📖Program Curriculum
Geochemistry Honours is a 120-credit course (NQF level 8) in the School of Geosciences that involves a research project, classroom lectures, analytical laboratory-based practicals, and training in the handling of geochemical datasets. The main component of this programme is the research project (40 credits). The student will select a research topic focused on geochemistry at the beginning of the academic, under the supervision of a staff member within the school, give oral presentations on their research, and produce a written proposal and a final written report. There are 2 other compulsory courses in the Geochemistry programme. The student can then select other courses from the Geology Honours programme to make up the 120-credits. Courses in petrology, geochemistry and mineralisation processes are highly recommended to complement the Geochemistry Honours programme. The course in mineralisation processes also includes a field excursion to various mineral deposits in South Africa.
Compulsory courses
Research Project in Geology (GEOL4029A) – various supervisors (40 credits)
Solid Earth Geochemistry and Geoanalysis (GEOL40XXA) – Prof. Grant Bybee, Dr. Karen Smit, Prof. Robert Bolhar (10 credits)
Surficial Geochemistry (GEOL4022A) – Prof. Robert Bolhar (10 credits)
Elective courses
Structural Geology and Mineralisation Processes (GEOL4030A) – Dr. Ben Hayes, Dr. Linda Iaccheri & guest lecturers (20 credits)
Advanced Petrology & Geochemistry (GEOL4025A) – Prof. Rais Latypov & Dr. Kimberley Beaton (10 credits)
Hydrogeology (GEOL4014A) – Prof. Tamiru Abiye & Dr. Khuliso Masindi (10 credits)
Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing in Geology (GEOL4028A) – Dr. Khuliso Masindi & external lecturers (10 credits)
Geophysics for Geologists (GEOP4009A) – Prof. Susan Webb & Dr. Steph Enslin (10 credits)
Exploration, Mining, Economics, and Entrepreneurship (GEOL4027A) – Prof. Glen Nwaila (10 credits)
Earth Evolution and Global Tectonics (GEOL4026A) – Dr. Zubair Jinnah & Dr. Sharad Master (10 credits)