BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES (HGLS)
| Module Code | Module Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HGL1101 | Introduction to Mineralogy and crystallography |
This course covers fundamentals minerals characteristics and identification techniques of the minerals. The ultimate goal of the course is for students to be able to identify minerals using various methods, differentiate minerals from rocks and categorize the minerals by showing an understanding of the following: -Formation of minerals, aggregates, rocks, and soils -The atomic structure and bonding of some of the minerals -Chemical formulae & compositions of common rock forming minerals |
| HGL1102 | Igneous Petrology | This module conveys an understanding of the igneous The course will review key principles of igneous the processes by which igneous rocks are formed, their characteristics, classifications and the principal uses of different types of these rocks. The course aims to have students understand igneous processes and covers the “what, why, how and where” concepts of magmas and metamorphism. |
| HGL1103 | Metamorphic Petrology | This module conveys an understanding of metamorphic rocks. The course will review key principles of metamorphic rocks identification, the processes by which rocks are formed, their characteristics, classifications and the principal uses of different types of these rocks. The course focuses also on basics of chemical thermodynamics and phase equilibria. It includes also the identification of rocks in hand specimen and microscopically, the use of mineral assemblages to identify the protolith of metamorphic rocks and place the rock in a metamorphic facies framework. |
| HGL1104 | Sedimentology | The module aims to have students learn sedimentary petrology as well as how to describe and interpret ancient and modern sedimentary deposits, types of sedimentary deposits, depositional processes and resulting deposits and sedimentary structures, as well as principles of facies analysis and geomorphology . |
| HGL1105 | Optical Mineralogy | The module will emphasize on optical properties of minerals and identification of minerals under the microscope and other techniques such as XRD, XRF and microprobes. |
| HGL1106 | Geochemistry | This module introduces students to the basic concepts of geochemistry by explaining the origin of elements, and the planets. The objective of this course is for students to be able understand the chemistry of the earth. It includes distinguishing between major and trace elements understand the periodic table, calculating and using partitioning coefficients and distributions of trace elements for application in igneous rocks. The students are expected to be acquainted with the different analytical techniques used in analyzing geological samples as well as be able to describe and explain single-reservoir dynamics and multiple reservoirs; describe and explain acid-base reactions, speciation and complexation in solutions, electrolyte chemistry, dissolution and precipitation reactions, clays and clay properties. Students are also expected to be taught the importance of biogeochemical processes, biomarkers, carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle, -Water /rock reactions, early diagenetic reactions, hydrothermal reactions, metamorphism |
| HGL1107 | Principles of Stratigraphy and Paleontology | Stratigraphy and use of paleontology in geology. The student should be able to outline Zimbabwean Stratigraphy |
| HGL1108 | Maps and Fieldwork | The objective of this module is to equip students with the ability to analyse and interpret geological maps, introduce students to the techniques, skills and behaviour of geologists in the field. The student should be introduced to the main rock types of the Zimbabwe Craton, which contains most of Zimbabwe's ore deposits. The field component should enhance the students’ understanding of Zimbabwean geology by relating theoretical aspects learnt in class to observations made in the field. |
| HGL2201 | Structural Geology | The module introduces students to geological structures. The objective of this course is for students to identify primary and secondary structures, describe the different structure types based on their geometry and mechanics, and to use geological maps to quantify the different structures. The student should be able to classify and plot structures as well as and deduce origin of the structures and predict impacts of the structures. Ability to use stereo plots and software to plot planes and lines, and to analyse the different structures is important |
| HGL2202 | Economic Geology | The purpose of this module is to introduce students to principles of economic geology. The objective of this course is for students to be able define mineral deposits and rock-forming minerals, outline characteristics of mineral deposits and appreciate the origin, occurrence, as well as the spatial distribution of mineral deposits and their relation to the local and global geological environment. The study will be taught how to identify the principal types of mineral deposits, commodities use and basic mining concepts as well as the types of ore deposits, their origin, occurrence (in space and time) and commodities use. |
| HGL2203 | Rock Deformation, Structures and Geotectonics | The course aims at providing the students with a sound understanding of the conditions existing and processes operating on and within the earth, which gives rise to overall plate motion, understand implication of such processes on the landscape as well as understand link between Plate Tectonics and Structural Geology, (volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis), petrology as well as structural geology so that students are prepared for the Fieldwork Course. The objective of this course is for students to able to distinguish micro from macro-tectonics , distinguish between deformation phases and metamorphic phases, and use these to explain the deformational history of a terrain, use stereonets to understand orientations and relative magnitudes of principal strains and stresses in a multiple-faulted terrain. |
| HGL2204 | Computer Applications in Geology | This module focuses on the role of technology and space science in monitoring the Earth's surface and atmosphere. The course will dwell on how Remote Sensing, GIS application to geological mapping orebody modelling is applied to the study of our planet with a key emphasis on geological applications. The objectives of the course will include introducing a student to the concepts of electromagnetic radiation and how it interacts with nature; to develop an appreciation of the different sensors that have been developed to capture and generate data and what useful information we can derive from these sensors; and to create an understanding of digital images can be processed to yield useful information about the earth surface for geological projects |
| HGL2205 | Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology | This module builds on other courses and gives student a chance to analyze the impacts associated with geological activities on structures as wells engineering activities on geological structures. The students should be able to classify the impacts, assess, predict and simulate outcome of geological processes on engineering work. The course also teaches distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust and the principles of aquifers. |
| HGL2206 | Exploration Geology and Mining Geology Applications | This module analyses deposits types from sedimentary to igneous to metamorphic deposits using world class examples. The course aims at imparting knowledge and skill components in exploration. The course aims to equip students with all exploration strategies and techniques for different types of ore deposits in different geological environments. It introduces students to ways of defining exploration objectives for different types ore deposits the field of basic workshop technology. It deals with different exploration techniques which include geophysics, geochemistry, geostatistics, geobotany. The main objective of this course is to introduce students to different concepts of mining geology in order to understand the applications and procedures in a producing mine, as well as the safe, economic, and environmentally sustainable recovery, processing, and marketing of mineral resources from the earth. In addition, students will learn the fundamentals of mining engineering and should be able to apply the knowledge gained in the context of mining geology and mining engineering. |
| HGL2207 | Environmental Geology | This module introduces a range of fundamental concepts in the environment and develop an appreciation for the ways in which the different components of the Earth System interact with each other, and some of the environmental problems these cause and how they can be mitigated. It covers all the SHEQ aspects i.e. safety, health, environment and quality aspects |
| HGL2208 | Geological Field Mapping | This module aims to introduce students to basic geological mapping in a simple geological environment. |
| HGL3370 | Industrial Research Project | Students are required to carry out a research project while on attachment to solve a problem of some sort identified at the Work-Related Learning site. |
| HGL3380 | Industrial Attachment | This course gives the student a chance to apply knowledge gained in the first two years in a geologically/earth science environment to acquire geological skills or competences. The Work-Related Learning will be assessed jointly by the industrial supervisor and the academic supervisor as well as by written reports submitted by the student |
| HGL4401 | Geochronology and Geostatistics | Applications of geochronology and geostatistics in solving geological problems |
| HGL4402 | Basin Analysis and Hydrocarbon Geology | The module covers the aspects and principles of basin analysis and covers fundamentals applications of geological basin analysis in petroleum and hydrocarbon exploration |
| HGL4403 | Ore Deposit Studies and Ore Petrography | This module will focus on ore petrography and covers basic techniques of sample preparation and examination; qualitative properties used for mineral identification and classification of textures under the reflected light microscopy of opaque minerals. It provides numerous examples of the major mineral associations. The course would emphasizes geological factors that affects beneficiation and value addition |
| HGL4404 | Geological Evolution of Southern Africa | The module is meant equip students with an understanding the physical conditions that existed during, and immediately after the formation of the earth, and to trace how such conditions have changed over time in southern Africa. This equips the students with basic understanding of the tectonics, geological rock associations and major structures that characterize the Archean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic terrains in Zimbabwe and relate the rock associations with those occurring in the region and world over, hence linking the geodynamics in both space and time e.g. timing of cratonisation. Students will be taught to use the ‘Principle of Uniformitarianism’ to explain the temporal geodynamic trends and understand the economic significance of each terrain. The role played by Palaeontology in Stratigraphy e.g. significance of Dinosaur remains in the Phanerozoic will be established |
| HGL4470 | Dissertation | Students are required to do independent investigations of selected problems pertaining to thesis or dissertation. Students will be introduced to scientific research, and allowed to acquire the general skills essential for academic and research study, whilst extending their knowledge by introducing them to current topics of research as well as practice in the skills that are relevant to performing research. |