Academic Research Geologist
Geoscience – Academia and Research
Geoscience is the study of the Earth. Numerous sub-disciplines exist within the geosciences that include, but are not limited to:
- Geologists: scientists who study the history and physical nature of the Earth including different rock types.
- Geochemists: scientists who study the chemical composition of the Earth.
- Geophysicists: scientists who study the physical properties of the Earth and their applications.
- Mineralogists: scientists who study minerals.
Figure 1: Field excursion with students, where they are taught about rocks and geological field mapping techniques.
A possible career path for geoscientists is to go into academia and research, which is usually work based at a university or a university-affiliated research institution. Such work includes the following tasks:
- Conducting pure and applied research. Pure research is focused on understanding basic properties and processes (why and how?), whereas applied research is focused on developing useful processes and products (how can it be used?).
- Applying for and sourcing funding for research. The funding can come from the government, private funders and industry.
- Teaching geoscience subjects to students in lectures, laboratory sessions and field excursions.
- Supervising masters and doctoral students in their research activities.
- Managing laboratory staff and equipment.
- Taking part in university and other geoscience society leadership and administration.
Figure 2: Geoscience research visit to an active open pit mine.
In general, the research and teaching entail a lot of field work, as the rocks that are studied occur in the great outdoors. Geoscience academics often have close working relationships with the minerals industry, which includes the exploration (searching) for and mining of mineral ore deposits.
Figure 3: Geoscience researcher working in an analytical laboratory.
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Where to study
Nelson Mandela University
North-West University
Tshwane University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Johannesburg
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Free State
University of the Western Cape
| University of the Witwatersrand |
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University of South Africa
University of KwaZulu-Natal