Undergraduate Geology Courses at Stellenbosch University

Nature of human geography; demography of world population; food resources; Urbanisation: models of urban structure, functional areas of cities, cities in developing countries; Politico-geographical organisation:nations and states in conflict, regions in the news; environmental systems on a global scale; fluvial, arid, karst, coastal and glacial environments, ecosystems and humans; utilisation of environmental resources; global occurrence, use and depletion of non-renewable energy, water and soil resources.

Introduction to earth systems science; star-forming processes; the solar system and the Earth; internal Earth processes; mineral- and rock-forming processes; origin of magma and igneous rocks; external structure of the Earth; formation of continents; plate tectonics; sedimentary rocks and the geological record; geological time scale; metamorphic rocks and mountain building; humans and tectonics; earthquakes and volcanoes; the hydrosphere; surface water processes; groundwater processes; theory of the origin and evolution of life.

Students taking the Earth Science Programme must enroll in this module. The module is composed of eight days field work spread over the course of one year on Saturdays only. These field trips will cover the following aspects of geological field skills: Defining lithological packages, recognizing map scale; working with topographic maps and aerial photos whilst in the field to record information and to locate yourself; identification of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and structures in the field and their depositional or emplacement significance, practical consideration of the natural environment.

The natural geochemical cycles of elements at the surface of the Earth, as well as effects of human activities upon these cycles; the distribution and transport of chemical substances between the atmospheric, continental and marine environments; interactions between chemical, geological, physical and biological environmental processes; analysis of environmental geochemical data (geochemical modelling techniques and methods).

Physical Earth Sciences: planar and linear elements in structural geology; uses of the geological compass; principles of stereographic projection; classification of fabrics, folds and fault zones; structural interpretation of geological maps, block diagrams; cross sections and strike-parallel sections; geological mapping techniques, plane table, theodolite, GPS, photogeology

Structural Geology: Forces, stress and strain, rheology of geological materials, fissures and fracture planes, foliations and lineations, faults and fault zones, folding and boudinage, halokineses, intrusion mechanisms, structural control of fluid flow, introduction to plate tectonic principles, relationship between tectonics, metamorphism and sedimentation.

A compulsory module for students taking the Earth Science Programme. The module is composed of 8 days compulsory field work spread over one year. Field work will cover the following aspects of geological field skills: Defining lithological packages, recognizing map scale; use of structural compasses to record structural information and geological map construction; working with topographic maps and aerial photos whilst in the field to record information and to locate yourself; identification of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and structures in the field and their depositional or emplacement significance; ore deposit indicators and rock associations; practical consideration of environmental systems to understand the consequences of mining activities.

Tools used to study igneous rocks (physical and chemical diagrams, thin-sections, geochemistry - major and trace elements, isotopes, experimental petrology); processes and conditions from partial melting to ascent, emplacement, and final solidification that have lead to the formation of igneous rocks; important associations of igneous rocks (granites, ophiolites and oceanic crust, layered intrusions, andesites and arc magmas, intra-plate and rift related rocks, Archaean magmatic rocks) - investigated and discussed in the context of their tectonic environments.

Origin, composition and classification of sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary textures and structures. Facies analysis and depositional environments. Basin analysis and palaeogeography. Sequence analysis and cyclicity. Stratigraphic principles. South African stratigraphy. Well log/core correlation / interpretation. Sedimentary log description.

Classification, global distribution and genesis of mineral deposits. Introduction to mineral economics. Mineral deposits and the environment. Mineral exploration including geochemistry, geophysics and project management. Introduction to ore microscopy.

Metamorphic petrology: classification schemes for metamorphic rocks, first principles of thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, metamorphic zones and facies, metamorphism of pelites, mafic and ultramafic rocks, carbonates, calc-silicates and felsic rocks, fluids related to metamorphism, reaction textures, metamorphism and tectonics, P-T time curves.

A compulsory module for students taking the Earth Science Programme. The module is composed of 16 days compulsory field work spread over one year. These field trips will cover the following aspects of geological field skills: Defining lithological packages, recognizing map scale; use of structural compasses to record structural information and geological map construction; working with topographic maps and aerial photos whilst in the field to record information and to locate yourself; identification of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks and structures in the field and their depositional or emplacement significance; ore deposit indicators and rock associations; practical consideration of environmental systems to understand the consequences of mining activities.
Students must obtain a sub-minimum of 50% in order to gain admission to the final examination.