GEOLOGY CSS SYLLABUS (100 MARKS)

Part – I (50 Marks)

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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
  • Internal structure
• Introduction to rocks and minerals
• Weathering and erosion
• Isostasy
• Geological Time Scale

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II. Stratigraphy and Paleontology

• Principles of stratigraphy
• Laws of superposition and faunal succession
• Geological time scale with divisions
• Classification and nomenclature of stratigraphic units:
  • Lithostragraphic units
  • Biostratigraphic units
  • Chronostratgraphic units
• Introduction to fossils and their significance
• Modes of fossilization
• Study of morphology, range and broad classification of major invertebrate phyla
• Introduction to micro fossils
• Introduction to paleobotany
• Introduction and classification of major vertebrates
• Introduction to micropaleontology

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III. Mineralogy

• Classification of minerals
• Study of internal structure
• Polymorphism and isomorphism
• Paragenesis
• Physical properties of common silicate and non-silicate mineral groups
• Optical properties of common silicate and non-silicate mineral groups
• Introduction to crystallography:
  • Elements of symmetry
  • Normal classes of crystallographic systems

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IV. Structural Geology and Tectonics

• Stress-strain concepts
• Factors controlling the mechanical behavior of materials
• Folds
• Faults
• Joints
• Foliation:
  • Terminology
  • Classification
  • Relationship with bedding
• Lineation
• Unconformity
• Plate tectonics theory
• Geological evidences for continental drift
• Sea-floor spreading
• Oceanic ridges
• Continental rifts
• Intra-oceanic islands
• Hot spot and mantle plumes
• Wilson Cycle
• Tectonic framework of Pakistan

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V. Petrology and Petrography

• Introduction, classification and description of sedimentary rocks
• Origin, transportation and deposition of sediments
• Texture of sedimentary rocks
• Sedimentary structures:
  • Classification
  • Morphology
  • Significance
• Composition, origin, differentiation and evolution of magma
• Classification of igneous rocks
• Mode of occurrences and types of extrusive rocks
• Texture and structure of igneous 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
• Introduction to Polarizing Microscope
• Optical properties of opaque and non-opaque minerals in plane polarized light
• Optical properties under crossed nicol including metallic under reflected light
• Description of optical properties of common rock-forming minerals

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Part – II (50 Marks)

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I. Introduction to Geophysics

• Definition of geophysics
• Relation of geophysics with other sciences
• Classification and brief description of branches of geophysics:
  • Seismology
  • Geomagnetism
  • Geoelectricity
  • Tectonophysics
  • Gravimetry
  • Geo-thermy
  • Geodesy
• Introduction to geophysical techniques for exploration of:
  • Mineral deposits
  • Oil and gas
  • Subsurface water
  • Engineering works

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II. Sequence Stratigraphy

• Introduction:
  • History
  • Concept
  • Significance
• Data sources:
  • Seismic reflections
  • Outcrops
  • Well logs
  • Core
  • Seismic facies
• Sea level changes:
  • Causes and effects
  • Accommodation
  • Eustatic and relative sea curve
• Hierarchy of sequence stratigraphic elements
• Types of sequences
• Systems tracts

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III. Petroleum Geology

• Nature and classification of petroleum hydrocarbons
• Origin, migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons
• Source sediments
• Reservoir rocks
• Trapping mechanisms for oil and gas
• Prospecting and exploration of oil and gas
• Reservoir characteristics
• Drive mechanism
• Energy and pressure maintenance
• Secondary recovery
• Enhanced recovery
• Introduction to sedimentary basins of Pakistan

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IV. Engineering and Environmental Geology

• Rock and soil mechanics and applications in civil engineering
• Rock mass characteristics
• Geotechnical studies of rocks and soils
• Geological factors and strength of rocks
• Geological considerations for construction of:
  • Building foundations
  • Roads
  • Highways
  • Tunnels
  • Dams
  • Bridges
• Application of geophysical methods for site investigation
• Construction materials
• Mass movement:
  • Causes
  • Prevention
• Introduction to environmental geology
• Management of natural resources
• Global climatic changes
• Environmental controls for:
  • Erosion
  • Desertification
  • Coastal degradation
• Geological hazards:
  • Floods
  • Landslides
  • Earthquakes
  • Tsunamis
  • Volcanoes
  • Glaciers
  • Shoreline processes
• Remedial measures
• Clean sources of energy
• Industrial pollution
• Solid and liquid waste disposal
• Introduction to environmental impact assessment
• Initial environmental examination

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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
• Origin, occurrence and depositional environments of coal
• Coal constitution and kinds
• Coal rank, grade and calorific value
• Coal deposits of Pakistan with reference to Thar Coal
• Geothermal energy resources of Pakistan

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VI. Economic and Applied Geology

• Metallic and non-metallic mineral resources of Pakistan
• Mineral-based industries
• Overview of Recodec Copper
• Radioactive minerals and their occurrences in Pakistan
• Gemstones of Pakistan
• Geology of:
  • Reservoirs
  • Dams
  • Highways
  • Tunnels
• Major natural hazards and their impacts on the environment with special reference to Pakistan

FPSC RECOMMENDED BOOKS List for GEOLOGY CSS SYLLABUS

S.No.	Title	Author
1.	Physical Geology	Charles Plummer, David McGeary, Diane Carlson
2.	Physical Geology	Charles (Carlos) Plummer, Diane Carlson
3.	Principles of Physical Geology	Holmes, A.
4.	Principles of Paleontology	Raup, D.M. & Stanley, S.M.
5.	Invertebrate Paleontology	Romer, A.S.
6.	Invertebrate Paleontology and Evolution	Jackson, E.N.
7.	Stratigraphy of Pakistan	Shah, S.M.I.
8.	Principles of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy	Boggs, S.
9.	Stratigraphy and Historical Geology of Pakistan	Kazmi, A.H. and Abbasi, I.A.
10.	Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	Best, M.G.
11.	Introduction to Optical Mineralogy	Nesse, W.D.
12.	An Atlas of Minerals in Thin Section	Schulz, D.J.
13.	Minerals and Rocks	Klein, C.
14.	Mineral Characterisation and Processing	Mohapatra, B.K., Misra, V
15.	Principles of Mineralogy	William, H.B.
16.	Mineralogy	Perkins, D.
17.	Plate Tectonics – Geodynamics	Moores, E.M. & Twiss, R.J.
18.	Structural Geology of Rocks and Regions	George H. Davis, Stephen J. Reynolds, Charles F. Kluth
19.	Structural Geology	Twiss, R.J. & Moores, E.M.
20.	Carbonate Sedimentology	Tucker, M.E. & Wright, V.P.
21.	Applied Sedimentology	Selly, R.C.
22.	Petrology of Sedimentary Rocks	Boggs, S.
23.	Sedimentary Rocks	Pettijohn, F.J.
24.	Introduction to Applied Geophysics	Burger, H.R., Sheehan, A.F. & Jones, C.H.
25.	Geophysical Methods in Geology	Sharma, P.V.
26.	The Solid Earth: An Introduction to Global Geophysics	Brown, C.M.
27.	Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	Best, M.G.
28.	Petrology: Igneous, Sedimentary, & Metamorphic	Blatt, H., Tracy, R. & Owens, D.
29.	Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology	Best, M.G.
30.	Metamorphic Petrology	Turner, F.J.
31.	Sequence Stratigraphy	Emery, D. & Myers, K.J.
32.	Elements of Petroleum Geology	Richard C. Selley
33.	Petroleum Geology	North, F.K.
34.	Geology of Pakistan	Bender, F.K. & Raza, H.A.
35.	Engineering Geology: Principles and Practice	David George Price, Michael de Freitas
36.	Engineering Geology	F.G. Bell
37.	Fundamentals of Engineering Geology	Bell, F.G.
38.	Environmental Geology	Montgomery, C.W.
39.	Geology of Himalaya, Karakoram, Hindukush in Pakistan	Tahir Baig, K.K.
40.	Geology of Pakistan	Bender, F.K. & Raza, H.A.
41.	Stratigraphy and Historical Geology of Pakistan	Kazmi, A.H. & Abbasi, I.A.
42.	Economic Geology: Principles and Practice	Walter L. Pohl
43.	Directory of Mineral Deposits of Pakistan	Zai, A.
44.	An Introduction to Ore Geology	Evans, A.M.
45.	Metallogeny of Mineral Deposits of Pakistan	Kazmi, A.H. & Abbas, S.G.
46.	Introduction to Mineral Exploration	Moon, C.J., Whateley, M.K.G. & Evans, A.M.
47.	Energy Resources	Brown and Ripsum
48.	Pakistan Energy Yearbook 2012	Ministry of Natural Resources and Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, Islamabad

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