OFO No:

What is a Geotechnician or Geotechnologist?

Geotechnicians/Geotechnologists are civil engineering scientists who study the earth’s crust to determine the natural resources of the area or to locate building materials for large constructions. They use very sophisticated, technical instruments, satellite and aerial photography, computers, drills etc.
 

They can specialise in 5 different areas, namely:

• Exploration Geology: 

These Geotechnicians research and explore new natural resources. They look for both precious and semi-precious stones, basic metal, fossil fuels, building material or even look for underground water supplies.

• Geophysics: 

The main aspect of this field is to evaluate the bedrock of a large construction or civil construction sites so that the required re-enforcing can be applied. Deep-drilling, rock and soil sampling and analysis will take place to determine these factors. 

• Mining: 

Geotechnicians in this filed are usually employed by large mines. They will work both above and underground collecting info on rock surfaces, soil samples etc, which will aid them in locating precious metals, ores or even predicting hazardous conditions. 

• Geohydrology:

The science of finding new water resources. It also involves finding suitable waste-disposal sites and evaluating pollution in underground water supplies.   

• Engineering Geology: 

Geotechnicians generally work on large civil constructions (see Civil Engineering for more info) – where their research into geological conditions of the site at hand will assist in the design of the foundations and where re-enforcing will take place. This field may also find Geotechnicians locating building materials which can be used on site.

What does a Geotechnician or Geotechnologist do?

• sets up technical instruments used to collect data
• drillsand takes soil samples and collects rock samples
• reads aerial photographs
• takes measurements, makes calculations, writes detailed notes
• researches information from all relevant sources
• analyses information and solves problems
• captures data on computers
• draws up geological maps
• processes research material, prepares notes and reports, etc
• keeps up-to-date with relevant technology and relevant information
• communicates and adviss with design teams, supervisors, project managers etc etc

Are you . . . ?

• interested in geology?
• prepared to work outdoors?
• physically fit?
• very good at mathematics and physical science?
• technically aware?
• computer literate?
• observant?
• detail orientated?
• responsible?
• willing to work in remote places?
• willing to work and live, at times, in harsh weather conditions?
• analytical?
• able to work well on your own in remote places?
• a team player?
• willing to work in dangerous environments, like in a mine?

How do I become a Geotechnician or Geotechnologist?

Students considering a career in geotechnology may consider starting with a National Diploma (Nat Dip) course in civil engineering at one of the Universities of Technology, then specialise in a particular field, thereafter with a Bachelors of Technology in Engineering (BTech Eng). 

See below for examples:

• UNISA

BTech Eng in Urban Engineering
BTech Eng in Construction Management
BTech Eng in Structural Engineering
BTech Eng in Environmental Engineering
BTech Eng in Water Engineering

• VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

B Tech Eng Civil (Transportation)
B Tech Eng Civil (Water)
B Tech Eng Civil (Structural)
B Tech Eng Civil (Geotechnical)
B Tech Eng Civil (Construction Management)
B Tech Eng Civil (Urban Engineering)
They also offer Masters in Technology and Doctorate inTechnology study options in this field.

• CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE

N. Dip. / B.Tech: Civil Engineering

• CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

National Diploma in in Civil Engineering then:
BTech Eng in Structural Engineering
BTech Eng in Urban Engineering
BTech Eng Construction Management
BTech Eng inTransportation Engineering
BTEch Eng in Water Engineering

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

National Diploma in Civil Engineering
BTech Eng in Construction Management
BTech Eng in Environmental Engineering
BTech Eng in Geotechnical Engineering
BTech Eng in Structural Engineering
BTech Eng in Transportation
BTech Eng in Urban Engineering
BTech Eng in Water Engineering
Masters in Technology
Doctorate in Technology

Minimum requirements: 

Each institution will have its own requirements – check with your institution of choice for more details. 

Compulsory Subjects:

Mathematics and Physical Sciences 

Recommended Subjects:

Geography

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Land Surveyor or Civil Engineer

Is becoming a Geotechnician or Geotechnologist the right choice for me.

OFO No: 216502

Other names for a Surveyor:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Your career as a Land Surveyor

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Land Surveyor?

A Land Surveyor is a professional person who surveys the land (townships and farms), buildings and roads to determine existing boundaries or to create new ones.  These boundaries determine the rights to that land or property.  Land Surveyors play a key role in land development and reform and work closely with town planners, architects and engineers.

Land Surveyors are most commonly seen with technical measuring instruments called theodolites.Land Surveyors can work for themselves and contract out, work for government or work for a land surveying or construction company.

What does a Land Surveyor do?

• researches projects and does field studies before measuring takes place
• takes precise measurements
• documents elevation changes and heights
• double-checks measurements
• determines borders and boundaries
• travels between sites
• documents measurements and captures info on computers
• works out detailed mathematical formulas
• prepares plans to shows boundaries with measurements including distance and heights
• works with GPS devices, scanning tools and other technical instruments

Are you . . . ?

• interested in construction?
• keen to work mainly outdoors?
• observant?
• accurate?
• detail orientated?
• computer literate?
• mathematically minded?
• a team player?
• able to work long hours on your own, sometimes in rural areas?
• fit and active?
• methodical and organised?
• reliable?

How do I become a Land Surveyor?

PATH 1

Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying

• University of Cape Town
• University of KZN

• 300 work days of training in workplace after qualifying
• Designation: Only fully qualified surveyors may use the title: Professional Land Surveyor

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL SURVEYORS (PLATO)

Supplies a list of all the institutions and contact people of where you can study Land Surveying

http://www.plato.org.za/5studywhere.php

All qualified surveyors must be registered with PLATO.

http://www.plato.org.za/

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Agriculture Food Scientist or Forester

Is becoming a Land Surveyor the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 211401

Other names for Geologist:

• Engineering Geologist
• Environmental Geologist
• Exploration Geologist
• Field Geologist
• Geochemist
• Geological Auditor
• Geological Oceanographer
• Geological Planner
• Geomorphologist
• Geoscientist
• Hydrogeologist
• Marine Geologist
• Mine Geologist
• Palaeontologist
• Petrologist
• Structural Geologist
• Volcanologist

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – So you want to become a Geologist?

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Geologist?

A Geologist is passionate about the structure, physical characteristics and composition of the earth. Their studies are used in:

• mineral exploration (mining)
• civil engineering
• environmental protection
• earth rehabilitation programmes (after mining etc)

Some Geologists may specialise (for example):

• Geochemistry
• Oceanography
• Glaciology
• Hydrology
• Tectonics
• Volcanology etc

What does a Geologist do?

• often works in remote places
• studies composition and structures of earth’s crust
• examines rocks, minerals etc
• attempts to locate oil, gas, mineral deposits etc
• uses high tech measuring equipment
• assists engineers with information regarding land to be used for dams, road, tunnesl etc
• prepares reports, charts and diagrams etc

Are you . . . ?

• interested in the earth and how it made up?
• interested in science?
• interested in working mostly outdoors?
• observant?
• reliable?
• inquisitive?
• willing to work in, sometimes, remote places?
• willing to work in all weather conditions?

How do I become a Geologist?

You will need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
• North West University
• Rhodes University
• University of Fort Hare
• University of Johannesburg
• University of KZN
• University of Limpopo
• University of Pretoria
• University of SA (UNISA)
• University of Free State
• University of Western Cape
• University of Witwatersrand

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Green Builder or Climate Change Analyst

Is becoming a Geologist the right career choice for me

Other Careers under Geology & Geological Sciences

CLICK HERE

for more info about these different careers

Other Careers under Geology & Geological Sciences

CLICK HERE

for more info about these different careers