Overview
Philosophy of the Programme
The Department of Geology offers an undergraduate program for the B.Sc. Degree based on the course unit system. The revised B.Sc. Degree program in Geology is designed as an Applied Science Course that will produce graduates with the requisite knowledge and practical skills to work in mineral, water, energy and environment related fields. The program allows students to specialize in Geology by registering for Geology courses only in the third and fourth years of the B.Sc. program. Students wishing to specialize in Geology are advised to select apart from Geology courses, appropriate courses in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics in their 1stand 2nd years of study.
The B.Sc. Geology course offers a unique range of educational opportunities spanning the diverse range of geological profession in the mineral, water, energy and environmental studies. The driving philosophy is geared towards the promotion of effective training, relevant research and academic excellence in geological and related fields. To enrich this program, the Department maintains close links with the needs of practice through scholarship, research, consultancy and the realization of the National and International development policy statements such as Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) respectively. Virtually all the courses under this program are recognized and accredited by the Geological Society of Kenya, which is the relevant professional body in the country.
The need for this programme is justified by:
- The realistic need to understand the Earth, its Processes and the ever-increasing demand of geological resources which have to be sustainably harnessed for the development of humanity.
The rationale of the programme is informed by:
- A needs assessment, market survey and situation analysis; and
- Stakeholders' input.
Goal of the Programme
This programme combines a strong traditional emphasis on observational and field skills with the numerical and analytical fundamental science required to understand Earth Processes and systems quantitatively.
The modular nature of this course enables the student to gain a solid understanding of geosciences while tailoring the study programme to suit various interests. At the end of the course the students shall have mastered concepts in all geological aspects.
Objectives
At the end of the programme, the learner should be able to:
- Evaluate the techniques used in determining the origin, structure and composition of the Earth and other planets.
- Explain the past, present and possible future changes on Earth as a response to the disturbance of its systems and interactions between them (e.g. climatic change, mass extinction).
- Describe the geological occurrence of mineral and energy resources including oil, gas, coal and geothermal resources.
- Assess the monitoring and management of natural and human-induced environmental changes for better exploitation and conservation of the Earth's resources.
- Apply efficient and effective geological field mapping techniques, laboratory analysis, interpretation, writing and presentation of research data and reports using latest technology.
- Support society through teaching, research, consultancy and outreach in the area of geology.
Duration of Studentship
The students may stay for a maximum of double the prescribed number of semesters
The course shall have a minimum duration of eight (8) semesters and maximum of sixteen (16) semesters.
The period of Studentship shall commence when the student first registers and pays the requisite fees for the first semester of the first year.
During the Period, the Student shall be required to register for each semester of study.
The University shall allow extension of course duration by a period not exceeding two (2) semesters in the whole course duration
Click here on how to apply: https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
Structure
Course Structure
The programme is offered under two modes, full time (Modules I & II) or through Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODeL) (Module III) for students who cannot attend the full-time university program.
A candidate for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology shall be required to take the common courses approved by the school in addition to the courses prescribed for the program. The candidate shall be required to follow the prescribed course regulations as hereunder:
i. Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree in Geology shall take a minimum of 50 course units for Applied Sciences during the four years. The minimum number of courses per academic year shall be thirteen (13) for years 1 and 2, and twelve (12) for years 3 and 4.
ii. The candidate shall be required to attend at least 2/3 of lectures, carry out practical’s and undertake a research project.
iii. The candidate may attend internship at year 3 of study for at least 30 days (1 month).
iv. The candidate should engage in community service work during the course of their study.
MODE OF DELIVERY
The following are the modes of delivery for this programme.
1. Face -to-Face
i. The duration of the course shall be eight semesters (four years).The course will be evaluated in term of units. A course unit will be defined as consisting 45 contact hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals. For this purpose one 1-hour lecture is equivalent to one 2-hour tutorial or one 3-hour practical or any combination of these that may be recommended by the School Board and approved by Senate. Candidates shall take a total of 50 units amounting to a total of 2250 hours during the four years of study as follows.
ii. In the first and second year of study, apart from Geology courses, the candidates will be required to take approved courses in Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics. In addition, candidates will be required to take undergraduate Common Courses. Candidates will be expected to take a total of 13 course units in the first and second year.
iii. In the third and fourth year of study, candidates will be expected to take a total of 12 approved course units per year covering various areas of Geology.
iv. During their fourth year, candidates will undertake a research project (SGL 413) under supervision of an academic member or members of staff. The project runs throughout the academic year at the end of which the candidates are expected to submit a written report and orally present their results before a panel of examiners.
v. Students pursuing a general degree programme in Geology may register only for the core courses in their third and fourth years of the B.Sc. programmes respectively.
2. Open, Distance and e-Learning (ODeL)
i. The course structure and requirements for the degree program through open, distance and electronic learning (ODeL) remain the same as under the full-time mode of study.
ii. The open, distance and electronic learning (ODeL) mode of study will run for a minimum of eight (8) semesters of twenty four (24) weeks each and a maximum of sixteen (16) semesters from the date of registration. The open, distance and electronic learning mode of study will be offered using multi-media approach, including a variety of self-instructional print and electronic study materials.
iii. In addition, there will be face-to-face instructional engagements during residential training. The face-to-face instruction shall not exceed one third (1/3) of the instruction time as under the full-time mode of study.
iv. The course units remain the same as the ones for face to face mode of delivery
3.Blended.
This mode combines the face to face leaning and online learning delivery methods.Currently due to Covid 19 containment measures, all programmes are offered online through various Learning Management Platforms approved by the University of Nairobi Senate.
The online mode of delivery consists of comprehensive coverage of the syllabus through lectures, assignments, quizzes, tutorials, practicals, seminars, workshops using online learning platforms like eClass, SOMAS, Microsoft teams & Google meet, the Student Management Information System (SMIS) and the University of Nairobi Learning Management Systems.
The course units remain the same as the ones for face to face mode of delivery
Click here on how to apply https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
Admission Requirements
Minimum Admission Requirements
Candidates must have attained the minimum University of Nairobi and School of
Physical Sciences entry requirements. In addition, the prospective candidates must have passed:
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with mean grade of C+ or equivalent, with passes in at least three subjects from either of the following;
(i) Minimum grades of C+ in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Geography or
(ii) Minimum grades of C+ in Mathematics, Biology, Geography and B- in Physical Sciences
(iii) Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE), or equivalent qualifications, with at least two Principal level passes in: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Physics,
(iv) Holders of KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant field from an institution recognized by the Senate.
(v) Ordinary/Higher National Diploma, or equivalent qualifications in the sciences with at least a pass.
(vi) Science/Technical Diploma from Teacher
Training Colleges, or equivalent in sciences with at least a pass.
(vii) A science/technology degree from an institution recognized by the Senate, or equivalent qualifications
(viii) Candidates who may have not fulfilled conditions above may be considered for admission provided they present evidence of having undertaken and passed relevant bridging courses from an institution recognized by the Senate and MUST have scored at least grade C in the subject(s) for which bridging has been undertaken.
Schedule of Intake and Application
Application to join the programme normally commences April to enable the students to be admitted in September the same year. Applicants wishing to be sponsored by the government must submit their applications through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). Click here for further information.
Self sponsored students wishing to join the programme should submit their applications through University of Nairobi Online Application Portal. Click here for further information.
Registration and admission for qualified applicants commences in August.
For more information on how to apply please click here.
Careers
Attachment
The students get attachment to their potential employers under the following categories
1. Government ministries like
- Ministry of Environment and Mineral resources
- Ministry of Energy
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation
- Ministry of Agriculture
- Ministry of Roads and Public works
- Ministry of Lands and settlement
2. Parastatal bodies like
- Post secondary teaching institutions
- Mining companies e.g. Magadi soda
- Geothermal energy development companies
- Petroleum exploration companies
- Development Authorities -KVDA<TARDA
3. Private firms like :-
- Groundwater exploration firms
- Oil exploration firms
- Engineering Firms
- Mining Companies
Careers
Careers that can be undertaken on completion include:-
- Engineering geologist
- Geochemist
- Geophysicist
- Geoscientist
- Geotechnical engineer
- Hydrogeologist
Contacts of Support Persons
For more information please contact
Dr. Charles M. Gichaba, Senior Lecturer, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Email: maina.gichaba@uonbi.ac.ke
Click here on how to apply https://uonbi.ac.ke/content/how-apply
Fees and Funding
| BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY - I13 | |||
| YEAR 1 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000.00 | 144,000.00 | 288,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000.00 | 6,000.00 | 12,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Total- geology Year 1 | 178,750.00 | 152,250.00 | 331,000.00 |
| YEAR 2 -12UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000.00 | 144,000.00 | 288,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 6,000.00 | 6,000.00 | 12,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Total- geology Year 2 | 173,750.00 | 152,250.00 | 326,000.00 |
| YEAR 3 -10UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000.00 | 144,000.00 | 288,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Total- geology Year 3 | 172,750.00 | 151,250.00 | 324,000.00 |
| YEAR 4 -10UNITS | |||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | TOTALS | |
| TUITION | 144,000.00 | 144,000.00 | 288,000.00 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | 5,000.00 | 5,000.00 | 10,000.00 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000.00 | - | 7,000.00 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 2,250.00 | 2,250.00 | 4,500.00 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | - | 1,000.00 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500.00 | 6,500.00 | |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 | |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Total- geology Year 4 | 172,750.00 | 151,250.00 | 324,000.00 |
| Grand TOTALS | 1,305,000.00 |