Economic Geology

Overview

Over the past two decades, Africa has experienced a mineral and energy resources exploration boom, driven by demand for raw materials. In the modern era, with most mineral exploration for resources occurring in the Developing World, international exploration and mining companies recognize the strategic economic, social and political value of partnering with local communities to build capacity within the countries in which they operate. Apart from its infrastructural challenges, Africa poses particular challenges with regard to developing the necessary home-grown high-level skills required to:

• utilise the cutting-edge technologies that increasingly need to be employed to find new resources, and
• extract and better manage resources that are particularly geologically complex, in order to maximise their lifespans and their economic value.

At the heart of the skills challenge is the nature and quality of training of geoscience professionals on the Continent. In responding to the needs of the Continent for further training on aspects of economic geology, ore deposits and mining, the MSc in Economic Geology is made up of a combination of compulsory and optional modules by either part-time or full-time study.

The programme is seen as a key strategy for upskilling of the geological labour force to meet the increasingly complex demands for finding new mineral deposits and for successfully managing deposits with lower profit margins. This is an integral aspect of the mission of the Centre of Excellence (CIMERA) that is jointly hosted by the University of Johannesburg and Wits, to provide a hub in southern Africa for research excellence and training in Economic Geology.

The main objectives of this programme are to:

• Create an enhanced understanding of the nature and distribution of various ore deposit types in different parts of the world,
• promote knowledge transfer and build capacity among geology graduates by providing high quality postgraduate training to upgrade skills for industry and government personnel,
• provide confidence in understanding minerals in both the mining and exploration sector as a basis to sound decision-making,
• promote exploration and ore deposit development in a responsible and environmentally sustainable manner, and
• offer an alternative to an MSc by research to meet the high-level skills development of the next generation of geoscientists.

Curriculum

A Master of Science (MSc) in Economic Geology by Course Work and Research Report combines three compulsory units and the Research Report, with three optional credits from a choice of 20 other modules, some of which are offered in other Schools. The course can be completed either full time (one year) or part time (2 years). Owing to the significant number of part-time and international students, the timetable is finalised once all registered students have made their course selections.

Each course will last one week and include lectures, laboratory practicals and seminars. The course is limited to 20 students.

Full-time applicants should register for 3 core courses, 3 elective courses and Research Report (GEOL7048A).

Part-time students should register for the 3 compulsory courses and Research Report (GEOL7049A) Part 1 in year 1 and for the remaining 3 courses and Research Report Part 2 (GEOL7050A) in year 2.

Each taught course is worth 20 credits within the HEQSF framework. Candidates are required to complete 120 credits by course work and 120 credits via the research project (240 credits).

Formal examinations will be held approximately two to four weeks after the completion of a module. Essay assignments may be also part of each module, as are oral presentations to the group for each module. Final marks will comprise both class assignments (50%) and the exam mark (50%).

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to have an Honours degree in Geology or equivalent degree recognised by the Faculty of Science, or a BSc degree in Geology plus 4 years’ professional experience in mining or exploration.

Acceptance into certain courses may be restricted to applicants with relevant undergraduate course credits and/or work experience. Applicants may be required to complete prerequisite courses as stipulated by the Senate before being admitted. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance onto the course in early November.

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.