The programmes in Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology (specialities within BSc (Hons) Engineering and Environmental Geology) are focussed around a site investigation project and core and elective modules comprising the disciplines of engineering geology and hydrogeology. The course content, therefore, focuses around geotechnical and groundwater related theory and practical work.
The undergraduate programme supplies a broad yet strong background in geology (notably mineralogy and petrology), strengthened significantly by soil and rock mechanics, to supply an excellent entry programme to the honours programme where the focus shifts to fluid, rock and soil mechanics applied to the basic undergraduate concepts. Work opportunities are ample thanks to the diverse undergraduate contents and the focussed postgraduate programme. The options in engineering geology and hydrogeology also ensure that the honours degree can be focussed almost entirely (> 80% of the degree) in either of these fields, yet still leaving the possibility of cross-disciplinary working.
More information about Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology is available by clicking here,
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Total Credits Required 160 |
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Credits for Fundamental Contents |
Credits for Core Contents |
Credits for Elective Contents |
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0 |
128 |
32 |
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Minimum Credits Required at Specific Levels |
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|
Level |
Credits |
|
7 |
160 |
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Core modules option in Engineering Geology (128) (code 02240370) |
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Code |
Name |
Credits |
Pre-Requisites |
|
GTX713 |
Site Investigation Project |
48 |
GLY363/GLY362 |
|
Elective Modules For Option In Engineering Geology (32) |
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Code |
Name |
Credits |
Pre-Requisites |
|
GTX715 |
Environmental Geochemistry |
16 |
|
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Core modules for option in Hydrogeology (128) (code 02240373) |
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|
Code |
Name |
Credits |
Pre-Requisites |
|
GTX713 |
Site Investigation Project |
16 |
GLY363/GLY362 |
|
Elective modules for option in Hydrogeology (32) |
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|
Code |
Name |
Credits |
Pre-Requisites |
|
GTX718 |
Hydrogeological Modelling |
16 |
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GTX 713 Site Investigation Project (16 credits)
Fieldwork which includes mapping, soil and rock description, joint surveys, borehole testing, water sampling, interpretation of laboratory test results and compilation of site investigation report. Larger projects of at least two months of fieldwork and report writing which involves surface and underground studies, mapping, drill core logging, discontinuity surveys, rock mass classification, stability analyses, interpretation of laboratory tests or pollution studies including water and/or soil sampling, interpretation of laboratory tests, development of a rehabilitation plan or groundwater model and compilation of a report.
GTX 714: Engineering Geology of South Africa 714 (16 credits)
Overview of site investigation phases; site investigation techniques; soil profiling and rock core description. Literature study and compilation of reports on the stratigraphy of South African rock types and the engineering problems of rocks and soils within different stratigraphic units and climatic regions.
GTX 715: Environmental Geochemistry (16 credits)
Principles of low temperature geochemistry; geochemistry and origin of acid mine water; acid-mineral reactions; industrial effluents, remediation methods, waste disposal, environmental sampling and data analysis, geochemical modelling.
GTX 716: Environmental Management and Risk Assessment 716 (16 credits)
Principles of integrated environmental management; environmental impact assessment; environmental management systems (ISO 14000 series), water resource management; environmental legislation; site investigation guidelines; natural hazard risk assessment; seismicity; project management and professional business practice.
GTX 718: Hydrogeological Modelling (16 credits)
Finite-difference methods, numerical solution of the flow and transport equations, spatial and temporal discretization, stability criteria, development of conceptual models, introduction to PMWIN/Modflow.
GTX 719: Contaminant Transport (16 credits)
Theory of contaminant transport in porous and fractured aquifers, determination of transport parameters, boundary conditions, analytical solutions of 1-, 2- and 3-dimensional transport equations for porous aquifers, analystical solutions for fractured aquifers.
GTX 721: Construction Materials 721 (16 credits)
Requirements for and use of concrete aggregates, road and dam construction materials; site investigation and site development methods; quality control.
GTX 722: Rock Engineering 722 (16 credits)
Mapping, description (core logging and discontinuity surveys) and classification of rock masses; engineering properties of rock masses including deformability, shear strength of discontinuities, in situ strength and permeability of rock masses; effects, theoretical derivation and practical measurements of in situ stresses.
GTX 723: Engineering Applications 723 (16 credits)
The influence of geology on construction projects with specific reference to the requirements of dams, tunnels, slopes, waste disposal and urban development.
GTX 726: Rock and Soil Improvement 726 (16 credits)
Grouting materials and procedures; rock and soil support and stabilization; rock and soil compaction; geofabrics; water seepage and drainage methods.
GLY 704: Basin Analysis (Tectonics part – 8 credits)
Tectonic models for basin formation; fault systems; tectonics of intrusions, stress fields and influence of tectonic stresses on earth material.
GLY 706: Mining Methods (8 credits)
Controlling legislation and infrastructural requirements. Mining methods: open cast and underground. Metallurgical treatment, metallurgical plants and waste disposal. Pollution; acid drainage and acid rain.
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