GOLLIS UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GENERAL GEOLOGY
CURRICULUM
Submitted to the
Registrar – Academic Affairs
Gollis University
HARGEISA
By
The Head of
Department of Geology
Gollis University
Table of Contents
1.2. Mission of the Department 5
1.3. Visions of the Department 5
2.4 Duration and Degree Pattern. 6
3.1. Course Sequences for Geology. 7
Executive Summary
The revision of the curriculum has been carried out for the Department of Geology at the Gollis University. The curriculum revision aims to give more emphasis to practical aspect of Geology education and to develop the capacity of students for innovation and creative works.
Based on the result of the professional profile, inputs from the various stake holders and data collected from relevant international university programs and recommendations from Department lecturers, BSc curriculum in Geology has been designed. The BSc program will be a full-time nine-semester program consisting of an assessment semester, three semesters of basic study, three semesters of specialization study, one final semester of BSc industrial internship and/or project study thesis.
In order to raise the practical problem solving and creative capacity of the students, in addition to the normal lecture-classes the teaching and learning process shall be supported intensively and extensively by laboratory, computer-simulation and project works. To maintain the standard and relevance of the education, a continuous internal and external evaluation system will be integrated in the program which finally leads to the international accreditation of the program.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1. Introduction
Somaliland has unexploited natural resources, including oil, gas, coal and one of the world’s largest gypsum deposits, in addition our 850km long coastline is rich in marine resources waiting to be exploited. The country has a very favorable Geological Settings; it could have Potential for having world class discoveries.
Due tothe absence of the field of geosciences andDepartment ofGeology inall Somalilanduniversities, Gollis University decided to fill the vacant academic position which is the field of geological sciences: geoscientists follow path ofexploration and discovery in quest of solutions to some of society most challenging problems.
It was on September 2012 when Gollis university, Department of Geology and water resources was established. The Department offers programs leading to B.Sc. degree in Geology in the regular program with duration of eight-semesters.
Geology, namely the study of the origin, evolution, composition and structure of the Earth as recorded in rocks and minerals, draws upon all basic sciences including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and also some of the Arts. It embraces a wide range of topics both theoretical and applied.
The syllabus is enriched with applied topics. Among other things, students are trained in geological mapping, mineral and petroleum exploration, water exploration, application of geology in civil engineering and environmental aspects. The Department also has plans to motivate the students to participate in community based extracurricular activities, and to help them contribute in societal problem solving.
The development of Geosciences will play an important role in the development of the country.There is a great employment opportunity for Geology graduates both in the public and private sectors.
In government, graduate geoscientists will utilize their skills in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Water resources and Ministry of Environment and rural development, and national disaster management agency NERAD.
In the private sector, geologists will contribute to the development of Mining Companies, the various operating mines and quarries in the country, as well as the establishment of cement processing companies. The demand is poised to increase as the mining industry is getting revived and petroleum exploration activities have just started.
A number of geologists are now doing their internship with the private sector companies dealing with water exploration and water sitting. They will also find employment opportunities in the civil engineering sector in site investigations as well as in firms dealing with environmental assessments and natural disasters.
1.2. Mission of the Department
To generate and impart knowledge in basic and applied geology to society through teaching, training, research and extension services for sustainable development. The Department will continue to support the geology-related disciplines by providing training and services in the relevant basic geology, to conduct and foster creative research by addressing the needs of industry, government and the scientific community.
1.3. Visions of the Department
- To be a leading institution for academic excellence and innovations in Somali territories and producing the best and most motivated students that will serve the nation and the world.
2. OBJECTIVES
2.1. General Objectives
- To produce graduates well qualified in exploration, sustainable exploitation and management of earth resources.
- To train graduates who can integrate with other disciplines in planning and management of natural resources.
- To train graduates who will get involved in exploration and exploitation of groundwater resources
- To produce graduates who will contribute to the overall geological investigation in the country, including petroleum, mineral and groundwater explorations.
2.2. Specific Objectives
- To prepare students for career opportunities in industry and public services
- To provide fundamental knowledge in math, sciences, and geology.
- To provide skills for water, minerals and petroleum exploration.
- To provide implicit understanding of the social and ethical responsibilities
- To enable graduates work as a team in addressing technical problems that may be encountered in industry in real life.
- To provide opportunity for workers in the field of geosciences to upgrade their knowledge through participation of on-going activities in the ministry of energy and mineral resources.
- To engage students in research that offers optimal solutions to water scarcity, landslide and investigating the best sites for different engineering constructions including dams and bridges.
2.3 Admission Requirements
A candidate must satisfy the following requirements
- Completed grade 12 of the secondary education cycle and obtained university-entry qualification
OR
- Diploma holders with appropriate background can join based on the criteria set by the Department.
2.4 Duration and Degree Pattern
This is a three year course full time study where a student must take all the courses stipulated in the curriculum.
3. THE CURRICULUM (CONCEPT AND IMPLEMENTATION)
3.1. Course Sequences for Geology
Semester-1
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | – | IST 111 | Islamic StudyI | 3 |
| 2 | – | ENG 112 | Freshman English I | 3 |
| 3 | – | MAT 113 | Calculus I | 3 |
| 4 | – | PHY 114 | Physics I | 3 |
| 5 | – | ICT 115 | Introduction to Computer | 3 |
| 6 | – | GEOL 116 | Physical Geology I | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-2
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | IST 111 | IST 121 | Islamic Study II | 3 |
| 2 | ENG 112 | ENG 122 | Freshman English II | 3 |
| 3 | MATH 113 | MAT 123 | Calculus II | 3 |
| 4 | GEOL 116 | GEOL 124 | Physical Geology II | 3 |
| 5 | CHEM 125 | Organic Chemistry | 3 | |
| 7 | PHY 114 | PHY 126 | Physics II | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-3
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 2 | GEOL 211 | Geological Mapping | 3 | |
| 1 | GEOL 212 | Mineralogy and Crystallography | 3 | |
| 3 | GEOL 213 | Introduction to Paleontology | 3 | |
| 4 | ENG 112 | ENG 214 | Writing for Academic Purpose | 3 |
| 5 | GEOL 215 | Historical Geology | 3 | |
| 6 | – | SOM 216 | Somali Culture | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-4
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | GEOL 221 | Geotectonic and Climate Change | 3 | |
| 2 | GEOL 222 | Geophysics I | 3 | |
| 3 | GEOL 223 | Structural Geology | 3 | |
| 4 | GEOL 212 | GEOL 224 | Petrology of Rocks | 3 |
| 5 | GEOL 225 | Geological Field Methods | 3 | |
| 6 | – | GEOL 226 | Geomorphology | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-5
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | GEOL 311 | Statistics and Probability | 3 | |
| 2 | GEOL 224 | GEOL 312 | Rock Forming Minerals | 3 |
| 3 | GEOL 313 | Stratigraphy and Sedimentation | 3 | |
| 4 | – | GEOL 314 | Introduction to Oceanography | 3 |
| 5 | GEOL 315 | Hydrogeology I | 3 | |
| 6 | GEOL 316 | Environmental Geology | 3 | |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-6
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | – | GEOL 321 | Water Well design Construction | 3 |
| 2 | – | GEOL 322 | Soil Mechanics | 3 |
| 3 | GEOL 222 | GEOL 323 | Geophysics II | 3 |
| 4 | GEOL 224 | GEOL 324 | Igneous Petrology | 3 |
| 5 | GEOL 224 | GEOL 325 | Metamorphic Petrology | 3 |
| 6 | ENG 214 | GEOL 326 | Research Methodology | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-7
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | GEOL 315 | GEOL 411 | Hydrogeology II | 3 |
| 2 | GEOL 313 | GEOL 412 | Sedimentary Petrology | 3 |
| 3 | GEOL 413 | Somaliland Geology I | 3 | |
| 4 | GEOL 414 | Engineering Geology | 3 | |
| 5 | BBA 415 | Project management | 3 | |
| 6 | – | GEOL 416 | Economic Geology | 3 |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-8
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | – | GEOL 421 | Petroleum & Coal Geology | 3 |
| 2 | – | GEOL 422 | Remote Sensing and GIS | 3 |
| 3 | GEOL 413 | GEOL 423 | Somaliland Geology II | 3 |
| 4 | GEOL 424 | Mining Geology | 3 | |
| 5 | GEOL 425 | Integrated Water Resources Management | 3 | |
| 6 | GEOL 426 | Natural Hazards and Disaster Management | 3 | |
| Total Credit: | 18 |
Semester-9
| S# | Pre-Req | Code | Course Title | Credit Hrs |
| 1 | – | GEOL 431 | Geochemistry | 3 |
| 2 | – | GEOL 432 | Surveying and Topographic mapping | 3 |
| 3 | – | GEOL 433 | Water Supply and sewage | 3 |
| 4 | GEOL 434 | Graduation Thesis | 3 | |
| Total Credit: | 12 |
156 Credit hours are required for the BS in Geology degree