BIRCHAM INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Faculty of Life & Earth Sciences

MODULE: Geology

Program delivered by distance learning higher education up to a maximum of 36 credits. This module may be combined or completed with other online university courses from this faculty.

DESCRIPTION:

This program offers an analysis of our physical environment through a review of geology. Emphasis is placed in exploring the origin, structure and composition of minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Plate tectonics, volcanism, rock formation, earthquake activity, and mountain building are integrated to give an overview of the Earth’s dynamic internal processes.

Courses list (each subject accounts for 3 credits):

1 BIU Earned Credit = 1 USA Semester Credit (15 hours of learning) = 2 ECTS Credit (30 hours of study).

Earth Science

Geology

Academic Supervisor: Mina Benjouali

More information about this supervisor and online university course instructors at BIU Human Network.

This module is applicable to Specialist, Expert, Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. (Doctor) Programs. This distance learning degree program is designed at the postgraduate level – Master’s or Doctoral. This module may be easily adapted to complete the Specialist, Expert or Bachelor’s adult degree program requirements. A further option is the enrollment into the online university courses listed in this module.

* University Course (3 credits): Select 1 subject from this module.

* Specialist Diploma (15 credits): First 5 subjects or select 5 subjects from this module.

* Expert Diploma (21 credits): First 7 subjects or select 7 subjects from this module.

* Bachelor's Degree (130 credits): The Admission certificate issued after submission of the application for admission will show the amount of credit transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete this undergraduate program's major. Additional courses from other modules of this faculty will be assigned in case that the credits displayed on this module are not enough to complete the bachelor's required credits.

* Master's Degree (35 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 13 credits corresponding to a final project to the selected subjects.

* Ph.D. (Doctor) (45 credits): Select from 3 to 9 subjects from this module depending on the amount of credits transferred from previous education and experience. Add 18 credits corresponding to a final thesis to the selected subjects.

BIU issues an admission certificate after receiving your complete application for admission. This document will show the amount of credits transferred and validated from previous education and experience, and the amount of credits required to complete the degree program's major. BIU can not perform this evaluation without the complete application for admission.

Courses Description (each subject accounts for 3 credits):

Earth Science

This course examines the structure of the Earth including plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes. It reviews the natural processes operating on the Earth, such erosion, mass wasting, glaciation permafrost, rivers, etc., Earth history; stratigraphic and paleontologic concepts; minerals and non-renewable earth resources and their exploitation. It also explores natural hazards and global change, and the primary considerations for survival; water, food and energy supplies, soil loss and waste disposal.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Geology

This course explores the origin, structure and composition of minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Plate tectonics, volcanism, rock deformation, earthquake activity, and mountain building are integrated to give an overview of the Earth’s dynamic internal processes.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Hydrology

This course introduces the main components of the hydrologic cycle including precipitation processes, evapotranspiration, soil water and groundwater flow, and surface water features. Emphasis is placed on the atmospheric and geologic processes controlling water movement in the cycle at the global and local scales, considering the environmental impacts of urbanization and land-use management.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Petrology & Petrography

This course explores the principles and theories of rock genesis. It considers the microscopic examination of important rock forming minerals and their identification if igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks; silicate phase equilibria; and the use of mineral stability diagrams to understand igneous and metamorphic petrogenesis. It also examines the theory of the behavior of light through minerals and optical properties of minerals.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Mineral Deposits & Sedimentology

This course explores the origin, transport and deposition of sediments and mineral deposits. It considers size analysis and sedimentary structures, sedimentary petrology, metal concentration and deposition in magmatic and hydrothermal environments, and other related issues.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Stratigraphy & Earth History

This course studies earth materials, principles and approaches used in deciphering geological history. It examines the development of stratigraphic sequences as controlled by global and regional tectonics and sea level fluctuations.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Rock & Fluid Properties

This course examines reservoir rock and fluid properties, flow behavior in reservoir rocks, behavior of gas in underground storage caverns, and their interrelation.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Geophysics & Plate Tectonics

This course reviews the principles of seismology, geomagnetism, heat flow and gravity applied to problems such as earth structure and earthquake prediction.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Volcanism & Earthquakes

This course focuses on the processes surrounding and causing volcanoes and earthquakes as well as their impact on human culture, their prediction and mitigation.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Mineralogy

This course studies the physical properties of the major rock-forming minerals; their identification, classification and occurrence.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Crystallography

This course introduces crystallography; elements of symmetry and the interrelationship of crystal structure to the physical and chemical properties of minerals. It considers the petrology of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks and its effect on crystal structure of the minerals.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

Geomorphology

This course centers on the dynamic processes that sculpt the Earth’s surface. These processes include weathering and erosion, and sediment deposition by water, wind, ice, and mass-wasting. It considers the physical processes, environmental impact and remediation, and engineering capabilities of soils, fluvial processes, glacial deposits, landslides, and coastal processes.

Instructor: Mina Benjouali

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Professionally recognized and validated degrees.

Accredited (Non USA CHEA). International legalization available.

Non formal and independent education.