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Geology (GLG) is a six-semester subject which may be taken as a major subject for the degrees of BSc, BCom, BJourn and BEcon (Mineral Economics).
Geology is a recommended co-major with other Science majors such as Chemistry, Physics, one of the Mathematical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geography, and Environmental Science.
To major in Geology, a candidate is required to obtain credit in the following courses: GLG 1 (comprising EAR 101 and GLG 102); GLG 2; GLG 3. Credit is also required in CHE 101 and at least one other appropriate first year semester course chosen from amongst those offered in the departments of Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. Students are strongly advised to include additional courses in these subjects in their curriculum.
Two, or in some cases four, semester-credits in Geology are allowed as credits for degree/diploma curricula in the Faculty of Humanities.
Field-work is a necessary part of Geology courses and a field course fee is payable annually, or per semester in EAR 101 and GLG 102.
See the Departmental Web Page http://www.ru.ac.za/academic/departments/geology/ for further details, particularly on the contents of courses.
Geology 1 consists of two first-year courses, namely Earth Science 101 (jointly taught by the Geology and Geography departments) and Geology 102 which are taught normally in the first and second semesters respectively. Students who take both Geography 1 and Geology 1 will have to take an additional semester course in an appropriate subject during the first semester to ensure that they have enough credits for their degree. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two credit course GLG 1, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component. Supplementary examinations may be recommended in either course, provided that a candidate achieves a minimum standard specified by the Department.
EAR101 is a suitable semester-credit for non-science majors. Students may not register for GLG 102 unless they have at least a DP certificate for EAR 101. Credit in GLG 1 is required before a student can proceed to any second year course in Geology.
Earth Science 101 (EAR 101) focuses on the topic: "Introduction to Earth Systems". This course introduces the processes that have shaped the Earth and its environment over both geological and recent time scales. The interrelationships between the earth, the atmosphere and living organisms forms a key theme through the course. No prior background in geology or geography is required.
There are two second-year courses in Geology. GLG 201 is normally held in the first semester and GLG 202 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GLG 2, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course. Practical reports, essays, seminars, class tests, and field course reports, collectively comprise the class mark, which forms part of the final mark.
Credit in GLG 1 is required before a student may register for GLG 201 and attendance in GLG201 is required before a student may register for GLG202. Credit is also required in CHE 101 and at least one other appropriate first year semester course chosen from amongst those offered in the departments of Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Permission may be granted to repeat these courses concurrently with GLG 201 and GLG 202.
GLG 201
This course consists of lectures and associated practical work in the fields of mineralogy, geochemistry and palaeontology.
GLG 202
This course consists of lectures and associated practical work in igneous petrology and sedimentology. The course includes a compulsory one-week field course in appropriate mapping and stratigraphic techniques which is normally held in the September vacation.
There are two third-year courses in Geology. GLG 301 is normally held in the first semester and GLG 302 in the second semester. Credit may be obtained in each course separately and, in addition, an aggregate mark of at least 50% will be deemed to be equivalent to a two-credit course GLG 3, provided that a candidate obtains the required sub-minimum in each component. No supplementary examinations will be offered for either course. Practical reports, essays, seminars, class tests, and field course reports, collectively comprise the class mark, which forms part of the final mark.
A student may not register for GLG 301 before (a) first obtaining credit in at least one second-year Geology course and having adequately performed in the other; (b) first obtaining credit in the compulsory ancillary courses in chemistry or physics or mathematics. Attendance in GLG 301 is required before a student may register for GLG 302.
GLG 301
This course covers the fields of structural geology and metamorphic petrology and comprises lectures, practical work and essays.
GLG 302
This course focuses on geochemistry and applied aspects of geology such as economic geology, remote sensing, geohydrology, and geophysics. The course comprises lectures, practical work, an essay and a compulsory one-week field course in appropriate mapping and structural techniques which is normally held in the July vacation.
The course comprises a theoretical component (lectures, tutorials, seminars, essays), related practical work, a field school and a research project. Depending on staff availability the topics covered in the course may be drawn from the following: analytical techniques, geochemistry, mineralogy, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, basin analysis, structural geology, palaeontology, Earth history, geotectonics, economic geology, geohydrology, and exploration techniques. Honours students should consult with appropriate members of staff for guidance regarding the research project and are encouraged to formulate their own projects. The results of the research project should be submitted in the form of a comprehensive report.
The Department pursues an active programme of research into a wide range of problems in Earth Science, leading to the award of the MSc or PhD degree.
Students with Honours degrees are encouraged to participate in these research programmes and prepare theses on their research work.
In addition the department offers two professionally-oriented postgraduate courses leading to the award of Master's degrees in Exploration Geology or Economic Geology.
Requirements for the MSc and PhD degrees are given in the General Rules. Prospective candidates may write for further details on any of these courses. A detailed booklet on postgraduate courses is available on request.
MSc in Exploration Geology
This advanced course is open to candidates holding the BSc(Hons) degree, or its equivalent. Two to three years' relevant professional experience is an additional recommendation. In exceptional cases only, applications may be considered from candidates who hold a BSc degree and have at least five years' relevant experience.
The course is designed to cover the most important theoretical and practical aspects of the exploration for, and evaluation of, mineral and ground-water resources. Instruction is through the medium of lectures, seminars, directed reading, assignments and practical work led by the staff of the Department, and supported by substantial input from experts drawn from industry and other universities.
Field-work visits to areas of economic mineralisation, and report writing, form integral parts of the course. The evaluation of candidates is based on their written and verbal presentations throughout the course.
Requirements for the award of the degree include the completion of any four modules from those defined below, and the presentation of a dissertation on a topic selected in consultation with the Director of the course. Candidates may complete all requirements for the degree within one year of full-time study, or enrol on a part-time basis over a longer period, not exceeding three years. Each module requires at least 6 weeks of full-time attendance, following which such written reports as are prescribed are to be submitted within a specified period. Individual modules offered in any specific year will be subject to lecturer availability and sufficient demand.
Modules are constituted as follows:
Module MT: Classification of ore deposits; ore petrology; magmatic ore deposits
Module HS: Hydrothermal ore deposits; volcanogenic and sedimentary exhalative deposits; sedimentary ore deposits.
Module EXT: Exploration techniques, including geochemistry, geophysics and remote sensing.
Module EVT: Exploration techniques, including mineral economics, ore reserve estimation, geostatistics and risk analysis.
Module HYD: Water chemistry, physical properties of aquifers, groundwater exploration and aquifer testing.
Module EMM: Water, soil and atmospheric pollution, minerals-processing pollution, environmental mine management.
Each of the modules includes a field course of approximately two weeks. Areas where these courses are normally conducted include Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mpumalanga, Bushveld Complex, Witwatersrand and Transvaal Basins, and Namaqualand.
MSc in Economic Geology
This course is designed for graduates holding the qualification of BSc(Hons) or equivalent, and lays greater emphasis upon a research thesis than the degree in Exploration Geology. Previous professional experience is not a pre-requisite for admission. The requirements for the degree are the completion of two of the modules listed under the entry above for Exploration Geology, specified parts of other modules (at the discretion of the Director) and the submission of a thesis based on original field or laboratory work on economic geology. Candidates may enrol upon either a full-time basis (in which case a minimum of 12 months should be set aside for completion of the degree) or part-time basis.
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