BSc in Earth Sciences
The BSc in Earth Science offers two streams of which you choose one:
- Applied Earth Science
- Geo-environmental Science
The choice of streams offer you more diverse career opportunities. Therefore, the first year of both streams are identical, but from the second year some of the modules differ. See the curricula for the streams of BSc in Earth Science in our Calendar.
Stream: Applied Earth Science
South Africa, a mineral-rich country with a fascinating geological history, is the ideal work environment for any geologist. Our practical and theoretical training in, for instance, mineralogy, petrology and geo-environmental science, ensures that our students are sought after in the industry. The second and third year focus on the subject Geology and is supplemented with applicable elective modules.
With the broad basis of earth science knowledge and skills imparted by these focal options, graduates will be in the front line for a challenging national or international career in mining, exploration, applied mineralogy and environmental science. Possible employers are the Council for Geoscience; Mintek; the CSIR; the wide-ranging South African mining, mineral processing and exploration industries; and a variety of local and international geological and environmental science consultancies.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Earth Science, which is the minimum requirement for registration as a professional geologist.
Stream: Geo-environmental Science
This stream is for students who wish to pursue environmental sciences from a natural science perspective, particularly in water sciences such as hydrogeology, as well as those who want to work as environmental consultants in the area of hazardous waste site assessment.
This stream leads to an honours programme in earth Science, which is the minimum requirement for registration as a professional geologist.
Minimum admission requirements
- For the NSC, an average final mark of 65% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
AND
If you take Mathematics 114, 144 and Physics 114, 144 as first-year university subjects:
- Mathematics 70%
OR
If you take Mathematics (Bio) and Physics (Bio) as first-year university subjects:
- Mathematics 60%
The BSc in Earth Science offers two streams of which you choose one:
- Applied Earth Science
- Geo-environmental Science
The choice of streams offer you more diverse career opportunities. Therefore, the first year of both streams are identical, but from the second year some of the modules differ. See the curricula for the streams of BSc in Earth Science in our Calendar.
Stream: Applied Earth Science
South Africa, a mineral-rich country with a fascinating geological history, is the ideal work environment for any geologist. Our practical and theoretical training in, for instance, mineralogy, petrology and geo-environmental science, ensures that our students are sought after in the industry. The second and third year focus on the subject Geology and is supplemented with applicable elective modules.
With the broad basis of earth science knowledge and skills imparted by these focal options, graduates will be in the front line for a challenging national or international career in mining, exploration, applied mineralogy and environmental science. Possible employers are the Council for Geoscience; Mintek; the CSIR; the wide-ranging South African mining, mineral processing and exploration industries; and a variety of local and international geological and environmental science consultancies.
This stream leads to an honours programme in Earth Science, which is the minimum requirement for registration as a professional geologist.
Stream: Geo-environmental Science
This stream is for students who wish to pursue environmental sciences from a natural science perspective, particularly in water sciences such as hydrogeology, as well as those who want to work as environmental consultants in the area of hazardous waste site assessment.
This stream leads to an honours programme in earth Science, which is the minimum requirement for registration as a professional geologist.
Minimum admission requirements
- For the NSC, an average final mark of 65% (excluding Life Orientation)
- Afrikaans or English (Home Language or First Additional Language) 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
AND
If you take Mathematics 114, 144 and Physics 114, 144 as first-year university subjects:
- Mathematics 70%
OR
If you take Mathematics (Bio) and Physics (Bio) as first-year university subjects:
- Mathematics 60%