M.Sc.
Applied Geology
Note: The syllabus
prescribed for the entrance test has been divided into fifteen units. Each unit
carries a weightage of four marks. Paper setters are required to set four
multiple choice type questions with only one correct or most appropriate answer
separately for each unit, giving uniform representation to the whole syllabus
contained therein.
UNIT-1: PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to the science of geology, its relation with
other branches of sciences and history of geology. Contribution of physics and
chemistry in the development of ideas about earth. Various geospheres. Physical
properties and chemical composition of the earth and earth’s crust.
Geochronology and age of earth. Relative and absolute techniques for age determination.
Introduction to minerals and rocks and minerals Rocks as natural mineral aggregates,
types of rocks, Preliminary knowledge about the most common rock forming and economic
minerals. Geology as record of history of Earth; (a) Fossils b) Mineralogy and
the texture; (c) Structures; (d) Palaeogeography (e) Paleoclimate. Surface
relief of the earth. Exogenous and endogenous process. Weathering and agents of
weathering, Products of weathering. Geological work of river erosion,
transportation, deposition and related features. Types of drainage patterns.
Erosional and depositional geological work by the groundwater. Glaciers:
Definition and types, geological work of glacial erosion, transport and
deposition related features. Aeolian processes: Wind erosion and deposition
features. Oceans: Topography of sea floor - Continental shelves, slope, abyssal
plains, Ocean ridges, and ocean deeps, submarine valleys, canyons, deep-sea
trenches and guyots. Oceanic erosion: Wave action and related features related
features. Marine deposition: submarine bars, ridges and the features of
shoreline. Coral reefs: types fringing, barrier and atolls. Epeirogenesis and orogenesis.
Volcanoes: types, distribution and eruptional features and products.
UNIT-2: GEOMOERPHOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction & fundamental concepts. Catastrophism,
uniformitarianism, cycle of erosion, and base level of erosion. Mass wasting:
Definition, factors favoring mass wasting- Lithology, stratigraphy, structure,
topography, climate, organisms. Slope flowage: creep, solifluction; rapid
flowage - earth flow, mudflow, debris flow, avalanche, landslides, and slumps.
Karst topography - Terra Rosa, lapis, sink holes, blind valleys, Caverns,
Stalactites, stalagmites, natural bridges and tunnels. Fault scarps, cuesta,
hogback, horst, graben, structural domes, inversion of topography. Structural
landforms: humid, sub-humid, arid, semi-arid. Soils: Soil profiles, Soil types
of India.
UNIT-3: STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Basic concepts of field geology: Maps; Topographic and
geological maps. Dip and strike of stratified rocks, horizontal, inclined beds.
True dip and apparent dip. Plunge and pitch of linear structures. Outcrop
pattern of horizontal beds. Vertical beds and inclined beds, inliers and outliers.
True thickness and vertical thickness. Width of the outcrop, relation between
true thickness and the width of outcrop. Nature of the problem of overturned
strata. Use of different sedimentary features and paleontological methods for
determination of the overturned strata. Mechanical principles Introduction
about force, couple, stress & strain. Stress; definition of force and
stress. Normal and shear stress. Basic concept of stress ellipse. Strain
definition and computation of changes in line length. Basic concept of strain
ellipse. Folds: Definition of folds, inflation, Classification of folds. Types
of folds. Unconformities: Definition, types of unconformities. Criteria for
recognition of unconformities. Concordant and discordant plutons. Joints -
Definition, attitude of joints, joint sets and joint system. Geometrical
classifications of joints. Faults: Definition, attitude of fault planes and
symbols. Components of fault. Classification of faults. Criteria for recognition
of faults. Lineation and foliation.
UNIT-4: GEOTECTONICS 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction; Features and divisions of Earth's crust;
Physical characters of continental and oceans, continental shelf, slope and
abyssal plains, island arcs, rift valleys, mid-ocean ridges, mountain chains.
Important concepts about Earth dynamics: outline description of Contraction, Expansion,
Plate tectonics and Surge tectonic models. Plate tectonics - basic concepts and
definitions, types of plate margins, important characters of plate margins.
Mechanism of plate movement; Mantle plumes vis-à-vis island chains. Plate
tectonics in relation to the distribution seismic, volcanic and island arc
belts. Plate tectonic models for the origin of mountain belts: Pacific type and
Andean type. Some fundamental problems with Plate tectonics – Antipodal positions
of continents and ocean basins, geographic restriction of island arcs, size of
ocean basins vs. possible size of mantle convection, variable depth of asthenosphere,
absence of subduction zones around Antarctic plate, absence of required
boundary between North and South American plates. Tectonics of the Indian subcontinent:
Tectonic divisions (Extrapeninsula; Indo-Gangetic Plain and Peninsular Shield),
their tectonic characters and major structural trends. Northward movement of
the Indian Plate and the origin and evolution of the Himalayas and its thrust
belts. Tectonic models for the origin and evolution of the Indo- Gangetic
Plain. Seismicity of the Indian Sub-continent.
UNIT-5: STRATIGRAPHY 4X1=4 Marks
Stratigraphic classification and terminology, Principles
of Stratigraphy. Geological timescale, stratigraphic correlation, imperfection
of geological record. Stratigraphic knowledge of the following Precambrian
geological System/Groups of India with special reference to their classification,
distribution, lithology and economic importance in their localities: Dharwar, Aravalli,
Cuddapa and Vindhyan. Stratigraphy of the following Phanerozoic geological System/Groups
with special reference to their lithology and fossil content: Paleozoic succession
of Kashmir. Triassic of Spiti, Jurassic of Kuchh, Cretaceous of Trichnapalli. Siwaliks
and Karewa of Kashmir.
UNIT-6: PALEONTOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Elementary ideas about origin of life, Evolution of the
life through ages. Preliminary idea about faunal succession. Classification of
organisms. Fossils, their characters, conditions necessary for fossilization;
types of preservation and occurrence. Application of Paleontology. Linnaean or
Binomial code of nomenclature of organisms. Elementary concept of vertebrates Paleontology
with special reference to Siwaliks vertebrate fauna. Introduction to micropaleontology
and microfossils and their application. Introduction to micropaleontology and
microfossils and their application. Introduction to Paleobotany with special
reference to Gondwana plant fossils. Theories of evolution and palaeontological
data on evolution. Detailed morphology, classification, geological and
geographical distribution of the following: 1) Brachiopoda (2) Bivalvia (3)
Gastropoda (4) Cephalopoda (5) Graptoloida (6) Anthozoa (7) Echinoidea (8)
Trilobita. Elementary ideas about Foraminifora, Ostracoda, Radiolarian and Conodonts.
Evolution of Man, Horse & Elephant. Causes of migration and dispersal.
Extinction of organisms with special reference different hypothesis for the
extinction of dinosaurs. Introduction to palynology and its applications.
Application of paleontological data in paleogeographic reconstructions.
Paleontological evidence in favor of continental drift.
UNIT-7: CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to crystallography, geometrical nature of
order of crystals. Translation vectors, planar and space lattices. Concept of
point group and 32 classes. Morphology of crystals; Definition of crystal.
Face, edge and solid angle. Law of constancy of interfacial angles. Axial system
and axial ratios. Parameter systems of Weiss, Miller indices. Law of Rationality
of indices. 48 symmetry forms; typical crystals showing combination of forms.
Study of normal classes of crystal systems {vis-à-vis crystallographic axes,
symmetry elements & general 4
forms). Crystal growth and twining. Growth of crystals from solutions and from
a melt under controlled conditions, crystal growth in open fractures, solution
cavities and vesicles. Twining in crystals: Types and causes, different twin
laws. Crystallinity, habit and forms of minerals. Crystal chemistry of
minerals: Concept of crystal structure of minerals; dimorphism, polymorphism
and pseudomorohism; isomorphism and solid solution.
UNIT-8: MINERALOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to mineralogy: definition of mineral, scope
of determinative mineralogy, examples of rock forming (silicate) minerals and
ore forming (oxide/sulphide) minerals. Scalar and vector properties of
minerals, important rock-forming minerals: their classification; Physical and optical
characters and mode of occurrence of the characteristic members from following groups:
Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Amphibole, Pyroxene, Olivine, Garnet, Chlorite and Carbonate.
Mineral optics: Elements of optics. Optics of isotopic medium - refractive
index, Snell's law of critical angle, anisotropic media. Polarization and interference
of light. Polaroid, polarizing microscope-construction and use. Use of
accessory plates. Pleochroism and Birefringence. Optical indicatrix: Uniaxial
and Biaxial indicatrix. Behavior of light in uniaxial and biaxial crystals.
Optic sign. Optical properties of minerals. Interference colors. Michel Levy chart
and its use in determining thickness, path-difference, birefringence or order
of interference color.
UNIT-9: IGNEOUS & SEDIMENTARY
PETROLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to Igneous Petrology, Difference between
Petrology, petrography and petrogenesis. Texture and structure of igneous
rocks, Composition and constitution of magma: Definition of magma, composition
of magma, physico-chemical constitution of magma, primar
magma. Processes resulting in diversity in igneous rocks:
Fractionation and differentiation, Assimilation. Nomenclature and description
of common igneous rocks: Granite, pegmatite, syenite, diorite, gabbro,
granodiorite, norite, anorthosite, peridotite, pyroxenite, dunite, lamrophyry,
nepheline synite, granite porphyry, diorite porphyry, dolerite, rhyolite,
rhachyte, dacite, andesite, basalt, phonolite. Classification of igneous rocks:
Principles of classification, CIPW classifications, and tabular classification.
Introduction to sedimentary petrology, Sedimentary rocks and processes involved
in formation of sedimentary rocks. Texture and structure of sedimentary rocks.
Classification of sedimentary rocks: Folk's classifications of carbonate rocks.
Classification of sandstones, greywacke and arkose.
UNIT-10: METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY &
GEOCHEMISTRY 4X1=4 Marks
Definition of
metamorphism Controls of metamorphism, Types of metamorphism, anataxis,palingenesis,
migmatization. Texture and structure of metamorphic rocks. Nomenclature and description
of metamorphic rocks: Phyllite, slate, schist, gneiss, amphibolite, marble,
quartzite, granulite, eclogite. Introduction to geochemistry: Basic knowledge
about crystal chemistry. Colloids in geological systems: kinds of colloids, ion
exchanges, and geological evidence for earlier colloids. Cosmic abundance of
elements; Silicate structures. Gold Schmidt's geochemical classification of
elements. Distribution of the elements in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary
rocks.
UNIT-11: ORE GEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Ore minerals and gangue. Examples of common ore minerals.
Concept of metallogenic epochs and provinces. Classification of mineral
deposits- genetic and associational parameters. Ore–forming fluids, means of
transport and minerals deposits. Pegmatite and pegmatite deposits. Deposits of
mica with special reference to India. Oceanic mineral resources (manganese
nodules). Elementary idea of hydrothermal deposits with reference to: a)
Porphyry copper deposit b) Vein deposits of tin and tungsten. Ores formed by metamorphic
processes. Supergene enrichment deposits. Mode of occurrence of following minerals
deposits in India: Banded iron formation, Gold, Thorium deposits. Placer &
residual deposits.
UNIT-12: FUEL GEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to fuel geology, Origin of petroleum -
Organic versus inorganic theories; transformation of organic matter into
petroleum. Limiting conditions of petroleum occurrence. Reservoir rocks -
definition and types. Source rocks - definition and types. Reservoir traps and classification.
Migration and accumulation of petroleum. Coal - Introduction; Two principal periods
of coal formation; Constituents of coal: Rank and grade of coal; Varieties of
coal. Origin of coal.
UNIT-13: HYDROGEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to hydrogeology: origin, occurrence and
distribution of Groundwater; springs and seepages. Zone of aeration and
saturation. Water table, perched water table, porosity and Permeability,
artisan water. Groundwater movement – unconfined, confined and perched aquifer
and its types. Hydrological properties of rocks - porosity, permeability,
specific yield, specific retention, hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity and
storativity. Hydrological cycle and its components. Hydrological classification
of geological formations. Fundamentals of groundwater exploration – geological
and geophysical methods. Water quality standards for drinking purposes
UNIT-14: GEOPHYSICS 4X1=4 Marks
Introduction to geophysics and domains of Geophysics;
Spheroidal shape of earth, magnetic field of the earth. Exploring Earth's
interior with geophysical techniques. The utility of geophysics. Earth's
thermal history, Thermal gradient of the earth. Convection currents. Gravitational
Field: The concept of gravity; its variation with latitude, altitude,
topography, and subsurface density variations. Gravity Instruments: Pendulum,
gravimeters, ship-borne measurements. Units of gravity, gravity anomaly -
definition, types (Free- air, Bouguer), local and regional concepts. Use of
gravity method for locating mineral resources and petroleum reservoirs.
Detection of cavities at engineering sites. Isostasy: Observation; Pratt and
Airy schemes of the isostatic compensation, elastic crust on viscous mantle.
Seismology: Earthquake and effects of an earthquake - seismic waves and damage
to structures and natural objects. Seismographs. Basic features of seismograms;
Magnitude and intensity of an earthquake. Types of earthquake - tectonic,
volcanic and manmade. Tectonic earthquake and creation of new faults. Elastic
rebound theory - statement and geodetic evidence. Earthquake location: Focus,
epicenter and hypocenter; Earthquake belts; Focal depth of earthquakes. Earthquake
focal mechanisms. Seismic wave reflection and refraction. Structure of the
earth. Earthquake prediction and seismic gap theory.
UNIT-15: REMOTE SENSING & SOCIATAL
GEOLOGY 4X1=4 Marks
Remote sensing: Concept and foundation of RS
(Electromagnetic spectrum). Overview of Remote Sensing technology. Landsat,
IRS, ASTER, MODIS. Interaction of Electromagnetic waves with Earth surface
features (water, soil, rocks, vegetation) - Introduction. Application of remote
sensing: geomorphological mapping, geological hazards assessment, hydrology and
land use planning. Introduction to GIS and its applications. Societal Geology:
Fundamental concept (environment, population needs and planning). Mineral
resources vis-à-vis population needs environmental impact of exploration and
processing of mineral resources on air, soil and surface and subsurface water.
Water supply and water use - human, agriculture and industrial. Societal
implications of major hydroelectric, nuclear and industrial projects. Earth processes
and geological hazards - Introduction. River flooding: magnitude and frequency
of floods, urbanization and flooding, nature and extent of flood hazard.
Landslides: Slope stability, causes of landslides, anthropogenic activity and
landslides, prevention and correction of landslides. Earthquakes: Scale of
intensity related damage, preventive majors. Volcanoes: Effects of volcanic
activity, prediction of volcanic activity, adjustment to and perception of volcanic
hazard. Coastal hazards: tropical cyclones, tsunamis, and coastal erosion.
