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The Department of Earth Sciences offers a BSc in Earth Sciences with a minimum duration of 3 years with a further fourth year for honours. The programme is made up of a number of prescribed curricula (combinations of subjects that can be followed to obtain a degree) that involve both compulsory and elective subjects. The BSc in Applied Earth Sciences is one of the programmes in the Physical Sciences offered by the Faculty of Science.

 
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission requirements for undertaking a BSc degree in Applied Earth Science at the University of Stellenbosch are given below. These requirements are given as a guideline only and should be checked against the Faculty of Science Regulations which may change from time to time
 
  • For admission to the BSc-degree, prospective students must be in possession of a matriculation certificate, or a certificate of exemption from the Joint Matriculation Board, with a 55% (D-symbol) average obtained in the applicable final school examination. Furthermore, students must also comply with the following combinations of subject-specific admission requirements for the specific programme to be followed.
 
Earth Science Program
Afrikaans or English (Home language or First additional language) 4
If Mathematics 114, 144 and Physics 114, 144 are selected
  • Mathematics 5
  • Physical Sciences 4
If Mathematics (Bio) 124 and Physics (Bio) 178 are selected
  • Mathematics 4
  • Physical Sciences 4

OR

  • Physical Sciences 3 plus
  • Life Sciences 4
 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application for admission to the University must be done in writing on the prescribed form before the general closing date for applications, viz. 30 June. However, late applications will be considered until 31 October, provided that the further details required (confidential school record or final symbol statement, or study record and certificate of conduct), reach the University in time or that it is included in the application.
 
Application forms can be obtained from:
 
 
COURSE STRUCTURE
Geology as a major for the BSc Earth Science degree requires the following modules: Geo-environmental Science 114(16), 144(16), Geology 244(16), 278(32), 314(16), 324(16), 344(16) and 354(16), Earth Science Field Skills 166(4), 266(9), and 366(19) and Environmental Geochemistry OGC214(16)
 
The table below outlines the number of credits of compulsory and elective modules that are required for the Earth Science degree programme. Information of the modules offered is given in the next section below. For details of the exam modules for subjects other than geology, prospective students should consult the Faculty of Science Handbook, Part 5, available from the information counter at Administration B.
 
 
COMPULSORY MODULES
ELECTIVE MODULES
FIRST YEAR
c=112
c=32
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geo-environmental Science
GEOM124(16), GEOM154(16)
Earth Science Field Skills
172(8)
  
Chemistry
114(16), 154(16)
Computer Skills
171(4)
Scientific Communication Skills
172(8)
AND    
Physics
114(16), 144(16)
Mathematics
114(16), 144(16)
OR    
Biology
124(16)
Mathematics (Bio)
124(16)
Physics (Bio)
178(32) 
 
  
  
SECOND YEAR
c=78
c=64  (min 32 on 2nd year level)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geology
GEOL224(16), GEOL254(16) GEOL244(16)
Earth Science Field Skills
272(8)
  
Environmental Geochemistry
OGC214(16)
Computer Skills
272(5)
Geography and Environmental Studies
GEOG212(8), GEOG222(8), GEOG242(8), GEOG252(8)
Biology
124(16), 144(16), 154(16)
Botany and Zoology
224(16)
Chemistry
214(16), 244(16)
Mathematics
214(16), 244(16)
     
Third Year
c=78
c=64  (min 32 on 3rd year level)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geology
GEOL314(16), GEOL324(16), GEOL344(16), GEOL354(16)
Earth Science Field Skills
374(16)
  
Computer Skills
372(5)
Geography and Environmental Studies  
GEOG324(16), GEOG333(16), GEOG344(16), GEOG353(16)
Soil Science  
214 (16)
Zoology  
254(16)
Physics  
224(16), 254(16)
Environmental Geochemistry  
OGC314(16)
Chemistry  
224(16), 254(16)
Botany and Zoology  
214(16), 224(16)
COURSE MODULES
The following subjects are taught by the Department of Earth Sciences
 
First Year First Semester GEOM124 – Introduction to Human-Environmental Systems
  Second Semester GEOM154 – Introduction to Earth Systems Science
  Whole Year GEOL172 - Earth Science Field Skills
     
Second Year First Semester OGC214 – Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry
    GEOL224 - Mineralogy
  Second Semester GEOL244 – Physical Earth Sciences and Structural Geology
    GEOL254 - Optical Mineralogy and Petrology
  Full Year GEOL272 - Earth Science Field Skills
     
Third Year First Semester GEOL314 – Advanced Igneous Petrology and Isotope Applications
    GEOL324 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
    OGC314 - Environmental Geochemistry
  Second Semester GEOL344 – Element movement, Explorationgeology- geophysics and geochemistry
    GEOL354 – Metamorphic Petrology and Tectonics
  Whole Year GEOL374 - Earth Science Field Skills
 
For a summary of the material that these courses cover, follow this link:
 
 
MODULE TIMETABLES
  • Timetables for all modules in first and second semester (not yet available)
  • Timetables for first semester subjects based on room location (not yet available)
  • PDF version of Earth Science Module Timetables (not yet available)
LANGUAGE POLICY
All BSc modules taught by the Department of Earth Sciences have a T language specification with the exception of the GEOL278, GEOG324, GEOG334, and GEOG364 modules which are offered as an E language specification. In line with the Universities language policy, support for both Afrikaans and English speaking students is provided.
 
BURSARY INFORMATION
A wide variety bursaries and loans for prospective students are available from the University, as well as from private institutions and companies. Detail information regarding bursaries and loans is stated in the Calendar, Part 2 that can be obtained in the same manner as application forms.
 
Application forms can be obtained from: