Applied Geology

This is an advanced course taught in the final year. It requires good background in other courses like Rock Forming Processes, Geochemistry and Economic Geology. The course is divided into two parts. Part I deals with the basic principles and concepts of exploration geochemistry, which is absolutely critical to the successful application of geochemistry within mineral exploration. Part II handles the procedures of (i) geochemical surveys, (ii) geochemical analyses, (iii) geochemical data evaluation and interpretation.The major topics of this course are: •Principles and Concepts of Exploration Geochemistry • Quality Control in Exploration Geochemistry • Geochemical Survey Methods (Field, Laboratory and Data Analysis) • Procedure for carrying out geochemical exploration of different regions

This course covers the main elements of the geology of Nigeria and its geological evolution from the Archean to the present.

This course introduces students to the concepts of global tectonics and deformation of the earth’s crust.

• Crystal form and habit, Twinning • Isomorphism and isomorphous replacement. • Determination of specific gravity and refractive index of crystals. • Optical properties. Colours; causes and artificial alteration, diffraction of light. Spectroscopy and absorption spectra. • Luminescent and electrical properties. Application of X-rays and ultraviolet light to gem testing. • Inclusions and other internal features. • Description of gem minerals. • Natural gemstones; colour, chemical composition, crystal system cleavage, hardness, specific gravity, refractive index, pleochroism, lustre, mode of occurrence. • Sources of different gem varieties and methods of identification. • Synthetic and Imitation stones: Synthetic, composite and paste stones; methods of manufacture and identification. • Organic Products: Native and cultured pearl; their formation, structure and occurrence. Imitation pearl. Methods of identification. • Occurrence and identification of Amber; coral, ivory, tortoises shell etc. • Fashioning of gemstone: Outline of methods used by diamond cutters and lapidaries.

This course is designed to teach students the importance of the link between geology and environment. The interaction of man with the earth and its consequence in producing environmental changes in space and time. It will look at the consequences of exploration and extraction (of solid minerals, petroleum and water )activities on the natural environment and describe methods to limit environmental damage due to resource extraction.

Production of mineral resources has been one of the key sectors that play a great role in enhancing economic development in both the developed and developing countries of the world. However, the great danger caused from the production of mineral resources to the health and safety of both the owners and workers deserve urgent attention of all the stakeholders in the mining sector and its related field. Emphasis should be shifted from the profit making alone from mineral resources production to the hazard and risks minimization. This course is designed primarily for the students in mining engineering disciplines and related fields. A lot of topics and sub-topics will be covered in this course that will ensure and equip students with adequate training on health and safety. Some of the topics include the importance of mine health and safety to mining industry; health and safety and their controls in surface and underground mines operation; safety in mineral processing plant; safety regulation in the handling of blasting accessories; health and safety in offshore industry; general safety rules and regulations in mining industries and industrial visit to quarries and other mining industries for health and safety assessment.

The course is designed to teach students to the basic principles of locating features on the Earth’s surface. While it is a compulsory course for students in remote sensing, it also meets the needs of students in the earth sciences and other location-based disciplines. It is also expected to expose to hands-on training in the use of locational equipment like compass-clinometer, hand-held GPS and GNSS.

The course is largely the application aspect of Engineering Geology I. It explains how the fundermental principles of soil mechanics may be applied in practice

This course involves a review of data or any subject in any area of geology and presentation of a seminar on this.

This is an advanced course taught in the final year. It requires good background in other courses like Rock Forming Processes, Petrology and Economic Geology. The course is divided into two parts. Part I deals with the description and classification of industrial minerals and rocks. Part II handles the geology of different industrial minerals, as well as their beneficiation procedures. The major topics of this course are: • Definition of industrial minerals and their classification; • The geology, origin and occurrence of the chief categories and deposits of commercial, non-metallic minerals and rocks; • The requirements of industry as regards the physical and chemical properties of industrial minerals and rocks, and their uses; • Economics of industrial rocks and minerals;

This course is an applied, final year course designed primarily for students in applied geology and other relevant disciplines. However, it also meets the need of students in other fields, as a course that provides introduction to world oceans, basic understanding in the physical, chemical and biological aspects of these oceans and various geological processes that is going on in the oceans. As a course that integrates theory and practical, the purpose is to expose the students to a better understanding of the world oceans and impart useful skills on the mineral resources of the ocean, how these minerals could be accessed and management of coastal environment. Topics to be covered include world ocean and physical, chemical and biological oceanography; physiography of world oceans; plate tectonics as it relates to oceans; ophiolite complexes; coastal processes, deep sea sediments; mineralisation in the oceans and methods of ocean floor sampling.

This course is designed to teach students the geology of the African continent, its evolution from the Archean to the present and mineralization.

This course involves a research topic in any area of applied geology.