Detailed Course Structure
COURSE OUTLINE FOR
BSc. DEGREE PROGRAMME IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
YEAR ONE SEMESTER ONE
GL 151 Applied Electricity (2, 2, 3)
Circuit laws. Circuit theorems. Electrostatics. Electromagnetics. Magnetic circuits. Inductance. Alternating voltage and current. Signal waveforms. Introduction to transformers, DC Machines, Induction Machines and Synchronous Machines.
GL 153 Linear Algebra and Trigonometry (2, 2, 3)
Complex numbers: De Moivre’s theorem and its application to: (i) summation of series, (ii) expansion of Sinn0 and Cosn0 in double angles, (iii) expansion of Sinn0 and Cosn0 in terms of Cos0 and Sin0. Vector algebra and its applications. Introduction to matrix algebra. Spherical trigonometry.
GL 155 Engineering Drawing I (2, 2, 3)
Lettering with inclined and vertical strokes. Word spacing and composition. Construction of lines, angles. Regular polygons and general loci. First and third angle orthogonal projections. Dimensioning, limits, fits and tolerance.
GL 157 Communication Skills I (2 ,1, 2)
Introduction to communication: methods and systems of communication. Pre-writing skills: developing listening skills, note-taking and note-making, developing reading skills. Developing reading skills (1): Sentence level (the sentence as an ordered string of words, the simple sentence, basic sentence patterns, common grammatical errors.) Coordination and parallelism. Ambiguity. Conventions of usage.
GL 159 Introduction to Computing (1, 3, 2)
Introduction to PCs. Windows operating system. Internet usage. Word Processing using MS Word. Spreadsheet using MS Excel. Programming using Visual Basic Applications (VBA).
GL 165 Elements of Mining (2, 1, 2)
Basic introduction to underground and surface mining terminologies. Description of various operations in underground and surface mining: drilling, blasting, mucking, supporting, stoping, ventilation, benching, stripping, reclamation, including technology and equipment. Impact of mining on the environment.
GL 167 Basic Mechanics (2, 1, 2)
Introductory concepts of engineering mechanics involving basic principles in statics and dynamics with simple applications. Simple machines and conservation laws. Trusses
GL 171 Geologic Processes and Geomorphology (2, 1, 2)
The Earth and the Solar System. Structure and composition of the Earth. Earthquakes, volcanic landforms, continental drift and plate tectonics. Weathering and mass wasting, fluvial, aeolian, glacial, shoreline processes and evolution of their landforms; groundwater regimes. Isostassy. Topographic maps and stereopairs in identification.
GL 150 Calculus (2, 2, 3)
Differentiation of algebraic and circular functions. Applications to maxima and minima. Partial differentiation. Integration including integration by parts. Ordinary differential equations. Laplace transforms. Beta and Gamma functions.
GL 152 Strength of Materials (2, 1, 2)
Mechanical Properties of Materials, Simple Stresses, Temperature stresses, Shear Stresses, Torsional Shear Stresses, Beams; Shear Force and Bending Moments, Bending Stress in Beams Deflection Beams, Complex Stresses, Two dimensional Stress, Mohr’s stress circle.
GL 154 Physical and Analytical Chemistry (2, 1, 2)
Bonding and periodicity, chemical thermodynamics and kinematics. Solutions, electrochemistry, introduction to metal extraction processes, steps in chemical analysis. Gravimetric and volumetric analysis. Spectrophotometric methods of analysis. Chromatography, Electroanalytical procedures.
GL 156 Engineering Drawing II (1, 4, 3)
Using CAD Software to do the following: Sectional views and standard conventions of sectional views. Curves of intersections of various planes and solids. Development of various solids like cylinders and spheres. Assemble drawings from both exploded views and working drawing views.
GL 158 Communication Skills II (2, 1, 2)
Developing writing skills (II): Paragraph level (the controlling idea, the topic sentence, supporting sentences and developing the paragraph, transitional devices.) Developing writing skills (III): The whole essay (forms of discourse, inductive and deductive reasoning.) Developing writing skills (IV): Style (registers, diction, spelling and punctuation, editing).
GL 172 Crystallography & Mineralogy (2, 1, 2)
Unit cells, crystal structure and systems. The stereonet. Structural classification of minerals (silicates and non-silicates), and processes of mineral formation and association. Physical and chemical characteristics of minerals. Physical properties of minerals and megascopic mineral identification.
GL 174 Palaeontology and Stratigraphy (2, 2, 3)
Classification, importance and nature of fossilization. Invertebrate palaeontology; Stratigraphic Column. Stratigraphic Procedures. Stratigraphic Relationships. Principles of correlation.
Stratigraphic Maps. Stratigraphic Analysis. Practicals.
GL 251 Literature in English I (1, 1, 1)
Introduction to literary terms and devices. Specific texts: prose, drama, poetry. Vocabulary and language use. Literature as a reflection of contemporary way of life or society (the text as mirrors). Literature and morality (the text as examples). Literature as a form of entertainment. African Writers Series.
GL 255 Mathematical Analysis (2, 1, 2)
Rolle’s theorem, mean value theorems, Taylor’s theorem, convergence of series, power series, Taylor’s series and Maclaurin’s series. Indeterminate forms, differentiation, parametric differentiation with application to plane curve.
GL 259 Geology of Ghana (2, 1, 2)
Regional geological setting and crustal rocks of West Africa. Geologic time scale and the stratigraphic succession of the lithologies in Ghana. Economic and mineral deposits associated with the various rock units.
GL 269 Mineral Processing (2, 1, 2)
Communition, Classification, Separation and Concentration Methods.
GL 271 Optical Mineralogy (2, 2, 3)
The scope of optical mineralogy; mineral preparation for microscopic study. Summary of the properties of light. Minerals in plane parallel and in convergent light. The use of the polarising microscope for mineral identification. Laboratory work.
GL 273 Structural Geology & Map Work (2, 2, 3)
Mechanical principles of rocks. Rule of V’s. Structural geometry of beds and maps symbols. Mapping lithologies and geological structures. Maps and sections. Primary and secondary structures. Stereogrphic projection of altitude measurements. Practicals.
GL 275 Sedimentary Petrology (2, 2, 3)
Classification and textural identification of sedimentary rocks. Scope and application of sedimentology and stratigraphy. Sedimentary processes. Vectorial and scalar properties of sediments. Sedimentary Environments. Sedimentary tectonics. Practicals.
GL 277 Photogeology & Remote Sensing (1, 3, 2)
Photogrammetry. Identification and recognition of lithologic and structural features on aerial photos. Properties of images and records. Multispectral scanning, side-looking radar and thermography. Global positioning system. Identification of features, measurement of structural elements of stereopairs.
GL 252 Literature in English II (1, 1, 1)
Reading and appreciation. Literate terms. Specific texts: prose, drama, poetry. Vocabulary and language use. Literature as a reflection of contemporary way of life or society (the text as mirrors). Literature and morality (the text as examples). Literature as a form of entertainment. Shakespearean and modern classics.
GL 254 Soil Mechanics (2, 4, 3)
Scope of soil mechanics. Index and engineering properties of soil. Phase relationships. Soil improvement and applications. Shear strength of soils. Bearing capacity of soils. Lateral earth pressure. Consolidation and settlement. Site investigation.
GL 256 Land Surveying (2, 4, 3)
Classification of surveys including chain and compass surveys. Levelling. Theodolite and applications which include theodolite structure and adjustment, traversing, tacheometry and tacheometric surveying. Optical Distance Measurement (ODM). Electromagnetic Distance Measurement (EDM). Astronomy: Introduction and definition of terms, derivation of the celestial triangle.
GL 258 Extractive Metallurgy (2, 1, 2)
Pyrometallurgy; calcination, washing, smelting. Hydrometallurgy; leaching and solvent attraction. Electrometallurgy; electrowinning and electrorefining.
GL 264 Fluid Mechanics (2, 2, 3)
Properties of fluids: statics and kinematics of fluids. Euler’s equation, Bernoulli’s equation and applications. Dynamics of fluid flow. Turbulent and laminar flow. Flow in pipes. Friction and other losses. Open channel flow. Navier-Stokes Equation: Simple solutions. Dimensionless analysis.
GL 270 Fieldtrip & Technical Report Writing I (0, 4, 1)
Field trips to areas of interest. Students will be expected to present reports upon which they will be assessed for their credits.
GL 272 Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology (2, 2, 3)
Nature of magma and its crystallization. Textures and classification of igneous rocks. Identification of common igneous rocks in hand specimen and under petrological microscope. Metamorphism, classification, metamorphic facies, physical and optical identification of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Practicals.
GL 274 Environmental Geology (2, 1, 2)
Environmental hazards; natural and man made hazards and their mitigation. Waste disposal. Geology and regional planning. Urban planning. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
GL 351 Computer Applications (1, 3, 2)
Application of appropriate softwares available for interpretation of geologic data, e.g. SURPAC, SURFER, GEOEAS, ARCVIEW, MAPINFO, etc.
GL 353 Mine Surveying (1, 2, 2)
Field Astronomy: measurement to celestial bodies. Underground Surveying: correlation of surface to underground workings, stope surveying and measurement, connection of levels, borehole surveying.
GL 355 Ore Mineralogy & Microscopy (1, 3, 2)
Reflected light microscopy. Polished section preparation. The qualitative and quantitative methods for the identification/determination of optical, structural and morphological properties of ore minerals. Roles of ore mineralogy in ore beneficiation and ore dressing. Ore paragenetic associations in mineral evaluation.
GL 357 Rock Mechanics (1, 4, 2)
Scope of rock mechanics. Physical and mechanical properties of rocks. Rock mass structure. Stereographic projection in rock mechanics. Rock mass classification. Underground excavations in massive rock. Room and pillar design. Excavation support systems. Rock slope stability.
GL 361 Probability and Statistics (2, 1, 2)
Introduction to probability. Random variables and functions of random variables. Regression analysis and correlation. Methods of estimation. Confidence intervals. Test of hypothesis. Principles of Reliability.
GL371 Economic Geology (2, 2, 3)
Classification of ore deposits. Controls, localization and processes of formation of mineral deposits. Environments of formation. Ore deposit mineralization in space and time. Case histories with emphasis on lithology, structure and environment of deposition. Plate tectonics in ore deposit geology. Metallogeny, metallogenic provinces, Epochs.
GL 373 Field Geology (2, 6, 4)
Field mapping exercise covering some sectors of Tarkwa. Plotting of fieldwork, report writing and oral defense of work done.
GL 375 Physical Hydrogeology (2, 1, 2)
Hydrological cycle. Evapotranspiration, precipitation, runoff and streamflow, recharge estimation. Groundwater: occurrence, flow regimes, geology, exploration, and evaluation (pumping tests).
YEAR THREE SEMESTER TWO
GL 350 Mineral Resource Estimation (2, 1, 2)
Mineral resource classification. Classical estimators. Variography. Error estimation. Ordinary Kriging.
GL 352 Public Relations (2, 0, 2)
Meaning, nature and scope of Public Relations (PR) as exhibited by its definition and distinction from other forms of communication. Planning of PR programmes. The role PR plays in organisations and as to whether to set up a PR department or depend on the services of a PR consultant. Media and Press Relations. Case studies.
GL 356 Fieldtrip & Technical Report Writing II (0, 4, 1)
Fieldtrips to areas of interest. Students will be expected to present reports upon which they will be assessed for their credits.
GL 372 Foundation Engineering (2, 2, 3)
Soil compressibility and settlement; Bearing capacity of foundations; Principles of foundation design; Earth pressure and retaining walls; soil dynamics of earthquakes and machine vibration in foundation design; stability of soil slopes; foundation on rocks.
GL 374 Exploration Geochemistry (2, 2, 3)
Environments of geochemical dispersion. Dispersion patterns. Types and methods of geochemical surveys and exploration techniques. Geochemical response and analytical methods. Mobile metal ion technology in mineral exploration. Statistical treatment of geochemical data and anomally delineation. Practicals.
GL 376 Engineering Geology (2, 2, 3)
Engineering characteristics of soils and rock masses. Geomechanical implications of weathering and mass wasting. Site investigations, parameters for specific ground engineering work. Groundwater in geochemical investigation. Land Surface (Terrain) evaluation. Practicals.
GL 378 Exploration Geophysics (2, 2, 3)
Geophysics in exploration programmes. Physical properties of earth materials and geophysical methods. Treatment of the various survey methods, survey organization. Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data. Practicals.
YEAR FOUR SEMESTER ONE
GL 451 Economic Development and Planning (2, 0, 2)
Theories and concepts of Development; Foreign Aid, grants and investment. Techniques of Economic development planning; Third world and Economic Development planning (Case studies); planning periods in Ghana.
GL 453 Mineral Project Evaluation (2, 2, 3)
Financial and economic analysis of mineral projects. Interest rates. Time value of money. Evaluation criteria for mine project selection: Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Pay Back Period (PBP), Wealth Growth Rate (WGR) etc. Elements of cashflows: revenue, capital and operating cost, taxation and royalties, depreciation. Sensitivity and risk analyses. Cost of capital. Replacement and leverage analyses. Mine Feasibility Studies.
GL 455 Geographical Information System (1, 3, 2)
Application of appropriate computer programs for gridding, contouring in statistical analysis of geological data.
GL 457 Law of Contract and Tort (2, 0, 2)
Law and the legal system. Contract and condition for valid contracts. Contract and business organization. Abrogation of contracts.
GL 459 Operations Research (2, 2, 3)
Application of the following operations research techniques in solving relevant problems: Linear and integer programming. Assignment and transportation problems. Decision analysis. Project scheduling methods: CPM, PERT. Simulation techniques. Application of appropriate computer software.
GL 461 Principles of Economics (2, 0, 2)
Introduction to microeconomics. Demand and supply and price theory. Elasticities. Economies of scale. Optimal input combinations and cost functions. Perfect competition, monopoly, imperfect competition (monopolistic competition, oligopoly, cartel, etc). business organization and securities. Introduction to macroeconomics. Functions of government. Measurement of national output and income. Money and banking. Unemployment and inflation.
GL 463 Mining Geology (2, 1, 2)
Management of surveys. Guides for ore localization. Mineralization structures in mineral deposit assessment and evaluation. Mapping and sampling techniques. Target drilling and ore zone demarcation. Grade control. Trenching, pitting, sampling, drilling, core-logging, drill hole correlation. Maps and sections; Surface and under ground mapping methods.
GL 471 Groundwater Geochemistry (2, 1, 2)
Chemistry of groundwater, equilibrium and kinetic descriptions, handling hydrochemical data. Chemical Reactions: acid-base, precipitation and dissolution of minerals, sorption and ion exchange, oxidation-reduction, biodegradation, dissolution and exsolution of gases, and isotopic reactions. Groundwater quality assessment.
GL 450 Project Work (0, 12, 4)
Data obtained either during the previous industrial attachment or from elsewhere is processed and analysed/interpreted and presented as project work.
GL 452 Colloquium/Seminar (1, 4, 2)
Students are either given current topics of interest or are made to discuss and present an update of their project works either in class or at a forum.
GL 454 Business Entrepreneurship (2, 0, 2)
Forms of business organization; management of business enterprises; budget preparation process; management of working capital; investment in assets.
GL 458 Management (2, 0, 2)
The role and functions of management including planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling with emphasis on supervision and leadership, communication and motivational techniques, training and development, productivity improvement, time and conflict management within the ‘mining’ environment. Analyses of financial statements.
GL 472 Applied Geophysics (2, 2, 3)
The application of geophysics (i.e. seismic, electrical resistivity, gravity, magnetic, radiometric and electromagnetic surveys) to solving problems in the: (i) mineral and mining industry (ii) construction and engineering industry, (iii) groundwater exploration and (iv) oil exploration. Case studies.
GL 474 Applied Geotechnics (2, 2, 3)
Subsurface exploration. Performance of soils and rocks; measurements of groundwater levels and pressures; Control of groundwater in Engineering construction; foundation on swelling soil; Anchors; pile and pile groups in foundation design; Geosynthetics in soil improvement, flexible and rigid pavement design; design of earth and rockfill dams.
GL 476 Petroleum Geology (2, 1, 2)
Origin, nature and occurrence of petroleum. The petroleum province and prospecting. Generation, migration and accumulation. The reservoir, fluids, traps and conditions including pressure, temperature and mechanics.