kardoss began his internationally renowned research in coal petrology and geochemistry.
Starting in 1950, the relocation of the university from Sopron to Miskolc began. The department was led by Tibor Pojják for a long period, from 1950 to 1983. Under his leadership, in response to the significantly increased number of students, he authored 16 different university textbooks on topics related to mineralogy and petrology. One notable figure from this period is László Wallacher, who wrote a two-volume textbook providing a detailed overview of igneous and metamorphic rocks, which remains the most comprehensive summary on the topic in Hungarian to this day. For a brief period from 1966 to 1968, Aladár Földvári, a renowned expert of his time, was entrusted with the leadership of the department. In recent decades, the department heads have been Attila Somfai (1983–1987), Frigyes Egerer (1987–2001), Ákos Gyulai (2001–2004), Sándor Szakáll (2004–2018), Norbert Zajzon (2018–2022) and since 2022 Ferenc Kristály.
In line with the challenges of the modern era, the department has undergone significant changes in terms of both the subjects taught and the laboratories that support its research activities over the past decade. New subjects and research areas, such as environmental mineralogy and industrial mineralogy, have been introduced. In addition to the classical optical and sedimentological laboratories, an electron microprobe laboratory has been established, and the thermal and X-ray diffraction laboratories have been equipped with new instruments. This advanced instrumentation allows us to not only pursue traditional mineralogical and petrological research areas but also to delve into topics of significant international interest in recent decades. This includes the examination of materials relevant to environmental science, materials science, and even archaeology. The department's laboratories primarily support the educational and research activities of the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Engineering, but we are also open to research collaborations both within the local region and beyond
The current Department of Geology and Mineral Deposits at the University of Miskolc is one of the successors of the Mineralogy-Chemistry-Metallurgy Department (then known as Mineralogie-Chemie-Metallurgie), established in 1763 at the Mining Academy of Selmec. The higher education of mineralogical and geological sciences in Hungary (and globally) began within the framework of this department. Among its notable professors were Nicolaus Joseph Jacquin (1763–1769), who authored Crystallographia Hungarica, and Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (1769–1779). Subsequent prominent professors, such as Anton Ruprecht (1779–1792) and Alois Wehrle (1820–1835), earned significant international acclaim, particularly in the field of mineral analysis. Wehrle's legacy is commemorated by the ultrabasic rock wehrlite, named after him.
During the reorganization of 1841, the Department of Mineralogy-Geology-Paleontology became independent, with János Pettkó as its head from 1843. Pettkó excelled as both a teacher and a researcher, and many of his students went on to have successful careers in the 19th century. Shortly after the introduction of Hungarian-language education in 1867, Benő Winkler (1871–1899) succeeded Pettkó, followed by Hugó Böckh (1899–1914). During his tenure in Selmec, Böckh authored his two-volume Geology textbook, one of the most advanced summaries of its time. After leaving the department, Böckh gained international fame for discovering oil fields in Iraq and Iran. He was succeeded by István Vitális (1914–1941).
During this period, the academy relocated from Selmecbánya (now Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia) to Sopron after the Treaty of Trianon. Following another reorganization, the department was divided into the Department of Mineralogy and Geology (the predecessor of today’s Department of Mineralogy and Petrology) and the Department of Geology and Mineral Deposits (the predecessor of the current Department of Geology and Mineral Deposits), which continued to be led by Vitális. He was responsible for the discovery of approximately 20% of the one billion tons of coal reserves identified in Hungary between the two world wars. Miklós Vendel succeeded him but left the university in 1959 when the department moved to Miskolc. Vendel’s research primarily focused on magmatic ore deposits.
At the Miskolc location, Tibor Pojják served as interim department head from 1959 to 1962, followed by Ferenc Benkő (1962–1968). In 1971, Aladár Földvári became the head until his passing the same year. His research focused on the comprehensive study of Oligocene-Miocene shale formations. After Földvári's death, Richárd Richter (1971–1978), a professor from the Department of Mining, took over the leadership. During his tenure, hydrogeology and engineering geology research flourished under the guidance of József Juhász.From 1978 to 1981, the department was led by Zoltán Némedi Varga, a distinguished expert in coal geology in Hungary. He was succeeded by Attila Somfai (1981–2001), who contributed to the theoretical and practical research of petroleum geology. During this period, in 1988, the Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology split off, and the Department of Geology and Mineral Deposits relocated to its current premises.
In 2001, János Földessy became the department head, and from 2007, he also led the newly established Institute of Mineralogy and Geology, formed by merging the Departments of Mineralogy and Petrology and Geology and Mineral Deposits. During this period, the department transitioned to the Bologna education system, and research focused primarily on solid mineral resources, especially ores. From 2009 to 2018, György Less led the department, making significant contributions to the geological mapping of Northern Hungary and Paleogene stratigraphy. From 2018 to 2022, Norbert Németh has been the head of the department, with research focusing on structural geology and the geology of the Bükk Mountains. Since 2022 Norbert Zajzon lead the department.
The department’s teaching activities primarily center on professional subjects within the Earth Sciences and Engineering Bachelor's and Master's programs. Thanks to the university’s resources and the department’s research expertise, students receive practical training through fieldwork. Both industry-related and fundamental research projects are integrated into doctoral training and talent development. In addition to its academic involvement, the department maintains active engagement with all age groups outside the university, particularly to foster interest in Earth sciences and ensure a steady supply of future students.