Geology CSS Syllabus (100 MARKS)
The Geology CSS Syllabus is a 100 marks optional subject divided into two parts 50 marks each. Explore Geology syllabus and practice with Geology CSS Past Papers to see how FPSC has tested topics such as mineralogy, structural geology, stratigraphy, petroleum geology, geophysics, geological hazards, and Pakistan’s mineral resources.
Part – I (50 Marks)
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
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
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
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
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
Part – II (50 Marks)
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
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
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
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
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
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 |
FPSC Official Geology CSS Syllabus
Here is the link to the Geology CSS Syllabus on the FPSC official website
