Geology is the scientific study of the dynamic system of the earth and includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere. The study of geology integrates the principles of physics as and chemistry, as well as mathematics and biology, in studying the history and processes of the earth. The ever-growing human population continuously exerts pressure on natural resources, such as water, energy, mineral deposits and building materials that are required to meet the basic needs of humankind.
Undergraduate studies, which cover diverse topics that are important to daily life and promote the general well-being of our society, include the study of minerals and rocks, mineral and energy resources (eg iron, gold, coal, oil and gas), surface water reservoirs (eg rivers, beaches, lakes and glaciers), groundwater, volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, global climate change and the evolution of life. Geologists investigate the earth’s history of 4.5 billion years to find new resources and to better understand the past, present and future development of the planet.
This is a full-time, three-year programme that consists of both practical and theoretical components and leads to different fields of specialisation, such as mineralogy, igneous petrology, metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, engineering geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, economic geology, structural geology, as well as geophysics and geostatistics. Studies are practical and require extensive work in field camps, in areas that are often difficult to access, and in mines, both underground and surface operations.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
02133043
Applications for this plan have closed.
Important information for all prospective students for 2022
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme at the University of Pretoria (UP) –
A transferring student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been dismissed at the previous institution due to poor academic performance, will not be considered for admission to UP.
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme –
A returning student will be considered for admission based on
Note: Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP. The Admissions Committee may consider such students if they were not dismissed more than twice. Only ONE transfer between UP faculties will be allowed, and a maximum of two (2) transfers within a faculty.
Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2022
University of Pretoria website: click here
Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
5 | 5 | 5 | 34 |
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Engineering and Environmental Geology), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Physical Sciences, which requires an additional year of study.
BSc – Extended Programme – Physical Sciences Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
Note:
*The BSc – Extended programmes are not available for students who meet all the requirements for the corresponding mainstream programme.
*Please note that only students who apply in their final NSC or equivalent qualification year will be considered for admission into any of the BSc – Extended programmes.
3 years, full-time.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is home to more than 6 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Faculty presents degrees in fields ranging from the proverbial A to Z – from actuaries to zoologists, and consists of 13 departments.
All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people. According to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings the University has achieved new world rankings in Physical Sciences, a discipline which features strongly in NAS and also maintains excellent positions on the ISI Web of Science (WOS) field rankings in Plant and Animal Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Environment and Ecology Sciences.
In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.
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