The Geology Department provides scientific knowledge in the geosciences through teaching, research and consultancy. The main objective of the Department is to offer sustainable geology programmes at BSc (honours) and postgraduate levels which cater for local and regional manpower requirements in the Earth sciences, mining and related industries.
The first BSc geology curriculum introduced in 1998 was part of a double major degree which included combinations of geology with other science majors such as environmental biology, chemistry, computer science and physics. This double major BSc curriculum has now been replaced with a revised curriculum of a new 4-year BSc Geology honours degree.
Graduands are expected to meet the high standards in industry. Practical competences will be learned and sharpened in the field. These practical competences of the graduands are highly valued, and therefore we expect all our students to take a keen interest in the field trip aspect of the course. In their final year, geology students conduct research. This research work develops skills in scientific writing, solving of geological problems and academic communication.
Students completing a geology degree can have careers in: exploration and mining companies, national geological surveys, environmental firms, the petroleum industry, and consulting firms in the environmental, water, exploration and mining sectors. It should be noted that industry demand for geologists may largely fluctuate with the global and local economy.
