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Program Objectives
The program at undergraduate level is offered over eight semesters and provides basic knowledge and skills in earth sciences. The program aims to supplement a broad background of geological knowledge with skills transferrable to the working world or scientific investigation.
The General Attributes of Basic Sciences Graduates
* Recognize the role or Basic Sciences in the development of society.
* Develop scientific approaches that meet community needs considering economic, environmental, social, ethical, and safety requirements.
* Utilize scientific facts and theories to analyze and interpret practical data.
* Collect, analyze, and present data using appropriate formats and techniques.
* Postulate concepts and choose appropriate solutions to solve problems on scientific basis.
* Apply effectively information technology relevant to the field.
* Participate effectively in a multidisciplinary teamwork and be flexible for adaptation, decision making and working under contradictory conditions as well as exhibiting the sense of beauty and neatness.
* Adopt self and long life-leaning and participate effectively in research activities.
* Deal with scientific data in Arabic, English or other languages.
In addition to the general attributes of Basic Sciences graduates, by the end of this program, the student should be able to:
Demonstrate a wide range of integrated knowledge related to different branches of geology.
Employ concepts and theories of physics and mathematics to interpret geological processes taking place in and on the Earth.
Employ effectively the principles, procedures and techniques used in the geological investigations in accordance with the safety regulations and good practices in the laboratory and the field.
Design and undertake geological experimental analysis (using maps, aerial photographs, satellite images, field instruments) and assess the results.
Estimate and assess the visibility of the projects related to the earth resources and geologic hazards.
Recognize the relationship and interactions among geology and the environment and abide by the legislations and ethics related to the environment preservation and human health and welfare.
Program features
* Knowledge and Understanding
The basic science graduate must acquire the knowledge and understanding of:
1. The related basic scientific facts, concepts, principles and techniques of Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
2. The relevant theories and their applications.
3. The processes and mechanisms supporting the structure and function of the specific topics.
4. The related terminology, nomenclature and classification systems.
5. The theories and methods applied for interpreting and analyzing data related to discipline.
6. The developmental progress of the program- related knowledge.
7. The relation between the studied topics and the environment.
In addition to the general knowledge and understanding acquired by basic science graduates, the geology-geophysics graduates must be able to:
8. Integrate comprehension of the theories, facts, concepts, fundamentals and techniques used for geological field studies and related laboratory analysis.
9. Apply the role of mathematics, physics, and other collateral subjects in understanding the physical features and history of the earth over geological timescales.
10. Use the principles and procedures used in geological analyses to explain the stratigraphical and tectonic events of the earth.
11. Correlate the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the earth.
12. Recognize the structure and composition of the earth.
13. Determine the types and distribution of natural resources (rocks, minerals, hydrocarbons and groundwater).
* Intellectual Skills
The basic science graduate must be able to:
1. Differentiate between subject-related theories and assess their concepts and principles.
2. Analyze, synthesize, assess and interpret qualitatively and quantitatively science relevant data.
3. Develop lines of argument and appropriate judgments in accordance with scientific theories and concepts.
4. Postulate and deduce mechanisms and procedures to handle scientific problems.
5. Construct several related and integrated information to confirm, make evidence and test hypotheses.
In addition to the general intellectual skills acquired by the basic science graduates, the geology-geophysics graduates must be able to:
6. Discuss geosciences related theories and assess their concepts and principles to explain geological phenomena.
7. Develop an integrated and systematic understanding of the present and past interactions between the internal and external processes of the earth and the surrounding spheres.
8. Analyze, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative geological data to choose optimum solutions for geological problems based on critical thinking.
9 Monitor and manage natural and human-induced environmental changes on the earth materials and evaluate their implications on the sustainable development projects.
Interperate the geological maps and three-dimensional models of surface and sub-surface geological systems acquired through knowledge of geological mapping and electronic mapping packages.
* Professional and Practical Skills
The basic science graduate must be able to:
1. Plan, design, process and report on the investigated data, using appropriate techniques and considering scientific guidance.
2. Apply techniques and tools considering scientific ethics.
3. Solve problems using a range of formats and approaches.
4. Identify and criticize the different methods used in addressing subject related issues.
In addition to the general practical and professional skills acquired by basic science graduates, the geology-geophysics graduates must be able to:
5. Plan, design, process and report on the investigated geological data, using appropriate techniques considering scientific guidance and ethics.
6. Identify and criticize the different geological methods used in addressing subject related issues.
7. Use the suitable recent laboratory and field equipments safely for collecting the geological data, and analyzing samples in accordance with ethical guidelines.
8. Apply mathematical and computational tools to analyze and interpret experimental data in terms of theories relevant to geology.
9. Monitor, by observation and measurement, earth crust, events or changes in its history followed by systematic and reliable recording and documentation.
10. Apply the geographical information system (GIS) in interpreting the different geological phenomena.
11. Solve geological problems using a wide range of formats and approaches of geophysical data.
12. Apply exploration and exploitation strategies for natural resources such as hydrocarbons, rocks, minerals and groundwater.
* General and Transferable Skills
The graduates must be able to:
1. Use information and communication technology effectively.
2. Identify roles and responsibilities, and their performing manner.
3. Think independently, set tasks and solve problems on scientific basis.
4. Work in groups effectively; manage time, collaborate and communicate with others positively.
5. Consider community linked problems, ethics and traditions.
6. Acquire self- and long life–learning.
7. Apply scientific models, systems, and tools effectively.
8. Deal with scientific patents considering property right.
9. Exhibit the sense of beauty and neatness.
Academic Reference Standards
The academic reference standards (ARS) for geology program has been approved by the National Authority of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education. This ARS represent general expectations about the standards for the award of qualifications at a given level and articulate the attributes and capabilities that those possessing such qualifications should be able to demonstrate.
Benchmarks
The bench marks for geology program are NARS for geology-geophysical program and geology–chemistry program. Also, the academic reference standard of Earth Science and Engineering Program, Imperial College, UK was followed during the preparation of the proposed ARS.
Program Structure