Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Geology and Mining Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Geology and Mining Technology is a programme that combines geological science with mining engineering and mineral processing. Offered at JKUAT, Technical University of Kenya, University of Nairobi and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in mining, mineral processing and geological technology.

The curriculum covers physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, economic geology, mining engineering, mine design, blasting technology, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, mine ventilation, mine surveying, environmental management in mining, mine safety, GIS, computer applications in mining, research methods and a research project. Students develop geological and mining engineering skills.

Kenya's mining sector development, mineral exploration and the government's focus on extractive industries create demand for geology and mining technology graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, mine visits, fieldwork, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as mining engineers, geological engineers, mineral processing engineers, mine surveyors, blasting engineers, mining consultants, mine safety officers, exploration geologists and mining project managers. They work in mining companies, mineral processing plants, consulting firms, government, research institutions and cement companies.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 336,600
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Physical Geology
Mineralogy
Economic Geology
Mining Engineering
Mine Design
Blasting Technology
Mineral Processing
Extractive Metallurgy
Mine Surveying
Mine Safety

Modules

10 in the programme

Physical Geology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Earth processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Mineralogy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Mineral science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Economic Geology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Mineral deposits. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Mining Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Mining methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinat...
Mine Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Mine planning and design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Blasting Technology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Explosives and blasting. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Mineral Processing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Ore processing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinat...
Extractive Metallurgy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Metal extraction. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Mine Safety
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Mining safety management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Mine Safety
Safety management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Blasting Engineering
Explosives engineering. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Mineral Processing
Ore processing technology. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Mine Design
Mine planning. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending mining and geology lectures, working in geology laboratories, studying mine design, researching mineral processing, visiting mines, learning blasting technology, using mining software, and working on mining engineering projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's mining sector is developing with new projects
Specialised skills with good earning potential
Combines geology with practical mining engineering

Against it

Fieldwork in remote mining areas
Limited number of universities offering the programme
Job market depends on mining sector investment

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public337k to 337k

337k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology337k at Taita Taveta University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT & TTU KSH336.6K/yr KUCCPS (educationnewshub). Private: unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Mining companies may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in engineering
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Diploma in mining, geology, engineering or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Mathematics
B-
Physics
B-
Chemistry
B-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Lab and mine visits
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at JKUAT, TUK, UoN and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Engineers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of engineers in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Geological Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Geological engineering
Mineral Processing Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Mineral processing
Mining Consultant
Low demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 450,000
Mining consulting
Mining Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 400,000
Mining engineering
Mine Surveyor
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Mine surveying

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as mining engineers, mineral processing engineers and mine surveyors in mining companies, mineral processing plants and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
Engineering softwarePrimary
Signal processing and communication simulation.
Atoll
Network planning
Radio network planning and optimisation.
Wireshark
Network analysis
Network protocol analysis.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mining technology is just about digging holes.
The programme covers geology, mine design, mineral processing, safety and environmental management.
There are no mining jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's mining sector is developing with base metal, rare earth and industrial mineral projects.
Mining is dangerous and not worth pursuing.
Modern mining emphasises safety, technology and environmental management.
This is the same as geology.
The programme combines geology with mining engineering and mineral processing technology.