Geologist Examinatio Exam Syllabus

Geologist Examination Syllabus

Thestandard of the paper in General English willbesuch as may beexpected of a science graduate. The papers ongeologicalsubjects willbe approximately of the M.Sc. degree standard ofan IndianUniversityand questions will generally be set to test thecandidate'sgrasp ofthe fundamentals in each subject.

There will be no practical examination in any ofthesubjects.

(1)GeneralEnglish

Candidatewill be required to write a short Essay inEnglish.

Other questions will bedesigned to test theirunder-standing of English and workmanlike use ofwords.

(2) Geology - PaperI

Section A:Geomorphology and RemoteSensing.

Basicprinciples. Weatheringand soils, Mass wasting.Influence of climate onprocesses. Concept oferosion cycles.Geomorphology of fluvial tracts,arid zones, coastalregions, 'Karst'landscapes and glaciated ranges.Geomorphic mapping,slope analysis anddrainage basin analysis.Applications ofgeomorphology in mineralprospecting, civilengineering, hydrology andenvironmental studies.Topographical maps.Geomorphology ofIndia.

Concepts andprinciples ofaerial photography andphotogrammetry, satellite remotesensing � dataproducts and theirinterpretation. Digital imageprocessing. Remotesensing in landform andland use mapping, structuralmapping,hydrogeological studies and mineralexploration. Global andIndian SpaceMissions. Geographic InformationSystem (GIS) � principlesandapplications.

Section B:StructuralGeology

Principlesofgeological mapping and map reading,projection diagrams.Stress-strainrelationships of elastic, plastic andviscous materials.Measurement ofstrain in deformed rocks. Behaviour ofminerals androcks underdeformation conditions. Structural analysis offolds,cleavages,lineations, joints and faults.

Superposeddeformation. Mechanism of foldingandfaulting. Time-relationshipbetween crystallization anddeformation.Unconformities andbasement-cover relations. Structuralbehaviour ofigneous rocks,diapirs and salt domes. Introductiontopetrofabrics.

SectionC:Geotectonics

Earthandthe solar system, Meteorites and otherextra-terrestrialmaterials,Planetary evolution of the earth and itsinternalstructure.Heterogeneity of the earth's crust. Major tectonicfeaturesof theOceanic and Continental crust. Continental drift �geologicalandgeophysical evidence, mechanics, objections, presentstatus.

Gravityand magneticanomalies atMid-ocean ridges, deep sea trenches,continental shieldareas andmountain chains. Palaeomagnetism. Seafloorspreading andPlateTectonics. Island arcs, Oceanic islands andvolcanic arcs.Isostasy,orogeny and epeirogeny. Seismic belts of theearth. Seismicityand platemovements. Geodynamics of the Indian plate.

SectionD:Stratigraphy

Nomenclatureand the modern stratigraphiccode.Radioisotopes and measuringgeological time. Geologicaltime-scale.Stratigraphic procedures ofcorrelation of unfossiliferousrocks.Precambrian stratigraphy ofIndia. Stratigraphy of thePalaeozoic,Mesozoic and Cenozoic formationsof India. Gondwana systemandGondwanaland. Rise of the Himalaya andevolution of Siwalikbasin.Deccan Volcanics. Quaternary Stratigraphy.Rock record,palaeoclimatesand palaeogeography.

Section E:Palaeontology

Fossilrecord and geological time-scale.Morphologyand time-ranges of fossilgroups. Evolutionary changes inmolluscs andmammals in geologicaltime. Principles of evolution. Use ofspecies andgenera offoraminifera and echinodermata in biostratigraphiccorrelation.Siwalikvertebrate fauna and Gondwana flora, evidence oflife inPrecambriantimes, different microfossil groups and theirdistributionin India.

(3)Geology - PaperII

Section A:Mineralogy

Physical,chemical andcrystallographiccharacteristics of common rock formingsilicate mineralgroups.Structural classification of silicates. Commonminerals ofigneous andmetamorphic rocks. Minerals of the carbonate,phosphate,sulphide andhalide groups.

Opticalproperties ofcommon rock forming silicateminerals, uniaxial andbiaxial minerals.Extinction angles, pleochroism,birefringenece ofminerals and theirrelation with mineral composition.Twinned crystals.Dispersion. TheU-stage.

Section B: Igneous andMetamorphicPetrology

Forms,textures and structures of igneousrocks.Silicate melt equilibria,binary and pernery phase diagrams.Petrologyand geotectonic evolutionof granites, basalts, andesites andalkalinerocks. Petrology ofgabbros, kimberlites, anorthosites andcarbonatites.Origin of primarybasic magmas.

Textures and structures ofmetamorphic rocks.Regionaland contact metamorphism of pelitic andimpure calcareousrocks. Mineralassemblages and P/T conditions.Experimental andthermodynamic appraisalof metamorphic reactions.Characteristics ofdifferent grades and faciesof metamorphism.Metasomatism andgranitization, migmatites. Platetectonics andmetamorphic zones. Pairedmetamorphic belts.

Section C:Sedimentology

Provenanceand diagenesis of sediments.Sedimentarytextures. Framework matrix andcement of terrigenoussediments.Definition, measurement andinterpretation of grain size.Elements ofhydraulics. Primarystructures, palaeocurrent analysis.Biogenic andchemical sedimentarystructures. Sedimentary environment andfacies.

Faciesmodelling formarine,non-marine and mixed sediments. Tectonicsandsedimentation.Classification and definition of sedimentarybasins,Sedimentary basinsof India. Cyclic sediments. Seismic andsequencestratigraphy. Purposeand scope of basin analysis. Structurecontoursand isopachmaps.

SectionD:Geochemistry

Earthinrelation to the solar system and universe,cosmic abundance ofelements.Composition of the planets and meteorites.Structure andcomposition ofearth and distribution of elements. Traceelements.Elementary crystalchemistry and thermodynamics. Introductiontoisotope geochemistry.Geochemistry of hydrosphere, biosphereandatmosphere. Geochemical cycleand principles of geochemicalprospecting.

Section E:EnvironmentalGeology

Conceptsandprinciples. Natural hazards �preventive/precautionary measures�floods, landslides, earthquakes,river and coastal erosion.Impactassessment of anthropogenic activitiessuch as urbanization, opencastmining and quarrying, river-valleyprojects, disposal of industrialandradio-active waste, excesswithdrawal of ground water, useoffertilizers, dumping of ores, minewaste and fly-ash.

Organicandinorganic contamination of groundwater and their remedialmeasures. Soildegradation and remedialmeasures. Environmentprotection � legislativemeasures inIndia.

(4) Geology -PaperIII

Section A:Indianmineral deposits and mineral economics

Occurrenceand distribution in India ofmetalliferousdeposits � base metals,iron, manganese, aluminium,chromium, nickel,gold, silver, molybdenum.Indian deposits of non-metals� mica,asbestos, barytes, gypsum,graphite, apatite and beryl.Gemstones,refractory minerals, abrasivesand minerals used in glass,fertilizer,paint, ceramic and cementindustries. Building stones.Phosphoritedeposits. Placer deposits,rare earth minerals.

Strategic, criticaland essential minerals.India'sstatus in mineral production. Changingpatterns of mineralconsumption.National Mineral Policy. MineralConcession Rules. Marinemineralresources and Law of Sea.

Section B:Ore genesis

Oredeposits and ore minerals. Magmaticprocesses ofmineralisation.Porphyry, skarn and hydrothermalmineralisation. Fluidinclusionstudies. Mineralisation associated with �(i) ultramafic,mafic andacidic rocks, (ii) greenstone belts, (iii)komatiites,anorthosites andkimberlites and (iv) submarine volcanism.Magma-relatedmineralisationthrough geological time. Stratiform andstratabound ores.Ores andmetamorphism � cause and effectrelations.

Section C:Mineralexploration

Methodsofsurface and subsurface exploration,prospecting for economicminerals �drilling, sampling and assaying.Geophysical techniques �gravity,electrical, magnetic, airborne andseismic. Geomorphologicaland remotesensing techniques. Geobotanical andgeochemical methods.Boreholelogging and surveys fordeviation.

Section D: Geologyoffuels

Definition,origin of coal. Stratigraphy ofcoalmeasures. Fundamentals of coalpetrology, peat, lignite, bituminousandanthracite coal. Microscopicconstituents of coal.Industrialapplication of coal petrology. Indiancoal deposits.Diagenesis oforganic materials.

Origin,migrationand entrapment of naturalhydorcarbons. Characters of sourceandreservoir rocks. Structural,stratigraphic and mixed traps.Techniquesof exploration. Geographicaland geological distributions ofonshore andoffshore petroliferous basinsof India.

Mineralogyand geochemistryof radioactive minerals.Instrumental techniques ofdetection andmeasurement of radioactivity.Radioactive methods forprospecting andassaying of mineral deposits.Distribution ofradioactive minerals inIndia. Radioactive methods inpetroleumexploration � well loggingtechniques. Nuclear waste disposal�geological constraints.

Section E:Engineeringgeology

Mechanicalproperties of rocks and soils.Geologicalinvestigations for rivervalley projects � Dams andreservoirs; tunnels� types, methods andproblems. Bridges � types andfoundation problems.Shorelineengineering. Landslides � classification,causes, preventionandrehabilitation. Concrete aggregates �sources,alkali-aggregatereaction. Aseismic designing � seismicity inIndiaandearthquake-resistant structures. Problems of groundwaterinengineeringprojects. Geotechnical case studies of major projectsinIndia.

(5)Hydrogeology

Section A: Origin, occurrenceanddistribution of water.

Originof water: meteroic, juvenile, magmatic andseawaters, Hydrologiccycle: precipitation, runoff, infiltrationandevapotranspiration,Hydrographs. Subsurface movement andverticaldistribution ofgroundwater, Springs, Classification ofaquifers,Concepts of drainagebasin and groundwater basin.hydrologicalproperties of rocks �specific yield, specific retention,porosity,hydraulic conductivity,transmissivity, storage coefficient,water tablefluctuations �causative factors, concept of barometric andtidalefficiencies, watertable contour maps, Classification of rockswithrespect to their waterbearing characteristics,Hydro-stratigraphicunits, Groundwaterprovinces of India, Hydrogeologyof and Zones ofIndia, wet lands.

Section B: Wellhydraulies and well design

Theoryof groundwaterflow, Darey's Law and itsapplications, determination ofpermeability inlaboratory and in field,Types of wells, drillingmethods, construction,design, development andmaintenance of wells,specific capacity and itsdetermination.Unconfined, confined, steady,unsteady and radial flowconditions, Pumpstests � methods, dataanalysis and interpretation forhydrogeologicboundaries, Evaluation ofaquifer parameters using Thiem,Theis, Jacoband Walton methods,Groundwater modeling � numerical andelectricalmodels.

Section C:Groundwaterchemistry

Groundwaterquality � physical and chemicalpropertiesof water, quality criteriafor different uses, graphicalpresentation ofwater quality data,groundwater quality in differentprovinces of India �problems ofarsenic and fluoride, Saline waterintrusion in coastal andotheraquifers and its prevention,Radioisotopes in hydrogeologicalstudies,Groundwater contamination.

Section D:Groundwaterexploration

Geological� lithological and structuralmapping,fracture trace analysis,Hydrogeological � lithologicalclassificationwith respect ofhydrologic properties, Hydrauliccontinuity in relationto geologicstructures, Location of springs Remotesensing �hydrogeomorphicmapping of the terrain using different imagesofdifferent satellitemissions, lineament mapping, shallowgroundwaterpotential zone mappingusing satellite images, Surfacegeophysicalmethods � seismic, gravity,geo-electrical and magnetic,Subsurfacegeophysical methods � welllogging for delineation of aquifersandestimation of water quality.

SectionE: Groundwater problems and management.

Groundwaterproblemsrelated to foundation work,mining, canals and tunnels,Problems of overexploitation andgroundwater mining. Groundwaterdevelopment in urbanareas and rainwater harvesting, Artificialrecharge methods, Groundwaterproblems inarid regions and remediation.Groundwater balance and methodsofestimation. Groundwater legislation.Sustainability criteriaandmanaging renewable and nonrenewablegroundwater resources.