MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY PROGRAM

 

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:

 

 

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:

 

 

Core Courses

 

The following courses are required for all graduate students in the Geology option:

 

 

Elective Courses

 

Geology elective courses, their titles, and credit hours are listed in the following table:

 

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 Middle East                               3         0         3

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

 

 

MASTER OF GEOLOGY PROGRAM

 

 

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:

 

 

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:

 

 

Core Courses

 

The following courses are required for all graduate students in the Geology option:

 

 

Elective Courses

 

Geology elective courses, their titles, and credit hours are listed in the following table:

 

 

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 Middle East                               3          0          3

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 Middle East                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        (3-0-3)

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 Arabia and nearby regions.

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 Saudi Arabia                                                                                                 (3-0-3)

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                                                                                                                         (2-3-3)

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                                                                                                                             (2-3-3)

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                                                                                                                                   (2-3-3)

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.  Ore formation processes, ore bearing fluids, wall rock alteration, paragenesis, isotopic and fluid inclusion studies and ore deposits distribution according to their geological environment.  The metalogenic provinces in Saudi Arabia and examples of ore deposits within the Arabian Shield and cover rocks.  At least one field trip to an operational mine or mineral prospect is required.

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.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

 

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.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

 

GEOL  585  Geological Laboratory Techniques                                                                                                     (2-3-3)

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.