Overview
In response and pursuant to public and private sectors needs for trained personnel with specialization in particular fields of Geology, the Department of Geology decided to restructured its M.Sc. Programme and group the course units into suitable specializations.
The objectives of this programme therefore are to:
- Provide specialized training to make students adequately competent in their fields of specialization.
- Train geological manpower in the fields that are commensurate with the country’s needs to cope with the contemporary challenges.
Areas of Specialization under this programme include:-
- Mineralogy and Petrology
- Economic Geology and Mineral Resources
- Environmental Geology and Management
- Engineering Geology
- Hydrogeology and Groundwater Resource Management
- Petroleum Geology
- Marine Geology and Resources
- Applied Geochemistry
- Applied Geophysics
- Seismology
- Palynology and Micropalaentology
- Mineral Exploration
Structure
COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
The programme lasts for a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of twelve semesters and is offered by coursework, examination and research project. Coursework consists of lectures, tutorials practicals and seminars.
There are twelve areas of specialization from which a candidate selects one. Candidates are required to take twelve course units. Two of these are core course units taken by candidates from all areas of specialization. Six are compulsory units in a chosen area of specialization and four are taken from among the elective courses in the same area of specialization.
In the first three semesters, candidates embark on coursework for which they are examined at the end of each semester.
Candidates submit their research project proposals for approval by the Department at the end of the third semester.
In the fourth semester, candidates embark on their research projects and submit dissertations which are examined at the end of that semester.
Coursework is weighted twelve units and research project four course units making a total sixteen course units for the entire programme.
Each course unit is assigned forty-five contact hours.
COURSE OUTLINE
Core Course Units for all Areas Specialization
SGL 540 Computational Methods in Geology
SGL 541 Research Methodology
SGL 542 Research Project (Dissertation)
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
Candidates must fulfill the general University regulations governing Master of Science programmes and those of the Faculty of Science.
Holders of the following qualifications will be eligible;
- A B.Sc. degree in Geology with at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) from a recognized University or equivalent.
- A. B.Sc. degree in Geology with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) from a recognized University or equivalent with two years relevant post qualification experience. In addition, the applicant must have shown strong evidence of research through publications.
- Holders of a pass degree and a postgraduate Diploma from the University of Nairobi or other Institutions recognized by Senate.
- Holders of a pass degree from the University of Nairobi or other Institutions recognized by Senate with at least five years relevant post qualification experience.
Candidates who wish to specialize in Applied Geophysics of Seismology, besides being B.Sc. Graduates in Geology, should have studied Physics and Mathematics to at least second year level of the University of Nairobi B.Sc. programme or equivalent.
TRANSFER OF CREDITS
Through credit transfer, a candidate may be exempted from not more than one third of the total number of course units taken. Transfer of credit(s) for course units to be transferred must meet the following requirements:
A request for exemption must be made in writing to the Dean, Faculty of Science, soon after admission. Then the candidate must provide supporting documents from the relevant institutions including syllabuses of the courses done. These documents must be officially endorsed by his/her previous institution.
The candidate must pay appropriate exemption fees.
Careers
Career/Employment Opportunities
The employers of geologists includes:-
GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES:-
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- Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
- Ministry of Energy.
- Ministry of Water Development.
- Ministry of Agriculture.
- Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
- Ministry of Lands and Settlement
PRIVATE FIRMS
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- Groundwater exploration firms.
- Oil Exploration firms.
- Engineering firms.
- Mining companies
Exam Regulations
EXAMINATIONS
Written Examinations
1. In the first three semesters, course units shall be examined by continuous assessment tests and semester examinations. The semester examinations shall be of two hours’ duration taken at the end of the semester for which the unit is taught. Continuous assessment tests shall comprise 30% of the total marks and the end of semester examinations shall comprise 70%.
2. The pass mark for the examination shall be 50%. Candidates must pass all the units, if necessary by resitting for examinations.
3. In resit examinations, a score of less than 50% shall be regarded as agreed marks, but for scores of 50% and above, the agreed marks shall be recorded as 50%.
4. A candidate may be allowed to resit for examinations for each unit failed.
5. A candidate shall be discontinued from the programme if he/she fails (i) in resit examinations a maximum of two times (ii) to follow the prescribed course.
Research Project
a. A candidate shall submit a research project dissertation for examination at the end of the fourth semester.
b. The pass mark shall be 50%.
c. A candidate who fails in the dissertation shall be allowed to resubmit it up to two times.
d. The score for a resubmitted dissertation which satisfies the examiners shall be simply 50%.
e. A candidate whose dissertation does not satisfy the examiners in a second resubmission shall be discontinued.
Final Award
On successful completion of the programme, a candidate shall be recommended for award of Master of Science degree in Geology, majoring in one of the areas of specialization: