Program Overview

Economic Geology Program

The MSc by coursework and research report in the field of Economic Geology is a 1 year full-time or 2 year part-time degree designed for geoscientists who want to upgrade their skills in economic geology and mineral exploration.

Overview

Over the past two decades, Africa has experienced a mineral and energy resources exploration boom, driven by demand for raw materials. The program aims to address the skills challenge in the geoscience industry by providing high-quality postgraduate training to upgrade skills for industry and government personnel. The main objectives of this program are to:

• Create an enhanced understanding of the nature and distribution of various ore deposit types in different parts of the world,
• Promote knowledge transfer and build capacity among geology graduates,
• Provide confidence in understanding minerals in both the mining and exploration sector as a basis to sound decision-making,
• Promote exploration and ore deposit development in a responsible and environmentally sustainable manner,
• Offer an alternative to an MSc by research to meet the high-level skills development of the next generation of geoscientists.

Curriculum

A Master of Science (MSc) in Economic Geology by Course Work and Research Report combines three compulsory units and the Research Report, with three optional credits from a choice of 20 other modules. The course can be completed either full time (one year) or part time (2 years). Each course will last one week and include lectures, laboratory practicals, and seminars. The course is limited to 20 students.

• Full-time applicants should register for 3 core courses, 3 elective courses, and Research Report (GEOL7048A).
• Part-time students should register for the 3 compulsory courses and Research Report (GEOL7049A) Part 1 in year 1 and for the remaining 3 courses and Research Report Part 2 (GEOL7050A) in year 2.
• Each taught course is worth 20 credits within the HEQSF framework. Candidates are required to complete 120 credits by course work and 120 credits via the research project (240 credits).
• Formal examinations will be held approximately two to four weeks after the completion of a module. Essay assignments may be also part of each module, as are oral presentations to the group for each module. Final marks will comprise both class assignments (50%) and the exam mark (50%).
  • Compulsory modules:
    • GEOL7032A: Introduction to ore deposit geology
    • GEOL7033A: GIS and remote sensing
    • GEOL7034A: Structural controls on ore deposits
  • Optional modules:
    • GEOL7030A: Water Resources Management
    • GEOL7038A: Exploration methods in geochemistry
    • GEOL7039A: Exploration methods geophysics
    • GEOL7040A: Geometallurgy and reflected light microscopy
    • GEOL7041A: Geological modelling
    • GEOL7042A: Platinum group element deposits
    • GEOL7043A: Gold deposits
    • GEOL7044A: Uranium deposits
    • GEOL7045A: Iron and manganese deposits
    • GEOL7053A: Geology and Exploitation of Coal
    • GEOL7046A: Scarce metal deposits
    • GEOL7047A: The Central African Copperbelt
    • MINN7092: Mine Financial Valuation
    • MINN7007: Statistical valuation of ore reserves
    • MINN7006: Geostatistical methods in mineral evaluation
    • MINN7012: Sustainable development in mining and industry
    • MINN7025: Mining and the environment
    • CHMT7029: Mineral beneficiation

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have an Honours degree in Geology or equivalent degree recognised by the Faculty of Science plus 4 years professional experience in mining or exploration. Acceptance into certain courses may be restricted to applicants with relevant undergraduate course credits and/or work experience. Applicants may be required to complete prerequisite courses as stipulated by the Senate before being admitted.

University Application Process

Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre. Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Please note that meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results, and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees are available on the university's website. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, please refer to the University's Postgraduate Funding portal.

Program Details

• Programme Code: SCA00
• Faculty: Science
• School: Geosciences
• Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 1 - 2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: 30 November
• Programme Coordinator: Dr Linda Iaccheri