Click on any of the Levels below to view the course outline
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | Semester | Course Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL101 | Physical Geology | 2 | First Semester | Origin of the universe. Concept of Palaeomagnetism and continental drifts. Processes of weathering, soil formation, erosion, transportation and deposition of materials by mass movement, water, air and ice. Landforms and their formation related to geological parameters. General features of continental and oceanic terrains. The geological (rock and hydrological cycles and the role of “time” in geological processes. The earth’s interior and layering. |
| GENS101 | Nationalism | 1 | First Semester | General course from Department of Political Science |
| GENS103 | English and Communication Skills | 2 | First Semester | General course from Department of English |
| CHEM101 | Introductory General Chemistry | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Chemistry |
| CHEM121 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Chemistry |
| CHEM161 | Introduction to Practical Chemistry I | 1 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Chemistry |
| PHYS131 | Heat and Properties of Matter | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Physics |
| PHYS161 | General Physics Practical I | 1 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Physics |
| BIOL111 | Plant Biology | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Biology |
| BIOL113 | Animal Biology | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Biology |
| MATH103 | Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Mathematics |
| GEOL102 | Introduction to Mineralogy & Petrology | 2 | Second Semester | Definition of minerals and rocks. Introduction to crystals and crystal systems. Classification of minerals based on chemical composition; Native Elements, Sulphides, Oxides, Carbonates, Sulphates, Phosphates and Silicates. Physical Properties of minerals and their relationship to composition and internal structure. Physical properties of crystals dependent on heat, electricity, magnetism and radioactivity. Classification of rocks based on origin. composition and textures of the major igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types. Systematic description and identification of common rocks and minerals. |
| GEOL106 | Introduction to Paleontology and Stratigraphy | 2 | Second Semester | The meaning of fossils; fossilization. General taxonomical classification of fossil groups. Relative and absolute age determinations; stratigraphy and stratigraphic column. Origin and brief history of life on earth and earliest records of life. Protozoans and Metazoans: their characteristics and taxonomy. Index fossils and fossil records; their application to stratigraphy, paleoecology and paleogeography. |
| GENS102 | Environmental Health | 1 | Second Semester | General course from Department of Water Resourcesand Environmental Engineering |
| CHEM112 | Introduction to Physical Chemistry | 2 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of Chemistry |
| PHYS122 | Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics | 2 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of Physics |
| MATH102 | Algebra | 2 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of Mathematics |
| STAT102 | Introductory Statistics | 2 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of Statistics |
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| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | Semester | Course Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL201 | Systematic Palaeontology | 2 | First Semester | Systematics, principles and taxonomic determination. Morphology, evolution, classification, identification and palaeoecological distribution of major animal phyla; Protozoa, Porifera, Coelenterata, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Echinodermata and Graptolithina, Vertebrates and Plant fossils; trace fossils. |
| GEOL203 | Crystallography | 2 | First Semester | Definition of crystal; crystallization. Internal structure of crystals. Relationship between internal order and morphology. Crystallographic axes, crystal systems, geometric operations, symmetry elements, crystal forms, crystal classes. Interfacial angles, parameters, axial ratios and Miller indices. Bravais Law, Steno’s Law and Law of Rational Indices. Zones and Zone axes. Twinning; origin, Laws and importance. Spherical and stereographic projection. Constituents of crystals; isomorphism, polymorphism and psuedomorphism. Graphic representation of composition Variations. Practical identification of crystallographic axes, symmetry elements, forms, zones and zone axes, of common basic crystal systems/classes. Measurement of interfacial angles. Determination of axial ratio and Miller indices. Stereographic projection plotting. |
| GEOL205 | Field Geology I | 2 | First Semester | Field study of weathering, soil Formation, Erosion and Sedimentation Processes. Examination in the field of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including the general features of the Zaria batholith; sediments, associated structural features and land forms. The evolution of inselberg landscape of Zaria. Preparation of field notes and reports on areas visited. Use of topographic maps in the field. Principles of Geological mapping at large and small scales. Preparation of simple geological maps. |
| GENS201 | Moral Philosophy | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Philosophy |
| CHEM221 | General Inorganic Chemistry | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Chemistry |
| STAT261 | Elements of Statistics | 3 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Statistics |
| PHYS111 | Mechanics | 2 | First Semester | Service course from Department of Physics |
| GEOL202 | Elementary Structural Geology | 2 | Second Semester | The attitude of beds. Introduction to rock deformation, Horizontal, folded and faulted strata, Joints. The effect of topography on outcrop patterns. Unconfirmities and igneous intrusions. Foliations and lineations. Graphical and trigonometric determinations of attitudes of planes and lines. Interpretation of geological maps and sections; structures and history. Thickness and depth determinations. |
| GEOL204 | Optical Mineralogy | 2 | Second Semester | The Polarizing microscope: parts and functions. Routine techniques: magnification, centering, crossing the nicols, vibration direction of the polarizer. Method of preparation of thin section for microscopic examination. The path of light for orthoscopic vision in the polarizing microscope. Optical properties in plane polarized light. Optical properties in crossed polarized light. Conoscopic vision. Optical effects in convergent light. Introduction to reflected-light microscopy. |
| GEOL206 | Stratigraphic Paleontology | 2 | Second Semester | Earliest appearance and extinctions of various groups of organisms (algae, protozoans, metazoans, plants) in Precambrian and post Cambrian periods. The completeness or otherwise of the fossil records and implications for rates of evolution and evolutionary processes. The main Index fossils throughout earth history and their use in stratigraphical correlation (including Precambrian stromatolites). Methods of palaeoecological analysis and palaeobiological models. Palaeogeographical distributions of the main fossils groups. |
| GEOL212 | Elementary Surveying for Geologist | 2 | Second Semester | Map reading: National map sheet system. Scale, topographical cross-section, reading geographical coordinates. Surveying a small area on scale 1:500 or 1:1000 using metric tape, ranging poles, and magnetic compass (offset, radiation, triangulation, magnetic compass closed polygon). Use of level and theodolite in surveying a small area on scale 1:500 or 1:1000. Use of satellite navigator (GPS). |
| GEOL214 | Petrology | 2 | Second Semester | Origin, composition, general classification and mode of occurrence of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Systematic description and identification of major rock types. |
| GEOL218 | Introduction to Geology of Nigeria | 2 | Second Semester | Broad outlines of the bedrock geology of Nigeria. Distribution of the crystalline basement and sedimentary basins. Geological environmental hazards, desertifications, superficial deposits, laterization and soil formation. Aspects of hydrogeology of Nigeria. Groundwater pollution. |
| GENS202 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 2 | Second Semester | General course from Department of Business Administration |
| CHEM212 | General Physical Chemistry | 2 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of of Chemistry |
| COSC202 | Introduction to Computer and Fortran Programming | 3 | Second Semester | Service course from Department of Computer Science |
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| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | Semester | Course Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL301 | Structural Geology II | 2 | First Semester | Stress and strain. Element of rocks mechanics. Folds; origin and classification. Criteria for brittle failure and fracture development. Mohr’s diagram. Faults; origin and classification. Joint: origin and classification. Joints, Shear zones; origin and importance. Foliations and lineations. Gravity tectonics; Relationship of microscopic structures to regional structures. Measurement and determination of finite strain ellipse in deformed objects. Rose diagrams. Stereographic projection. Interpretation of geological structures from geological maps. |
| GEOL303 | Systematic Mineralogy | 2 | First Semester | General classification of minerals. Systematic classification of silicate minerals based on structure and chemistry. Detailed description of atomic structure, chemistry, classification and nomenclature, physical and optical properties. Occurrence of common rock-forming and accessory minerals in crystalline rocks: Isolated tetrahedral's olivine, garnet, zircon; Aluminosilicate linkages's topaz, andalusite, etc. Sorosilicates's melilite series, epidote; Cyclosilicates's Beryl, cordierite, tourmaline; Inosilicates's pyroxenes; amphiboles; phyllosilicate's micas, chlorites; Tectosilicates's silica minerals, feldspars, feldsparthoids. Opaque minerals. Miscellaneous minerals's carbonates, zeolites, apatite, sphene, fluorite. |
| GEOL305 | Sedimentology | 2 | First Semester | Sources, transport, deposition and diagenesis of sediments. The concept of flow regime: Reynolds and froude numbers. Sedimentary structures and palaeocurrent analysis. Sedimentary environments; methods of environmental diagnosis. Sedimentary facies and facies models; Walthers Law. Sieve analysis; statistical study of grain size; heavy mineral studies. |
| GEOL307 | Geochemistry | 2 | First Semester | Chemical composition of the earth. Geochemical character of the elements. Distribution of the elements in the earth’s crust. The Geochemical cycle. Geochemistry of magmatic and postmagmatic mineral depositional processes. Geochemistry of the weathering zone and associated processes of mineral deposit formation. |
| GEOL309 | Igneous Petrology | 2 | First Semester | Magma: Types, composition, general physical and chemical properties. Extrusive and intrusive igneous processes and products. Magma evolution and trends. Volcanic and plutonic igneous structures. Classification of igneous rocks (IUGS System). Association of igneous rocks in space and time. Basalts; mineralogy, petrology and origin with Nigerian examples. Classification of alkali olivine basalts and tholeiites. Layered basic intrusions and associated rocks. Ultramafic rock associations. Granites; mineralogy, petrology and origin. Older and Younger Granites of Nigeria. Petrography of the major rock groups; granites and associated rocks, gabbro, peridotites, pyroxenites, basalts. And undersaturated rocks. |
| GEOL311 | Metamorphic Petrology | 2 | First Semester | Factors of metamorphism, Geological classification of metamorphism. Most important minerals of metamorphic rocks. General nomenclature of metamorphic rocks. Metamorphic textures. Impotant metamorphic reactions. Grubemann’s metamorphic depth zones. Mineral zones of contact aureoles in calcareous, basic and pelitic rocks. Mineral zones and isogrades in regional metamorphism. Concepts of basic types of metamorphism and metamorphic facies. Summary of progressive mineral changes in metapelites, metabasites and metamorphic calc-silicate rocks. Igneous rock associations related to regional metamorphism with examples from Nigerian Basement Complex. Nomenclature and origin of migmatites and charnockites. |
| GEOL313 | Geology of Africa | 2 | First Semester | Tectonic framework of Africa. Structure and distribution of the African cratonic areas, mobile belts and sedimentary basins. The Kalahari, Congo, and the West Africa. Craton and their radiometric ages. The Iullemmeden, Taoudeni, Chad, Volta and the Karoo basins. Mobile belts fringing the cratons. Rift Valley of East Africa and the Benue Trough. The distribution of important mineral resources of the continent and its coastal areas: gold, uranium, chromite, diamond, tin, phosphates, oil and natural gas, manganese, copper, iron, platinum, bauxite, coal, etc. |
| GEOL315 | Geophysics I | 2 | First Semester | Physical properties of rocks. Concepts of electrical potential, current density and conductivity of rocks, potential distributions in a homogeneous earth and apparent resistivity. Principles, equipment, data acquisition, processing, interpretation and application of electrical (SP, resistivity, IP and EMO, gravity, magnetic, seismic (refraction and reflection) and nuclear methods of geophysical surveying. |
| GEOL333 | Field Geology II | 4 | First Semester | Geological base map preparation; sampling and sampling methods in designated basement and sedimentary terrains; examination of geological structures in both basement and sedimentary terrains, designation of type sections (in sedimentary terrains). Preparation of geological maps, compilation and presentation of field notes and preparation of reports. Field Geology II is done under the close supervision of an academic member of staff. |
| GENS301 | Business Creation and Growth | 2 | First Semester | General course from Department of Business Administration |
| GEOL300 | SIWES | 6 | Second Semester | The SIWES is skills training programme which forms part of the approved minimum academic standards of the NUC for all Nigerian Universities. It is taken by bona-fide 300-Level students of Geology for six month in a standard Geology based industry . In addition, a soft bound report is to be submitted to the Department at the end of the programme in line with the prescribed guidelines. This is to be assessed by the supervisor and the grade is to be credited into the student’s record. |
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| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Units | Semester | Course Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOL400 | Research Project | 6 | --- | The final year research project runs through both first and second semester. It normally consists of three weeks of field work. In addition, appropriate laboratory studies will be undertaken on samples and data collected. These include, map preparation, thin section preparation and petrographic studies, geochemical sample preparation and analysis, sieve analysis etc. An appropriate report will be prepared and should also demonstrate that a search of the relevant literature has been undertaken. This research project is done under the close supervision of a member of academic staff. |
| GEOL401 | Advanced Igneous Petrology | 3 | First Semester | Introduction to the concepts of experimental petrology. Phase diagrams. Simple binary and ternary system of petrological significance. Petrographic provinces. Chemical variation in associated igneous rocks. Introduction to the construction and use of chemical variation diagrams. Minor elements and isotopes in igneous rocks. Calc-alkaline rocks association; plutonic and volcanic rocks series, mineralogical and chemical compositions and variations. Origin of andesites. Anorthosite complexes: mineralogical and chemical variations. Chemical affinities, modes of occurrence and curstal environmental and petrogenesis. Alkali rock types (including carbonatites); mineralogy, magmatic affinities. Structure of Carbonatite complexes, petrogenesis. Pyroclastic rocks and rhyolites, pyroclastic fall and ashflow deposits. |
| GEOL403 | Advanced Metamorphic Petrology | 3 | First Semester | Metamorphic reactions. Behaviour of fluids in metamorphism. Equilibrium curves. Effect of P-T relations of metamorphic reactions on mineral assemblages. Element distribution in co-existing minerals. Compositional changes in solid-solution minerals during metamorphism. Significance of isogrades. Diagramatic representation of mineral paragenesis. Phase rule and paragenetic diagrams. Paired metamorphic belts. Distribution of metamorphic facies. |
| GEOL405 | Hydrogeology | 3 | First Semester | The hydrological cycle. Occurrence and movement of groundwater. Aquifers: classification and hydraulic properties; introduction to laboratory and field determination of aquifer hydraulic properties; introduction to pump test analysis. Well location and design. Hydrogeological maps; Water quality; Physical, chemical and biological. Stiff and Piper diagrams. Pollution. Introduction to groundwater prospecting. Regional hydrogeology of Nigeria. Concepts of water Resources and Water Resources Management. |
| GEOL407 | Photogeology | 2 | First Semester | Principles of photogeological-interpretation and photogrametry. Interpretation of aerial photographs of various geological terrains using stereoscopic viewing. Introduction to remote sensing and GIS. |
| GEOL409 | Engineering Geology | 2 | First Semester | Geology in geotechnical engineering. Elements of rock and soil mechanics. Geological construction materials. Concepts of slope stability and slope failure modes. Site investigation and geological mapping. Engineering and geological hazards. Selected case histories of application of engineering geology in: Civil engineering applications. Mining applications. Hydrocarbon production applications. |
| GEOL411 | Seminar | 1 | First Semester | Each student will be required to prepare and present a seminar paper under the supervision of an appointed academic staff. This will be assessed by all the academic staff during its presentation in both First and Second Semesters. |
| GEOL415 | Micropaleontology & Data Analysis | 2 | First Semester | Introduction to micropalaeontology; the size range of microfossils and nannofossils; the utility and variety of the organisms and organic fragments studied. Morphology. Taxonomy, phylogeny, antogeny of Foraminifera, Radiolaria and Ostracoda. Origin, morphology and taxonomy of conodonts, coccoliths and pollen. Use of microfossils in correlation and environmental determination of Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits. Methods of preparation of different kinds of microfossils. Palaeontological data. Determination, drawing and description of Foraminifera, Radiolaria and Ostracoda. |
| GEOL417 | Petroleum Geology | 2 | First Semester | Origin, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons; characterization of source and reservoir rocks. Surface and subsurface occurrences of hydrocarbons. Physical and Chemical nature of reservoir fluids. Preservation, distribution, maturation and destruction of organic matter; organic matter types. Hydrocarbon trap types and abnormal formation pressures. Evaluation and prospects of petroleum potential of a virgin sedimentary basin; reserve estimation and construction of subsurface maps and sections. Petroliferous horizons with case histories from Nigeria. |
| GEOL402 | Geophysics II | 2 | Second Semester | Well logging measurement; fundamental definitions (porosity, permeability, saturation). Fundamentals of log interpretations; resistivity and conductivity, formation factor, water and hydrocarbon saturation. The principles of measurements, interpretations and applications of the Spontaneous Potential Log, Resistivity Log, Porosity Log and Dip Meter Log. Applications of well-logging to prospecting for raw material deposits. Practicals at the work station laboratory. Seismic interpretation is a key component in hydrocarbon exploration and in creating the framework for the reservoir models used in field development planning. The student will acquire the ability to perform structural and stratigraphic interpretation of 2-D and 3-D seismic data using computer workstations. Seismic attributes will be introduced and used to aid structural and stratigraphic interpretation and distribution of reservoir properties. The uses of seismic inversion, AVO, and time-lapse monitoring will also be introduced. |
| GEOL404 | Economic Geology | 3 | Second Semester | The economic parameters of mineral and material deposits that affect their development potential in relationship to geological factors. Differences between resources and reserves. Weathering, sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous processes that lead to the formation of economic deposits with emphasis on factors associated with the concentration of minerals including structural and other controls; specific deposits illustrating principal types, with emphasis on Nigerian example where possible. Methods and techniques used in metallogenetic studies from the broad regional to the detailed microscopic scale including geotectonics, structural, lithological, stratigraphical, zoning, wall rock alteration, paragenesis, etc. Principles of fluid inclusions and stable isotope studies. Geology applied to mineral exploration. Hand specimen identification; drill-hole section and plan interpretation; methods of core logging. |
| GEOL406 | Geotectonics | 2 | Second Semester | Classical geosyclinal orogenic cycle. Seismic, gravity, magnetic, heat flow, geological and palaeontological evidence for the modern theory of plate tectonics. Structure and physiography of ocean basins. Specific modern examples of plate boundary and other phenomena. Consideration of the role of plate tectonics in evolution of earth's crust since earliest Archaean. Plate boundaries and their associated basins and mineralization. |
| GEOL412 | Applied Geochemistry | 2 | Second Semester | Sampling, sample preparation methods. Principles underlying major geochemical analytical techniques: wet chemical methods, Atomic Absorption Spetrophotometry (AAS), X-ray fluorocene (X-RF), Colorimetry, etc. Geochemical prospecting methods. Interpretation of geochemical data and maps. |
| GEOL414 | Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria | 2 | Second Semester | General descriptions of the geology of Nigeria. Significant and potentials mineral resources of Nigeria: energy (Hydrocarbons, coal, uranium); metallics (tin, tantalum-niobium, gold, lead-zinc, chromium); non-metallics (limestone-dolomite-marble, clays, sand-aggregate, feldspar, laterite, barites, evaporates, gemstones). |
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