Geology/Earth Science

Samara University has a number of leading programs that have significant benefits to the country as a whole. Earth science/ Geology program has been established in Samara University since 2007. The program when established in this university has an attention to produce competent graduates that can solve many geologic problems, conducting and releasing problem solving research output.

Currently, the department of Earth Science is running undergraduate programs and launched master’s degree program in MSc in Hydrogeology and MSc in Mining Geology in 2022.

Objectives

Main Objectives

• Promote interdisciplinary approach both in the academics research and community services
• Encourage research at local level and collaborative research at international level, and strengthen the research facilities through research projects.
• Produce competent graduates who will have technical skills and knowledge in laboratory and field works.
• Produce skilled manpower who could be entrepreneurs.
• Strengthen the research facilities through research projects.
•  Introduce higher level education programs like post graduate and PhD in different fields of earth sciences and establish other new bachelor level departments ;
• Develop a strong bond between industry and university through collaborative research.

Specific Objectives

• To train and make available practical professionals in the earth science who could be involved in natural resource exploration and development projects.
• To train and make available practical professionals who are also equipped with field practices.
• To train and make available practical professionals who could be entrepreneurs.
• Conduct research on different areas of geo-science fields including:
• To assist different development projects or organization involved in planning resource Exploration and development, construction companies and to planners and decision makers in the region.
• Promote international research program in the rift margin geological processes in conjunction with international research institution for the advancement of the earth science.
• Support decision makers and the community in activities related to geological sciences.

Vision

To become center of excellence in Mining geology, Volcanology and Geo-observatory in a country level and also competent enough in Africa and the rests of the world in the field of geosciences by becoming a leading department in teaching, research and community services. To help the country on fully utilized and manage the natural earth resources and the environment in a sustainable manners. To contribute a significant role on the development of our country in general and specifically to the Afar region using geological sciences.

Mission

Department of Earth sciences to be established at Samara University has the following mission initiatives:

• To build the intellectual and human resources capacity through teaching, community service and research in geosciences.
• To conduct research in geosciences to improve and generate new knowledge, and rendering professional service to the community in matters pertaining to the fields of Earth Sciences.
•  To transfer geological sciences and its applications to various user agencies, in advisory capacity building or by undertaking operational projects as service provider.
• To undertake projects and organize Workshops and Seminars to promote the University excellence’s in the field of geosciences,
• To contribute to the education and training of professionals and building the capacity of other organizations in the fields of natural resources, environment, geo-information and

Administration

The Department Head

The Department Head is selected from staff of the department on the basis of merit and interest as soon as the college announces the vacancy for the post. The term of office of the Department Head is two years. Currently, Mr. NORA YANIMIO is serving as Head of the Department. 

Contact Address

Email: nyanimo@gmail.com

Office Telephone: 

Mobile: +251-910629519

P.O. Box: 132, Samara, Ethiopia

DEPARTMENT PROFILE

The Earth Science Department is one of the old Departments in Samara University. It started   offering UG program and gradually expanded to PG in geology. In the past few years of its existence, the Department has built its capacity both in human resources and infrastructure. The Department is having many senior staff having many years of teaching and research experience. Currently, the Earth Sciences Department holds 27 staffs. From these, around 12 are M.Sc. holders (9 lecturers, 2 are PHD candidate and 1 assistance professor), 14 BSc degrees holders with assistants lecturer and 1 lab assistances. The diversity in the fields of specialization has enabled the Department to carry out a wide range of teaching and research activities in various streams of Earth science. The details of the staff profile with designations, fields of specialization and qualification are given in the below. The Department is also focusing on developing laboratories such as geochemical analysis lab (having AAS and UV-Spectrophotometer, petrography lab (with petrological microscopes), geophysics lab, XRD lab, SEM lab and XRF lab etc.

List of Academic Staff Currently on Duty (by specialization)

Academic staffs currently on study (by specialization)

Rationale of Reviewing Curriculum

The undergraduate program in geology has undergone several reviews and amendments to incorporate new ideas and methodologies in geosciences and to meet the needs of the country. Accordingly, the current review was conducted after a series of consultation with governmental and private institutions, other universities within the country, alumni, currently enrolled students, and staff members of the department. The discussion indicated that the curriculum should be reviewed to:

• Include recent ideas in geosciences
• Include more applied courses in geosciences and render more skills and problem solving capabilities to students
• Redress deficiencies of incoming students

• Focus course contents on Ethiopian geologic problems
• Equip students with more general science knowledge
• Diversify opportunities to graduates
• Give sufficient time to cover all the contents in the curriculum and
• Meet the demand of the country for qualified geoscientists

Therefore, to address the above mentioned issues the current undergraduate program is designed to be a four year program with the following general and specific objectives.

Curriculum Profile

The program is designed to include geology core courses, supportive and general study courses to be offered in eight semesters (4 years). These provide fundamental knowledge, skill and desired attitude. The curriculum content is set to produce graduates who fulfill both national and international standards and needs. By increasing emphasis on field trainings and applied courses, the program/curriculum transfers skills which would also enhance the employability of the graduates

Graduate Profile

Upon successful completion of all the required courses in the curriculum, the geology graduate will

• Have the sufficient tacit and explicit knowledge to compare, analyze and synthesize data on geologic and geologic processes, features and resources and convert this knowledge to actionable knowledge in sectors such as earth resources evaluation, development and management, geo-hazards and environmental changes detection and mitigation
•  Have the skill to measure, describe, record, report, and map geologic features, processes, and resources using conventional and up-to-date methods, equipment’s and standards
• Be able to conduct basic and applied researches in earth sciences (including problem identification, comparing and contrasting, inventorying) and be able to communicate with individuals and the community
• Have the attitude and caliber to transform theories and principles from one Earth Science discipline to another
• Be cognizant of the ethics, attitude, and value of own profession and that of responsible

Citizenship

Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the program must successfully complete the precollege program set by the Ministry of Education
• Fulfillment of the general University wide admission requirements

Graduation Requirements

A student must have passed all prescribed courses earning a minimum total 145-146 credits which cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of not less than 2.00.Cumulative GPA in Major courses must be greater than or equal to 2.00 and no ‘F’ in any of the prescribed courses.

Degree Nomenclature

In English: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Applied Geology

In Amharic በአማርኛ፡ የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ፡ በጂኦሎጂ

List of Common Courses

List of Elective Courses

List of Supportive Courses

Course Breakup – Semester wise