CSS Syllabus — Geology

Total Marks: 100

Part – I — 50 Marks

I. Introduction to Physical Geology

• Introduction and scope of Geology

• Importance of Geology and its relationship with other sciences

• Earth as a member of the Solar System

• Origin, age, composition and internal structure of the Earth

• Introduction to rocks and minerals

• Weathering and erosion

• Isostasy

• Geological Time Scale

II. Stratigraphy and Paleontology

• Principles of stratigraphy

• Laws of superposition and faunal succession

• Geological Time Scale and its divisions

• Classification and nomenclature of stratigraphic units:

  • Lithostratigraphic units

  • Biostratigraphic units

  • Chronostratigraphic units

• Introduction to fossils and their significance

• Modes of fossilization

• Study of morphology, range and broad classification of major invertebrate phyla

• Introduction to microfossils

• Introduction to Paleobotany

• Introduction and classification of major vertebrates

• Introduction to Micropaleontology

III. Mineralogy

• Classification of minerals

• Study of internal structure

• Polymorphism and isomorphism

• Paragenesis

• Physical and optical properties of common silicate and non-silicate mineral groups

• Introduction to crystallography

• Elements of symmetry

• Study of the normal classes of crystallographic systems

IV. Structural Geology and Tectonics

• Stress-strain concepts

• Factors controlling the mechanical behavior of materials

• Folds, faults, joints and foliation:

  • Terminology

  • Classification

  • Relationship with bedding

• Lineation

• Unconformity

• Plate tectonics theory

• Geological evidence for continental drift

• Sea-floor spreading

• Oceanic ridges

• Continental rifts

• Intra-oceanic islands

• Hot spots and mantle plumes

• Wilson Cycle

• Tectonic framework of Pakistan

V. Petrology and Petrography

Sedimentary Rocks

• Introduction, classification and description of sedimentary rocks

• Origin, transportation and deposition of sediments

• Texture of sedimentary rocks

• Sedimentary structures:

  • Classification

  • Morphology

  • Significance

Igneous Rocks

• Composition, origin, differentiation and evolution of magma

• Classification of igneous rocks

• Modes of occurrence and types of extrusive rocks

• Texture and structure of igneous rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

• Introduction to metamorphism

• Types of metamorphism

• Grades, zones and facies of metamorphism

• Metamorphic diffusion and differentiation

• Metamorphism in relation to plate tectonics

• Differentiation between metamorphism and metasomatism

Optical Mineralogy and Petrography

• Introduction to the polarizing microscope

• Optical properties of opaque and non-opaque minerals:

  • In plane-polarized light

  • Under crossed Nicols

  • Metallic minerals under reflected light

• Description of optical properties of common rock-forming minerals

Part – II — 50 Marks

I. Introduction to Geophysics

• Definition of Geophysics and its relationship with other sciences

• Classification and brief description of various branches of Geophysics, including:

  • Seismology

  • Geomagnetism

  • Geoelectricity

  • Tectonophysics

  • Gravimetry

  • Geothermy

  • Geodesy

• Introduction to various geophysical techniques for the exploration of:

  • Mineral deposits

  • Oil and gas

  • Subsurface water

  • Engineering works

II. Sequence Stratigraphy

• Introduction, history, concept and significance of sequence stratigraphy

• Data sources:

  • Seismic reflections

  • Outcrops

  • Well logs

  • Cores

  • Seismic facies

• Sea-level changes, their causes and effects

• Accommodation

• Eustatic and relative sea-level curves

• Hierarchy of sequence-stratigraphic elements

• Types of sequences and systems tracts

III. Petroleum Geology

• Nature and classification of petroleum hydrocarbons

• Origin, migration and accumulation of petroleum

• Source sediments

• Reservoir rocks

• Trapping mechanisms for oil and gas

• Prospecting and exploration of oil and gas

• Reservoir characteristics

• Drive mechanisms

• Energy and pressure maintenance

• Secondary and enhanced recovery

• Introduction to sedimentary basins of Pakistan

IV. Engineering and Environmental Geology

Engineering Geology

• Rock and soil mechanics and their applications in civil engineering

• Rock mass characteristics

• Geotechnical studies of rocks and soils

• Geological factors and strength of rocks

• Geological factors in relation to the construction of:

  • Buildings and foundations

  • Roads and highways

  • Tunnels

  • Dams

  • Bridges

• Application of geophysical methods for site investigation

• Construction materials

• Mass movements, their causes and prevention

Environmental Geology

• Introduction to Environmental Geology

• Management of natural resources

• Global climatic changes

• Environmental controls for:

  • Erosion

  • Desertification

  • Coastal degradation

• Geological hazards and their remedial measures:

  • Floods

  • Landslides

  • Earthquakes

  • Tsunamis

  • Volcanoes

  • Glaciers

  • Shoreline processes

• Clean sources of energy

• Industrial pollution

• Solid and liquid waste disposal

• Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)

V. Mineral and Energy Resources

• Introduction to geological exploration and prospecting

• Brief description of:

  • Hydrocarbons

  • Coal

  • Gemstones

  • Copper

  • Lead

  • Zinc

  • Iron

  • Gold

  • Chromite

  • Manganese

  • Salt

  • Gypsum

  • Bauxite

  • Sulphur

  • Barite

  • Fluorite

  • Clays

  • Phosphorite

  • Building and dimension stones

  • Industrial rocks and minerals

  • Radioactive minerals and rocks

• Economic mineral deposits in Pakistan, with special reference to the above resources

• Origin, occurrence and depositional environments of coal

• Coal constitution and kinds of coal

• Coal rank, grade and calorific value

• Coal deposits of Pakistan, with special reference to Thar Coal

• Geothermal energy resources of Pakistan

VI. Economic and Applied Geology

• Metallic and non-metallic mineral resources of Pakistan

• Mineral-based industries

• Overview of Reko Diq Copper

• Radioactive minerals and their occurrences in Pakistan

• Gemstones of Pakistan

• Geology of:

  • Reservoirs

  • Dams

  • Highways

  • Tunnels

• Major natural hazards and their impact on the environment, with special reference to Pakistan

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