Geological Engineering
The aim of the MPhil Geological Engineering programmes is to provide students with expertise knowledge in the exploration and exploitation of natural resources and finding effective solutions to geo-environmental problems associated with the exploitation and utilization of natural resources as in mining, construction, water, petroleum and related industries.
The immediate objectives of the programmes are:
- To provide an avenue for practicing geological engineers and other earth scientists to develop and update their knowledge and skill in various fields of geological engineering such as mineral exploration, hydrogeology, engineering geology.
- To produce competent postgraduates with creative thinking and innovation by challenging themselves to identify and solve problems independently and/or collectively through research.
The admission requirements for prospective students are:
- Either a First Class or Second Class (Upper Division) B.Sc. degree or its equivalent in Geological Engineering, Geology or any earth science related field from a recognized University or
- Second Class (Lower Division) B.Sc. degree or its equivalent in Geological Engineering, Geology or any earth science related field from a recognized University with, at least, three (3) years of relevant experience.
Course Structure:
YEAR ONE – SEMESTER ONE
Course Code
Course Name
Credits
T
P
C
GED 531
Engineering Data Analysis
3
1
3
Elective courses
GED 503
Introduction to Applied Geophysics
3
1
3
GED 507
Structural Geology for Engineers
2
2
3
GED 535
Advanced Engineering Geology
2
2
3
GED 519
Geochemical Exploration Techniques
2
2
3
Total
12
8
15
YEAR ONE – SEMESTER TWO
Course Code
Course Name
Credits
T
P
C
GED 504
Research Methodology
2
0
2
Elective courses
GED 532
Magnetic and Gravity Methods in Exploration
2
2
3
GED 534
Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods in Exploration
2
2
3
GED 540
Subsurface Methods in Petroleum Geology
2
2
3
GED 542
Groundwater Geophysics
2
2
3
Total
10
8
14
YEAR TWO – SEMESTER ONE
Course Code
Course Name
Credits
T
P
C
GED 621
MPhil Thesis Research I
0
14
7
GED 641
Graduate Seminar I
0
2
1
Total
0
16
8
YEAR TWO – SEMESTER TWO
Course Code
Course Name
Credits
T
P
C
GED 622
MPhil Thesis Research II
0
14
7
GED 642
Graduate Seminar II
0
2
1
Total
0
26
8
Course Content:
(a) GED 531 Engineering Data Analysis
Objective:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to basic statistical concepts and methods of solving engineering and scientific problems.
Content:
The topics include introduction to statistical distributions, error propagation, sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, hypotheses testing and confidence intervals, regression analysis and modeling, linear and non-linear parameter estimation methods, time series analysis in spatial and temporal domain, principal component and correspondence analysis, and strategies for solving linear and non-linear least-squares/inverse problems. Mode of delivery is by lectures and laboratory work.
Reading Materials:
- Computational Statistics Handbook with MATLAB, 2nd ed., by WL Martinez and AR Martinez, Chapman and Hall / CRC Press, 2007.
- Statistics in MATLAB: A Primer by M Cho and WL Martinez, Chapman and Hall / CRC Press, 2014.
- Classification and Regression Trees by L Breiman, J. Friedman, CJ Stone and RA Olshen, CRC Press, 1984.
(b) GED 503 Introduction to Applied Geophysics
Objective of the course:
The objective of this course is to provide students’ with the basic theoretical concepts and principles on relevant geophysical techniques applicable in exploration and engineering as well as some hands-on experience in conducting field geophysical surveys and data analysis.
Content:
The course will cover overview, data collection, reduction and interpretation of the main geophysical methods including seismic reflection and refraction, gravity, resistivity, induced polarization, ground penetrating radar, borehole geophysics and time domain electromagnetic methods. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, 2nd ed., by JM Reynolds, Wiley and Blackwell, 2011.
- Applied Geophysics, 2nd ed., by WM Telford, LP Geldart and RE Sheriff, Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 1990.
- Geophysics in Engineering Investigations by PW McDowell, RD Barker, AP Butcher, et al., Geological Society Engineering Geology Special Publication, 2002.
(c) GED 507 Structural Geology for Engineers
Objective:
The objectives of this course are for students to: (a) understand the morphology of geological structures, (b) understand the role of tectonics and deformation in the formation of various types and orientations of geologic structures, (c) understand the important concepts in structural geology directly applicable to mineral deposits and others, (d) have practical skills in applying these concepts to mineral exploration, mining, geotechnical problems, and (e) be able to recognize and map structural features in the field and interpret structural geological data.
Content:
The course entails an introduction to structural geology, relevance of structural geology to geophysical studies, structure of the earth and plate tectonics, structural relationships, stress and strain analysis, rock failure, primary and secondary geological structures, structural data analyses using stereographic projection, and the role of structures in exploration for minerals, oil and gas, and water in Ghana. Field mapping techniques and field visit to the different formations in Ghana. Mode of delivery is by lectures, field practical and laboratory work.
Reading materials:
- Structural Geology, 4th ed., by H Fossen, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
- An outline of Structural Geology by BE Hobbs, WD Means and PF Williams, John Willey & Sons Inc., 1976.
- Rock Slope Engineering, Civil and Mining, 4th ed., by DC Wyllie and CW Mah Spon Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2005.
- Basic Geological Mapping, 4th ed., by JW Barnes and RJ Lisle. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2004.
- Structural Geology - An Introduction to Geometrical Techniques by DM Ragan, Cambridge University Press, 2009.
(d) GED 535 Advanced Engineering Geology
Objective:
The objective of this course is to provide students with the ability in evaluating the suitability of either a site or material for engineering project using appropriate geological information and technique.
Content:
The course content includes: a) identifying geologic processes that affect construction and performance of specific engineering projects like highways, dams, power plants, buildings and waste disposal sites; b) determining the mechanisms through which these geologic processes affect the engineered structures and quantifying them; c) ways of avoiding and/or remediating undesirable effects of geologic processes; e) appropriate and effective means of communicating vital geological information; and f) field visits. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- Landslides and their Control by Q Záruba and V. Mencl, Elsevier, 1969.
- Principles of Engineering Geology by PB Attewell and IW Farmer, Chapman and Hall, 1976.
- Geology for Engineers, 7th edition, by FGH Blyth and MH de Freitas, CRC Press, 1984.
- Engineering Geology and Geotechniques by DH Krynine and WR Judd, McGraw Hill Book, 1990.
(e) GED 519 Geochemical Exploration Techniques
Objective:
The objective of the course is to expose students to modern techniques in geochemical mineral exploration as well as geochemical data evaluation, presentation, interpretation and exploration tenements acquisition.
Content:
The course content includes: (a) Geochemical exploration: locating mineral deposits using lithogeochemical, pedogeochemical, hydrgeochemical, biogeochemical, stream sediments and physiographic methods; primary and secondary environments and dispersion patterns, relative mobility, migration, geochemical association of elements and zoning; (b) Assaying, standard solutions, classical and rapid methods of analysis; rock dissolution techniques, acid attack, rock dissolution procedures, fusion with alkali salts, detection limits and contamination effects; (c) Geochemical data evaluation and interpretation: data integrity; data transformations; identification of anomalies (Multivariate and Univariate Methods, Regression Analysis, etc.); levelling geochemical surveys and conceptual models; and (e) Exploration tenements acquisition. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- Introduction to Mineral Exploration by AM Evans, Blackwell Scientific Publication, 1995.
- Introduction to Geochemistry by KB Krauskopf, New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1967.
- Introduction to Exploration Geochemistry by AA Levinson, Applied Publishing, 1974.
- Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration, 2nd edition, by AW Rose, HE Hawkes, and JJ Webb, Academic Press, 1979.
- Modern Analytical Geochemistry by R Gill, Longman Publishers, 1997.
(f) GED 504 Research Methodology
Objective:
The objective of this course is to enhance the ability of students to write research proposals, undertake independent research, and write technical reports including thesis report and papers for publications.
Content:
The content of this course include; types of research, research organization and management, information search (in library and internet), producing good literature review and clear objectives, forms of thesis, writing and effective reading skills, how to appraise and draw sound conclusions, and the guidelines and structure of a thesis. Also included are planning and setting up experiments, data collection, and data preparation and analyses. Mode of delivery is by lectures.
Reading materials:
- Communication Skills - A Guide for Engineering and Applied Science Students by HW Davies, Prentice Hall, 2001.
- Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques by CR Kothari, New Age International, 2004.
- Pocket Guide to Technical Writing by WS Pfeiffer, Prentice Hall, 2001.
- Effective Communication for Science and Technology by J van Emeden, Palgrave, 2001.
(g) GED 532 Magnetic and Gravity Methods in Exploration
Objective:
The objective of this course is to expose students to practical use of magnetic and gravity geophysical techniques in exploration.
Content:
The course will cover the theory of gravity and magnetic exploration methods; application of potential field theory in interpretation of gravity and magnetic fields, analysis of gravity anomalies, qualitative and quantitative rules for gravity and magnetic data interpretation; indirect methods of interpretation using characteristic curves and polygon method of interpretation, problems of ambiguities and resolution in interpretation, regional and residual anomalies and its separation using various methods; and aero-gravity, aeromagnetic, borehole gravity and micro-gravity surveys. Field surveys. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- Applied Geophysics, 2nd edition, by WM Telford, LP Geldart and RD Sheriff, Press Syndicate of University of Cambridge, 1990.
- An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration by P Keary, M Brooks and I Hill, Blackwell Science Ltd., 2002.
- Gravity and Magnetic Methods for Geological Studies by DC Mishra, BS Publications, 2011.
- Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting, 4th edition, by MB Dobrin and CH Savit, McGraw Hill Book Co., 1988.
- Interpretation of Gravity and Magnetic Anomalies in Space and Frequency Domain by IVR Murthy, and DC Mishra, Association of Exploration Geophysics, 1989.
(h) GED 534 Electrical and Electromagnetic Methods in Exploration
Objective:
The objective of this course is to expose students to practical use of electrical and electromagnetic geophysical techniques in exploration.
Content:
The course covers electrical properties of rocks, overview of electrical techniques in geophysics: direct-current resistivity, complex resistivity, induced polarization, self-potential method, electromagnetic techniques, ground penetrating radar, instrumentation for electrical prospecting, interpretation of field electrical data and application of the various methods in exploration geology (mining and petroleum), engineering geology, hydrogeology, and crustal geology. Field surveys. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- Direct Current Geoelectric Sounding: Principles and Interpretation by PK Bhattacharya and HP Patra, Elsevier Publishing Co., 1968.
- Electrical Methods in Geophysical Prospecting by GV Keller and FC Frischknecht, Pergamon Press, 1966.
- Geophysical Electromagnetic Theory and Methods by MS Zhdanov, Elsevier Publishing Co., 2009.
(i) GED 540 Subsurface Methods in Petroleum Geology
Objective:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to basic concepts and subsurface techniques used in the exploration, evaluation and development of hydrocarbons.
Content:
The course content includes source rocks and origin of petroleum, principles of fluid migration, reservoir rocks and traps, principles and methods of correlation and mapping of subsurface geological features, sedimentary geology concepts, exploration and development of hydrocarbons using subsurface techniques, petrophysical log evaluation, and introduction to reservoir evaluation and hydrocarbon production. Field surveys. Mode of delivery is by lectures and laboratory practical.
Reading materials:
- Geology and Total Petroleum Systems of the Gulf of Guinea Province of West Africa by ME Brownfield and RR Charpentier, USGS Bulletin 2207-C, 2006.
- Correlation in Hydrocarbon Exploration by JD Collinson (ed), Norwegian Petroleum Society, Graham & Trotman, 1989.
- Elements of Petroleum Geology by RC Selley and SA Sonnenberg, Academic Press, 2014.
(j) GED 542 Groundwater Geophysics
Objective:
The course objective is to provide students an understanding of the techniques employed in different environments for the purpose of finding and utilizing groundwater resources.
Content:
The course content include geology of groundwater occurrence, physical characteristics of water-bearing formations and groundwater flow, reconnaissance survey, techniques (i.e. geological, geophysical and remote sensing) for siting wells and boreholes, location of safe drilling sites using geophysical methods, prediction of aquifer yields, and case histories and discussion. It will also cover the use of geophysical methods for imaging and characterizing the top 100 meters of the earth for hydrogeologic applications. Practical aspect of the course will involve acquisition of data on campus or nearby sites for interpretation and computer modeling. Mode of delivery is by lectures and field practical.
Reading materials:
- Groundwater Geophysics: A Tool for Hydrogeology, 2nd edition, by R Kirsch, Springer Science & Business Media, 2008.
- Groundwater Hydrology, 3rd edition, by DK Todd and LW Mays, John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2005.
- Applied Hydrogeology, 4th edition, by CW Fetter, Prentice Hall Inc., 2001.
- Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology, 2nd edition, by PA Domenico and FW Schwartz, John Wiley and Sons Inc., 1998.
- Field Hydrogeology: A Guide for Site Investigations and Report Preparation, Second Edition, JE Moore, CRC Press, 2011
(k) GED 621/622 Graduate Seminar I and II
Objective
The objective of these courses are for the students to build their presentation skills and broaden their knowledge on current technologies from experienced experts from industry. The students will be required to attend seminars given by professionals from industry at the College and, as well, present their research proposals, progress and findings at such seminars under these courses.
(l) GED 641/642 Thesis Research I and II
Objective:
The objective of these courses are for the students to conduct individual research work and come out with an examinable thesis. The thesis work will consists of various combinations of activities including clearly formulating, specifying, defining and justifying a geological related research topic, carrying out a comprehensive literature review on the topic selected, applying basic scientific procedures and tools to conduct the research, and demonstrating ability for critical analyses of research outputs and writing.