SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES

Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

DAY 1 GENERAL GEOLOGY (40%)

Its scope, branches and relation to other sciences

A. The Planet Earth

1. Earth’s statistics, size and shape and other important stats
2. Geosphere (Layers and Discontinuities with Stats)
3. Atmosphere and hydrosphere
 Hydrologic Cycle
 Layers of the Atmosphere
 Relative abundant of Water in the Hydrosphere
4. Notable Features (Note the extremes e.g. Longest, Tallest etc. Trivial Type)
 Mountain Belts
 Oceanic Ridges
 Trenches
 Islands arcs
 Volcanic chains
5. Overview Earth Materials
 Relative abundance of elements in the atmosphere
 Relative abundance of elements in the earth’s crust
 Minerals and common rock forming minerals
6. Description of the general rock types: Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary.
 Igneous Rock Classes and Varieties
 Origin and composition of magma.
 Extrusive phenomena - lava and pyroclastics
 Eruption types, prediction and related phenomena.
 Intrusive phenomena - dikes, sills, batholiths
 Sedimentary Rocks
 Weathering
 Physical and Chemical
 Product of Weathering
 Soil Types and Profile.
 Erosion
 Streams and stream erosion
 Ocean and Wave erosion.
 Sedimentation
 Basins of Deposition
 Geosyneline
 Transformation of Sedimentary Rock (Sed Processes)
 Processes affecting sediments
 Types of sedimentary rocks
 Metamorphic rocks and Metamorphism
 Agents of metamorphism
 temperature, pressure, and chemically active fluids.
 Types of metamorphism contact, regional, isograd.
7. Earth’s Processes
 Mountain Building
 Geostasy
 Processes occurring the earth’s interior
 Processes related to uplifting of geosynclinal deposits
*Unofficial and intended for personal use only
SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

8. Theories
 Continental drift
 seafloor spreading
 plate tectonics, and other theories
9. Earthquakes, Volcanism and the earth’s interior
 Strongest Earthquakes
 Notable Volcanic Eruptions with VEI
 Earthquake distribution/pattern (Pwave-Swave shadow zones etc)

B. Geology of the Philippines

1. Distribution of Igneous, Sed and Met rocks
2. Distribution of Intrusive in the Philippines
3. Geol Age of Philippine rocks
4. Phil Strat with Index Fossils
5. Distribution of rock forming minerals and economic minerals
6. Geologic Evolution of the Philippines

C. Principles of structural geology

1. Rock Deformation
 Folding of rocks
 Fracturing and faulting
 strike-and dip concepts
 Igneous structures

D. Historical geology and Paleontology

1. Records in Rocks (First Appearance, Extinction, Abudance)
 Index Fossils (Local and Global)
 Ichnofossils
2. Relative and Absolute time scale
3. Notable rocks formations and Age (Oldest rocks, Ophiolites etc)
4. Notable Events
 Orogeny
 Mass Extinctions
 Climate shifts
 Transgressive-Regressive Events

E. Stratigraphy and Geomorphology

1. Steno Laws and fundamental Terminoligies
2. Sedimentary Environments
F. Field methods
1. Geologic mapping
2. Report Writing
3. Fieldwork Techniques

*Unofficial and intended for personal use only

SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

DAY 2 PETROLOGY AND MINERALOGY (30%)

A. Mineralogy
1. Crystallography
 Internal structure and properties
 Symmetry and notation of crystals
 Measurement of crystal Angles and Projection
 Classes of crystal systems
2. Physical Properties of Minerals
 Cleavage, Parting and fracture
 Tenacity, Sp. Gravity, Hardness
 Color, Streak, and Luster
 Electrical and Magnetic Properties
3. Optical properties of minerals
 Reflection and Refraction
 Index of refraction, Relief
 Isotropic crystal and Roche line method
 Uniaxial crystals
 Biaxial crystals
 Extinction angle
 Birefringence
4. Chemistry of Minerals
 Principles of crystal structure of minerals
 Coordination principle
 Radius ratio
 Relation of radius ratio and coordination number of ions as rigid sphere.
 Lattice energy of crystals
 Isomorphism, Polymorphism and atomic substitution
 Basic chemical composition of magma and igneous rocks
 Structure of minerals
 Silica
 Feldspars
 Felspathoids
 pyroxene group
 amphibole group
 oblique group
 Nature of silicate melt
 Pyroxene -Plagioclase system
 Magmatic crystallization
 Minor elements of magmatic crystallization
5. Identification of common rock forming minerals

B. Petrology
1. Nomenclature and classification of igneous rocks
 Chemical and Quasi chemical classification
 Textural classification
 Qualitative mineral classification
 Calcalic-basic igneous rocks
*Unofficial and intended for personal use only
SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

 Alkali-rich basic igneous rocks

 Ultrabasic rocks and lamprophyres
 Intermediate rocks
 Acid igneous rocks
 Pyroclastic rocks
2. Metamorphism and metamorphic rocks
 Metamorphism and metasomatism
 Conditions controlling metamorphism
 Types of metamorphism
 Thermodynamics of metamorphism
 Phase rule in metamorphism
 Chemical composition of metamorphic rocks
 Mineralogy of metamorphism
 Stability of minerals
 Accessory elements or minerals
 Facies Principle and Mineral Transformation
 Petrographic criteria and products of metamorphism
 Characteristics of metamorphic Fabric
 Basis of classification of metamorphic rocks
 Textural class of metamorphic rocks
 Chemical classes of metamorphic rocks
 Hornfelses and slates
 Cataclasites, mylomites and phyllomites
 Slates, phyllites and low metamorph schists
 High grade schists, amphibolites, granulites and eclogites

3. Sedimentary Rocks
 Geochemical process and sedimentation
 Chemical and Mineralogical composition of sedimentary rocks
 Physiochemical factors in sedimentary colloids and colloidal processes
 Products of sedimentation

*Unofficial and intended for personal use only

SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

DAY 3 APPLIED GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES (30%)

A. Ore Deposits (Economic Mineral Deposits and their Occurrences)

1. Definitions/Descriptions
2. Metallogenic Provinces and Epochs
3. Ore genesis and concepts
 Mode of formation of mineral deposits:
 Association of ore forming mineral
 Igneous
 metamorphic
 sedimentary
 Chemical depositional controls of mineral deposits.
 Physical depositional controls of mineral deposits.
 Classification of economic mineral deposits.
 Recognition of associated alterations - hypogene, supergene, cappings, wallrock alterations, etc.
 Ores guides. Mineralogy and petrology as related to association and genesis of ore deposits.
 Use of crystallography, X-ray method, Xray fluorescence, electron microprobe, differential
thermal analysis, etc.
 Fluid inclusion studies.
 Polished section and mineragraphic study.
4. Geologic features of various economic mineral deposits useful for exploration
5. The examinee should be able to classify and identify the following:
 Genetic types of Philippine mineral deposits:
 Gold - Vein: Placer: Contact Metasomatic; Disseminated and/or Porphyry
 Iron - Contact metasomatic, Sand deposits, laterite deposits, bedded sedimentary
deposits,spring deposits, bog deposits
 Chromite - Primary podiform chromite deposits; Residual/transported deposits
 Nickel - Primary nickel sulphide deposits.Epithermal deposits, Laterite deposits
 Manganese - Primary and secondary manganese deposits
 Copper - Porphyry deposits: Vein types; Kuroko-type; Cyprus-type; Besshi-type; contact
metasomatic;
 Lead and zinc - Vein type
 Molybdenum - Contact mesatomatic; porphyry type; Vein type
 Economic (Commercial) Classifications:
 Precious Metals - Examples: Gold and silver
 Iron and Ferroalloys - Examples: Iron, chromite, nickel, and manganese
 Non-ferrous - Examples: Copper, lead and zinc, molybdenum, aluminum, mercury
 Fertilizer Minerals- Examples: Guano, phosphate rocks, limestone, dolomite, magnesite,
peat
 Industrial and manufacturing materials - Examples: Asbestos, barite, bentomite,
diatomite, feldspar, gypsum, perlite, silica, cement raw materials, etc.
 Structural and building materials - Examples: Marble, pumice and pumicite, rock
aggregates, rock asphalt, sand and gravel
 Energy mineral resources - Examples: Hydrocarbons, coal, geothermal energy,
 Radioactive minerals
 Gemstone and decorative materials - Examples: Jade, jasper, tektite, obsidian, petrifield
wood.
6. Classification of Reserves and Resources
*Unofficial and intended for personal use only
SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

 Current classification/definitions/guiding principles

 Significant aspects of existing definitions
 Ore reserve and resource calculation
 Categories and aspects
 Quantitative aspects.
7. Exploration for Mineral Deposits
 General definition/descriptions of different phases of exploration
 Regional, reconnaissance and detailed exploration activities
 Organization of an exploration program
 Data Compilation and Preparation of Base Maps
8. Exploration methods
 Search for economic mineral deposits.
 Mapping, photogeology
 geophysical and geochemical surveys
 alteration studies
 structural analysis
 recognition of path finders, etc.
 Primary target investigation.
 Evaluation of outcrops
 surface assessment work
 sampling, assays
 drilling, core logging, etc.
 Interpretation and modeling.
 Case studies.
9. Organization Exploration Programs
 Organize an Exploration Program
 Objective setting/Exploration strategy
 Setting financial goals
 Scanning and target generation
 Risk evaluation
 Timetable
 Exploration logistics
 Information management
 Legal aspects
 Environment and the ecosystem
 Drilling, Sampling and Estimation of Reserves:
 Design and financing of drilling program
 Diamond drilling - core logging
 Estimation of ore reserves – Sampling optimization and assaying: Estimation practices,
geostatistical estimation guides.
 Mining and Metallurgical considerations

B. Geophysics
1. Geophysical methods in mineral exploration (Definitions and Principles)
 gravity
 magnetic
 electrical
 seismic

*Unofficial and intended for personal use only

SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

 radiometric
 Satellite remote sensing, etc.
2. Geologic and economic considerations.
 Classifications and scientific basis of geophysical methods.
 Technique of application
 Specific factors governing application and choice of geophysical methods.
 Field application/data interpretation.
 Economics of methods.

C. Geochemistry
1. Types of surveys.
2. Identification of primary and secondary environments.
 Primary environment deals with:
 Distribution of elements in minerals and igneous rocks.
 primary haloes and primary dispersion
 pathfinders
 geochemical provinces
 geochemical associations
 Secondary environment involves:
 chemical weathering
 physical weathering
 environmental factors affecting weathering
 soil
 application of pH & Eh values
 absorption
 mobility in secondary environment
 ground water, river water, lake water and sediments
3. Actual application of field methods for stream sediments, soil, rocks and water and lake sediments.
 Orientation survey
 Identification of primary and secondary dispersion patterns both in regional and detailed surveys.
 Vegetation Survey - geobotany and biogeochemistry
 Analytical methods - collection and preparation of samples for analysis
 Statistical treatment of geochemical data - Background values, regional variation, correlation
between elements.
 Classification of samples, anomaly detection and interpretation, etc.
4. Computer application in geochemical exploration
 Design of exploration programs
 Data collection
 Data reduction and interpretation

D. Environment Protection
1. Social and political context
2. Geological and engineering perspective
3. Regulatory objectives
4. Corporate strategies

*Unofficial and intended for personal use only

SYLLABI IN GEOLOGY COURSES
Based from PRC Board of Geology Official Syllabi

E. Exercise in the Preparation of a Feasibility Study:

1. The merit of implementing an exploration program and project development on a scale which will provide
sufficient information to indicate clearly whether the deposit can be made commercially viable.
2. Objective of a feasibility study/corporate policy
3. Date collection/outline layout
4. Geological and engineering aspects
5. Economic aspects
6. Sensitivity analysis
7. Risk analysis
8. Financial strategies
9. Decision making

F. Petroleum Geology
1. Origin and petroleum generation
2. Regional geological framework
3. Identification and classification of depositional environments and reservoirs.
4. Lithostratigraphic and structural controls favorable for petroleum deposition and accumulation
5. Migration study
6. Seismic investigation of target structure/interpretation
7. Well and log evaluation
8. Prognosis of producing Palawan offshore wells
9. Petroleum geochemistry

G. Technical Report Writing

 The examinee should convey a clear and coherent level of communication skill and proficiency.

*Unofficial and intended for personal use only