The Master of Science in Geology is designed for
students who wish to focus on excellence in research.
Degree Requirements
Total credit hours required for the Master of Science in Geology program is 30
credit hours. The distribution of
credit hours is as follows:
|
Geology Core Courses |
9 |
|
Geology Elective Courses |
9 |
|
Free Elective Courses |
6 |
|
Thesis |
6 |
|
Total Credit Hours |
30 |
The Free Elective courses can be taken from any academic department (including
Earth Sciences Department) provided the courses are 500-level or higher and
approved by the student’s academic advisor. Up to two graduate-level Geology elective
courses can be substituted with 400-level undergraduate Geology courses only
after advisor and department approvals.
No credit will be given for any 400-level courses taken outside the
department.
Students are allowed to pursue thesis research in any area of their interest.
However, considering the current industry and academia needs, the department
encourages students, in the Geology option, to specialize/concentrate in any of
the following research areas:
Sedimentology and Petroleum
Geology
Economic Geology and
Geochemistry
Hydrogeology,
Environmental and Engineering Geology
The following courses are required for all graduate students in the Geology
option:
|
Course Number |
Title |
Credit Hours |
|
GEOL 501 |
Geology of the |
3 |
|
GEOL 502 |
Advanced Structural
Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 581 |
Geophysical
Exploration |
3 |
|
GEOL 599 |
Seminar |
0 |
|
GEOL 610 |
Thesis |
6 |
Elective Courses
Geology elective
courses, their titles, and credit hours are listed in the following table:
|
GEOL 521 |
Advanced Petroleum
Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 522 |
Micropaleontology |
3 |
|
GEOL 531 |
Advanced Stratigraphy |
3 |
|
GEOL 532 |
Advanced Sedimentology |
3 |
|
GEOL 533 |
Carbonates and
Evaporites |
3 |
|
GEOL 534 |
Seismic and Sequence
Stratigraphy |
3 |
|
GEOL 535 |
Quaternary Geology of |
3 |
|
GEOL 541 |
Advanced Mineralogy |
3 |
|
GEOL 542 |
Advanced Petrology |
3 |
|
GEOL 543 |
|
3 |
|
GEOL 544 |
|
3 |
|
GEOL 545 |
Advanced Economic
Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 551 |
Advanced Geochemistry |
3 |
|
GEOL 552 |
Geochemical
Prospecting |
3 |
|
GEOL 561 |
Advanced Hydrogeology |
3 |
|
GEOL 562 |
Groundwater Modeling |
3 |
|
GEOL 563 |
Development of Ground
Water Resources |
3 |
|
GEOL 571 |
Advanced Engineering
Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 572 |
Geo-Environment |
3 |
|
GEOL 573 |
Terrain Analysis |
3 |
|
GEOL 582 |
GIS Applications in
Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 583 |
Photogeology and
Remote Sensing |
3 |
|
GEOL 584 |
Applied Geostatistics |
3 |
|
GEOL 585 |
Geological Laboratory
Techniques |
3 |
|
GEOL 590 |
Independent Studies |
3 |
|
GEOL 592 |
Special Topics |
3 |
Degree Plan
Students admitted in the
Master of Science in Geology program are required to prepare and submit a
degree plan in consultation with their academic advisors at the first semester
in the program. Students will be barred from registering for any additional
courses in the following semester unless the degree plan is approved.
Students admitted
conditionally into the program must satisfy the imposed conditions at the
earliest available opportunity.
The plan outlined below applies to the Master of Science in Geology program.
Course
Title
LT LB
CR
First Semester
GEOL 501 Geology of the
GEOL xxx Geology
Elective I
3 0
3
GEOL xxx Geology
Elective II
3
0 3
9
0
9
Second Semester
GEOL 502 Advanced
Structural Geology
3
0
3
GEOL xxx Geology
Elective III
3
0
3
XXX xxx Free
Elective I
3
0
3
GEOL 599 Seminar
1
0 0
10
0
9
Third Semester
GEOL 581
Geophyiscal Exploration
3
0
3
XXX xxx Free
Elective II
3
0 3
6
0
6
Fourth Semester
GEOL 610 Thesis
0
0 6
0
0
6
Total Credit Hours – 30
The Master of Geology program is designed for the professional geoscientists
who wish to focus on excellence in training in geosciences rather than
research.
Degree Requirements
Total credit hours required for the Master in Geology program is
42. The distribution of credit hours is as follows:
|
Geology Core Courses |
12 |
|
Geology Elective Courses |
15 |
|
Free Elective Courses |
12 |
|
Geology Master Report |
3 |
|
Total Credit Hours |
42 |
The Free Elective courses can be taken from any academic
department (including Earth Sciences Department) provided the courses are
500-level or higher and approved by the student’s academic advisor. Up to two graduate-level Geology elective
courses can be substituted with 400-level
undergraduate
Geology courses only after advisor and department approvals. No credit will be given for any 400-level
courses taken outside the department.
Students are allowed to pursue thesis research in any area of
their interest. However, considering the current industry and academia needs,
the department encourages students, in the Geology option, to
specialize/concentrate in any of the following research areas:
Sedimentology and Petroleum Geology
Economic Geology and Geochemistry
Hydrogeology, Environmental and Engineering
Geology
The following courses are required for all graduate students in
the Geology option:
|
Course
Number |
Title |
Credit
Hours |
||||
|
GEOL 501 |
Geology of
the |
3 |
|
||
|
GEOL 502 |
Advanced Structural
Geology |
3 |
|
||
|
GEOL 581 |
Geophysical
Exploration |
3 |
|
||
|
GEOL 585 |
Geological
Laboratory Techniques |
3 |
|
||
|
GEOL 599 |
Seminar |
0 |
|
||
|
GEOL 600 |
Geology
Master Report |
3 |
|
||
Elective
Courses
Geology elective courses, their titles, and credit hours are
listed in the following table:
|
GEOL 521 |
Advanced
Petroleum Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 522 |
Micropaleontology |
3 |
|
GEOL 531 |
Advanced
Stratigraphy |
3 |
|
GEOL 532 |
Advanced
Sedimentology |
3 |
|
GEOL 533 |
Carbonates
and Evaporites |
3 |
|
GEOL 534 |
Seismic
and Sequence Stratigraphy |
3 |
|
GEOL 535 |
Quaternary
Geology of |
3 |
|
GEOL 541 |
Advanced
Mineralogy |
3 |
|
GEOL 542 |
Advanced
Petrology |
3 |
|
GEOL 543 |
|
3 |
|
GEOL 544 |
|
3 |
|
GEOL 545 |
Advanced
Economic Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 551 |
Advanced
Geochemistry |
3 |
|
GEOL 552 |
Geochemical
Prospecting |
3 |
|
GEOL 561 |
Advanced
Hydrogeology |
3 |
|
GEOL 562 |
Groundwater
Modeling |
3 |
|
GEOL 563 |
Development
of Ground Water Resources |
3 |
|
GEOL 571 |
Advanced
Engineering Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 572 |
Geo-Environment |
3 |
|
GEOL 573 |
Terrain
Analysis |
3 |
|
GEOL 582 |
GIS
Applications in Geology |
3 |
|
GEOL 583 |
Photogeology
and Remote Sensing |
3 |
|
GEOL 584 |
Applied
Geostatistics |
3 |
|
GEOL 590 |
Independent
Studies |
3 |
|
GEOL 592 |
Special
Topics |
3 |
Degree Plan
Students admitted in the Master of Geology are required to prepare
and submit a degree plan in consultation with their academic advisors at the
first semester. Students will be barred from registering for any additional
courses in the following semester if the degree plan is not approved. Students admitted conditionally into a
program are expected to satisfy all university and departmental requirements at
the earliest available opportunity.
The plan outlined below applies for the Master of Geology Program.
Course Title LT LB CR
First
Semester
GEOL 501 Geology of the
GEOL xxx Geology Elective I 3 0 3
GEOL xxx Geology Elective II 3 0 3
XXX xxx Free Elective I 3 0 3
12 0
12
Second
Semester
GEOL 502 Advanced Structural Geology 3 0 3
GEOL xxx Geology Elective III 3 0 3
GEOL 599 Seminar 1 0 0
XXX xxx Free Elective II 3 0 3
10 0 9
Third
Semester
GEOL 581 Geophysical Exploration 3 0 3
GEOL xxx Geology Elective IV 3 0 3
XXX xxx Free Elective III 3 0 3
XXX xxx Free Elective IV 3 0 3
12 0
12
Fourth
Semester
GEOL 585 Geological Laboratory Techniques 2 3 3
GEOL xxx Geology Elective V 3 0 3
GEOL 600 Geology Master Report 0 0 3
5 3 9
Total Credit
Hours – 42
COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
GEOL 501 Geology of the
Topography, geomorphology and geologic
setting of the Middle East, major tectonic elements in the region, Pre-Cambrian
rocks (the Arabian-Nubian Shield); Non-Folded Phanerozoic
rocks, Mesozoic Cenozoic fold belts (e.g. the Oman Mountains, the Zagros Belt, the Northern Iraq Chain, the Toros Chain); origin of the minerals in the Middle East. At
least one field trip is required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 318 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 502 Advanced Structural Geology (3-0-3)
Principles and concepts of rock
mechanics applied to structural features, brittle and ductile deformations,
large-scale tectonics and regional tectonic provinces and associated
structures; geometrical analysis of megascopic
structures in terranes with multiple or complex
deformations; analysis of strain from deformed primary features. At least one
field trip is required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 305
or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 521 Advanced Petroleum Geology (3-0-3)
Origin, migration and accumulation of petroleum; Properties of
reservoir rocks; Biomarkers and geochemical correlations; Techniques of
subsurface geology – formation evaluation using well logs, different mapping
techniques; geological problems. of
production and secondary recovery are emphasized; case histories of major oil
fields are reviewed. At least one field trip is required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 415 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL
522 Micropaleontology (3-0-3)
Definition and historical
development of micropaleontology, techniques in micropaleontological
and microstratigraphical analysis; survey of the
major microfossil groups, their morphology, taxonomy, ecology, geologic
distribution, evolutionary trends and stratigraphic
use, with selected problems. from
Prerequisite: GEOL 214 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 531
Advanced Stratigraphy (3-0-3)
Review of
basic stratigraphic concepts; Sedimentary facies and facies relations-
Walther’s law; International codes and procedures on classification and
nomenclatures of stratigraphic units – lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy
and chronostratigraphy, methods of correlations;
Seismic stratigraphy; Sequence stratigraphy- sequences, system tracts, parasequrences; other stratigraphic
methods including magneto-stratigraphy, isotope stratigraphy and event
stratigraphy; Basin analysis and tectonics. At least one field trip is
required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 307 or consent
of the instructor.
GEOL 532
Advanced Sedimentology (3-0-3)
Review of
properties of sedimentary materials- clastic and
carbonates; Concept of flow regime and bed forms; Sedimentary processes and
depositional environments – continental, marginal marine and marine; Facies and facies
analysis--criteria for recognition of ancient sedimentary environment;
Interpretation and recognition of major depositional environments: fluvial, eolian, delta, beach and barrier bar, marine shelf-clastics and carbonates, deep marine turbidite,
pelagic; Burial diagenesis – clastics
and carbonates.
Prerequisite: GEOL 307 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 533 Carbonates and Evaporites (3-0-3)
Principles
of carbonate and evaporite sedimentology;
depositional sequences defined in modern environments and utilized to interpret
ancient rock records; depositional and diagenetic microfacies; recognition and description of hydrocarbon
reservoirs in carbonate rocks.
Prerequisite: GEOL 307 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 534 Seismic and Sequence Stratigraphy (3-0-3)
Seismic velocities, Wavelets,
Acoustic impedance, Reflection coefficient, Data acquisition & data
processing, 2-D and 3-D seismic methodology, Seismic response to geological
structures, convergent margins, Divergent margins, Salt tectonics, Sedimentary
processes, Depositional environments, Well log correlation, Seismic facies analysis, Global changes in sea level, System
tracts, Chrono- and litho-stratigraphy, Clastics and carbonate sequence stratigraphy, Case
histories.
Prerequisite: (GEOL 307 and GEOP 202) or consent of the
instructor
GEOL 535 Quaternary Geology of
Evaluation of sedimentological, hydrogeological,
geomorphological and climatic processes during the
Quaternary period in Saudi Arabia; characteristics, distribution, and origin of
Quaternary deposits, stratigraphy and chronology; formation of associated
landforms, landscapes, sea level fluctuations; comparison of the Quaternary
hydrogeology, geochronology and climate of the Arabian peninsula with that of
North Africa and Europe.
Prerequisite: GEOL 307 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 541 Advanced Mineralogy (
Chemical and
physical basis of mineralogy such as crystal chemistry, crystal structure,
geochemistry, etc. Studies
of some of the less common minerals.
Laboratory work will cover instrumental techniques using X-ray diffraction,
differential thermal analysis, heavy liquids, isodynamic
separator, etc.
Prerequisite: GEOL 216 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 542 Advanced Petrology (
Selected
topics in igneous and metamorphic petrology such as magmatic
differentiation, generation, metamorphic facies, in
conformity with concepts of global tectonics. Emphasis may be varied to suit the needs of
students. Laboratory studies will
examine suits of rocks from igneous and metamorphic terranes.
At least one field trip is required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 320 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 543 Ore Mineralogy (
Ore microscopic
techniques. Textures
and optical properties of ore minerals. Systematic mineralogy of ore minerals.
Study of fluid inclusions in ore minerals. Stable isotopes.
Mineral stabilities and paragenesis.
Introduction to mineral processing.
Prerequisite: GEOL 216 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL
544 Ore
Deposits (3-0-3)
Study
of the different metallic and non-metallic ore deposits, their characteristics,
ore geneses, and geological settings.
Prerequisite: GEOL 456 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 545 Advanced Economic
Geology (3-0-3)
Study
of the different exploration methods of the ore deposits, and the control of
structural, sedimentological, chemical and physical
factors on ore deposits formation. Methods of ore deposits
evaluation and the geostatistical assessments of the
ore deposits. Preparation
of an exploration project and steps of its implementation. At least one field trip to an operational
mine is required.
Prerequisite: GEOL 456 or consent
of the instructor.
GEOL 551 Advanced
Geochemistry (3-0-3)
Principles,
Geochemistry applied to mineral exploration, pollution characterization and
low-temperature diagenesis; clay mineral and cation exchange; adsorption; redox
equillibria; heavy metals and metalloids; stability
relationships; overview of isotope geochemistry; transport and reaction
modeling; interpretation of data, case histories and research problem.
Prerequisite: GEOL 355 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 552 Geochemical Prospecting (3-0-3)
Geochemical
behavior of common ore elements, development of primary and secondary holes
around ore deposits, distribution of detrital
material and solutions by streams. and
glaciers, etc. Strategy
of geochemical exploration programs. in
different terrains and different climates.
Field and semifield methods of analysis for
trace amount of metals.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
GEOL 561 Advanced Hydrogeology (3-0-3)
A general review of the principles
of physical hydrogeology: Geology of porous media; Darcy’s law; Groundwater
flow equations; Pumping test analysis and aquifer evaluation. Concepts of mass transport in porous medium; Contaminant
hydrogeology; Capture zone analysis; Methods of remediation.
Prerequisite: GEOL 423 or equivalent
GEOL 562 Groundwater Modeling (3-0-3)
Review of groundwater
flow and transport equations; Development of numerical models describing
groundwater flow and transport; Application of numerical modeling related to
groundwater depletion and contaminant transport; Case studies.
Prerequisite: GEOL 423
or equivalent. Experience in a programming language is recommended.
GEOL 563 Development of Ground-Water Resources (3-0-3)
An
introduction to geophysical and geochemical methods of exploration for planning,
and design of regional water resources investigations. Case histories in the
management of ground-water resources.
Literature review and special field problems. in resource developments.
Prerequisite: GEOL 562 or consent of the instructor.
GEOL 571 Advanced
Engineering Geology (3-0-3)
Use of
different site investigation techniques for identification and evaluation
environmental problems. before and after construction phases, engineering geological
mapping, and assessment of engineering geological hazards in the arid region, geohazards, risk assessment, sampling and monitoring
methods utilized in the engineering applications. Special emphasis is also given to study the
engineering geological aspects of existing engineering/environmental problem(s)
at selected site(s).
Prerequisite: GEOL 341 or consent
of the instructor
GEOL 572 Geo-Environment (3-0-3)
Study of interaction between
human activity and geologic environment; role of geosciences in planning and
management of the environmental applications, prediction and forecasting of
hazards and changes of the environment caused by natural processes, man-made
and technological activities; selected case studies.
Prerequisite: GEOL 446 or consent of the instructor
GEOL 573 Terrain Analysis (3-0-3)
Study of geomorphic processes, landform development, surficial earth materials, terrain mapping and hazard
evaluation, urban climate, urban hydrology, engineering geological aspects,
soil types, terrain classification, ecology and vegetation, role of Geographic
Information Systems. (GIS) on terrain analysis.
Special emphasis will be given to evaluate of
the engineering geological properties of terrain factors for site selection and
design of engineering and environmental projects. Selected case studies
Prerequisite: GEOL 312 or consent
of the instructor
GEOL 581 Geophysical Exploration (3-0-3)
General survey of the most widely used Geophysical methods
for natural resources exploration and environmental studies (e.g. seismic,
gravity, magnetic, resistivity, telluric, magnetelluric, self-potential and GPR methods). Discussions
include theoretical basis, field instruments, acquisition and reduction of raw
data, various interpretation techniques and field examples. This course cannot
be taken for credit by students in the Geophysics option.
Prerequisite: GEOP 202 or equivalent
GEOL 582 GIS Applications in
Geology (3-0-3)
Introduction
to the GIS. Type of geological and remote sensing data
used in GIS and data preparation for GIS studies. Uses of GIS in mineral and
hydrocarbon exploration, and in geological, and structural studies. Spatial relationship and
geological associations.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
GEOL 583 Photogeology and Remote Sensing (3-0-3)
Advanced
application of multi spectral imagery, radar and other remote sensing data to
geological environments. Emphasis will be given to different digital
image processing techniques and how they can be utilized for specific geological
problem.
GEOL 584 Applied Geostatistics (3-0-3)
Importance of modeling and simulation in characterizing geologic
parameters; Conventional estimation techniques; Principles of the regionalized variables
theory; Analysis of spatial structures and there relation to geologic features;
Kriging methods and their applications; Types of
conditional simulation techniques; Utilization of geostatistical
packages for modeling purposes.
GEOL 585 Geological Laboratory Techniques (
The use of equipment such as the
XRD, XRF, AA, SEM, M.S.-GC, HPLC, ultrasonic wave generators in geological
investigations; preparation of both thin and polished sections in rocks,
minerals and ores; preparation of oriented thin sections in microfossils
staining techniques in mineralogical, petrological
and paleontological investigations.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
GEOL 590 Independent Studies (3-0-3)
Advanced work in certain phases of
geology, adapted to the student's own field of interest. A well-written report and presentation are
required. The course should not duplicate thesis work and cannot be repeated
for credit. Approval of the Chairman of the Department should be secured each
time the course is offered.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
GEOL 592 Special Topics (3-0-3)
Advanced course that may be offered
on a geological topic of interest to a faculty member apart from the topics
covered in the elective courses. The
Department should secure the approval of the Graduate Council each time the
course is offered.
Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.
GEOL
599 Seminar (1-0-0)
Graduate students are required to
attend all the technical seminars organized by the department. Additionally, each student must present at
least one seminar on a timely research topic.
This course is designed to provide students an overview of research in
the Department, and a familiarity with the latest research methodologies, journals
and professional societies in his discipline.
This course is graded on a Pass or Fail basis.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
GEOL 600 Geology
Master Report (0-0-3)
The student carries out a research project on an approved topic in
Geology. A written report and an oral
presentation are required. The project,
report, and presentation should be finished in one semester. Pass-fail basis only. This course is available only for the
students enrolled in the Master of Geology program.
Prerequisite:
Graduate
standing.
GEOL 610 Thesis (0-0-6)
Preparation of a thesis, oral presentation and defense.