Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences in Earth Sciences is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 3 YEARS.

Bachelor of Science in Geological Sciences offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

Study mineral exploration and extraction. Geoscientists are key to South Africa and Africa’s current and future economic development and carry out important work in searching for, and extracting, economic mineral resources.

Overview

Most graduates work in mines or for mineral exploration companies. An increasing number of graduates work in environmental geoscience. As a geoscientist, you must be inquisitive and passionate about the world, be prepared to travel, and enjoy working outdoors or in a mining environment. South Africa’s large mining sector provides bursary opportunities.

If you have good Mathematics and Physical Sciences marks, and take Geology II and III, you can specialise in Mining Geology through secondand third-year co-majors. The School also offers a selection of specialist courses in Advanced Earth Sciences and Applied Geology co-majors.

Curriculum

First year

• Geology I

AND

• Chemistry I

AND

• Mathematics I (Major):
  • Algebra I
  • Calculus I

OR

• Auxiliary Mathematics I (at the discretion of the Head of School)

AND

• Any other Level I course

Recommended courses:

• Geography I
• Physics I (Major)
• Introductory Life Sciences I

Second year

• Geology II
  • Igneous Petrology and Processes II
  • Mineralogy and Optical Mineralogy II
  • Metamorphic Petrology and Processes II
  • Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Palaeontology II

AND

• Applied Geology II
  • Introduction to Geochemical Techniques II
  • Geological Mapping Techniques II

AND

• Basic Statistics for Natural Scientists II

AND

• Any other Level II major depending on other course sets

Third year

• Geology III
  • Advanced Petrology III
  • Economic Geology and Ore
  • Petrology III
  • Structural Geology III
  • Tectonics of the Earth III

AND

• Applied Geology III
  • Advanced Geological Mapping Techniques III
  • Exploration Methods III
  • Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing III
  • Hydrogeology and Water Resource Management III