University Of Pretoria Geology

B.Sc. Environmental and Engineering Geology (code 02133042)

 

MASTERS DEGREES (MSc)

All Masters programmes in the Department of Geology are research-only programmes.  The following Masters degrees are offered in the Department of Geology:

M.Sc. in Geology (code 02250141)

GLY 890 Dissertation: Geology 890 (180 credits)

M.Sc. in Engineering Geology (code 02250371)

IGL 890 Dissertation: Engineering Geology 890 (180 credits)

M.Sc. in Engineering and Environmental Geology (code 02250372)

IGL 890 Dissertation: Engineering Geology 890  (180 credits)

M.Sc. in Engineering and Environmental Geology (Hydrogeology) (code 02250373)

GTX 890 Dissertation: Hydrogeology 890 (180 credits)

180 credits translate to 1 800 notional hours.  For a 45-week academic year comprised of 40 hours per week, this implies that the minimum period of enrolment for a Masters degree is one year and completion is expected within two years, irrespective of whether studies are full-time or part-time.

The UP guidelines for postgraduate supervision states that the “… award of a research master’s degree requires that a student demonstrates that s/he has achieved mastery in a specific academic or professional field.  The master’s graduate will have demonstrated that s/he has acquired a body of advanced-level knowledge, has completed a piece of independent research, and has applied skills of critical analysis and evaluation to the results of the research.  Following a masters degree, the graduate should be able to integrate knowledge, handle complexity, formulate judgements and communicate their conclusions to an expert and non-expert audience, and possibly even continue into further studies.

DOCTORATE DEGREES (PhD)

All Doctorate programmes in the Department of Geology are research-only programmes.  The following Doctorate degrees are offered in the Department of Geology:

The following Doctoral degrees are offered in the Department of Geology:

Ph.D. in Geology (code 02260521)

GLY 990 Thesis: Geology 990 (360 credits)

Ph.D. in Engineering and Environmental Geology (code 02260542)

IGL 990 Thesis: Engineering Geology 990 (360 credits)

Ph.D. in Engineering and Environmental Geology (Hydrogeology) (code 02260522)

GTX 990 Thesis: Hydrogeology 990 (360 credits)

360 credits translate to 3 600 notional hours.  For a 45-week academic year comprised of 40 hours per week, this implies that the minimum period of enrolment for a Doctoral degree is two years and completion is expected within three years, irrespective of whether studies are full-time or part-time.

UP’s guidelines for postgraduate supervision defines a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree as “… a research-based qualification, awarded for an independent study conducted in the sciences or humanities”.  Additionally, awarding the degree requires “… the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, making a significant and original contribution at the forefront of the academic discipline or area of professional practice, manifest(ing) ability to conceptualise, interrogate and answer high level research questions, and understanding of relevant research techniques” and should merit peer review and publication.  The degree can only be awarded based on passing a thesis and an oral defence.

In exceptional circumstances, a doctoral degree can be conferred on a candidate who enjoys international recognition by virtue of outstanding and extensive research (doctoral degree by virtue of publications), or through upgrading of a master’s dissertation.