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COLLEGE OF BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY
CHAIRMANS SPEECH: ADRESS GIVEN TO FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: ACADEMIC
YEAR 2013/2014 GROUP
Date: 22nd May 2013
The Dean, School of Physical Sciences,
Fellow Directors and Chairmen of Departments,
School Administration staff,
Honored First Years students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me pleasure to welcome you to the School of Physical Sciences and in particular to the
Department of GEOLOGY, which is one of the other five departments in the School. I shall
highlight by giving you important information regarding the main functions of the Department.
This information will assist you to form a true picture of what the Department does and will offer
to you. First we shall start by asking ourselves:
What is Geology?
Geology is the widest ranging science that combines both theory and practical skills. Geology is
concerned with the following:
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Origin of the earth (how and when it was formed), its composition (minerals, rocks
etc) and structure
Geological structures (mountain chains, valleys, ridges, fractures etc).
Historical events that have produced the earth’s surface features and development of
life throughout the earth history
Processes that change its physical and chemical characteristics both internally and
externally.
The study and monitoring of earthquakes and risks associated with them.
The other important information that we need to know regards the available research and
teaching facilities in the Department that will be of service to you once you are enrolled in the
Department.
Facilities in Department of Geology
It is well endowed with teaching and research facilities that support fundamental research in all
aspects of Earth Sciences. Major facilities include:
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Facilities for rock cutting and faceting
A wide range of optical equipments and ore microscopes
Geochemical equipment for rock and soil analysis (e.g. Atomic spectrometric analysis
machine (AAS) Graphite furnace etc.)
Excellent teaching reference collection of rocks, minerals and fossil specimens
Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing laboratory
Opportunity to do practical lessons through field mapping projects
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As prospective students, there is the need to ask ourselvesWhat are the uses of Geology?
Through the training and knowledge acquired in geology, the following are discovered and
exploited:
Minerals and rocks for:
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Steel industries, car manufacturers, industrial machines, TV’s, radios, microscopes,
communication lines etc.
Chemical industries- manufacture of acids, salts, filters etc
Agricultural resources – e.g. fertilizers
Construction industries- buildings, roads, railway lines, cement industries and dams.
Groundwater for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes
Geothermal steam for generation of geothermal energy
Precious stones – Diamond, ruby, sapphire Garnets,
Knowledge of Geology is also essential in evaluating ideal sites for dam construction, large
buildings, railway lines, roads, pipe lines and mitigating hazards such as earthquakes, landslides
etc.
Further, at the end of your training, we all look for a prospective employment. Hence we can ask
ourselves,
Who are the employers of geologists?
There are quite a number and this includes:
Government Ministries:
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Ministry of Mining
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Ministry of Water and Environment and Natural Resources
Ministry of Agriculture
Parastatal Bodies:
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Post secondary teaching institutions
Mining companies e.g. Magadi Soda, Fluospar Company Ltd
Geothermal companies – e.g. Kengen, Geothermal Development Company
Petroleum Exploration Companies – Tullow, Africa Oil, National Oil Company of
Kenya
Private Firms:
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Groundwater Exploration firms
Engineering firms
Oil companies
Teaching Staff
The Department of Geology has a well qualified teaching staff composed of 2 full professors, 4
Associate professors, 5 Senior Lecturers, 4 lecturers, 3 tutorial research fellows, and 2 graduate
assistants.
The final question that is of great interest and need to be asked by all is:
Where would man be without Geology?
Dr. Christopher M. Nyamai
Chairman, Department of Geology