Department Background

The Department of Applied Earth Sciences was established as the third Department of the Faculty of Applied Sciences of Uva Wellassa University by the Extraordinary Gazette No: 2160/45 of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka issued on 30.01.2020. The Department offers the Mineral Resources and Technology degree programme leading to the award of the Bachelor of Science in Mineral Resources and Technology that caters to the need of intellectuals with sound knowledge in earth resources and there value addition. Equipped with elementary and advanced teaching laboratories, modern high-tech instruments and with a qualified academic staff, the newly established Department is well-posed for a promising journey in Sri Lanka’s higher education arena.

Academic Programs

Mineral Resources and Technology Degree Programme

Mineral Resources and Technology degree programme (MRT) was launched in 2008 aligning with the UWU’s theme on value addition to the national resources base. It provides a firm scientific foundation upon which the technological knowhow in mineral value addition is built up. The degree programme has been designed in a manner that students acquire specialized knowledge in earth’s resources with special emphasis on their better utilization. The modern curriculum addresses both minerals and water as earth’s resources and features a unique course structure. Mineral Processing Technology and Water Science and Technology are the two specialization areas offered under the Mineral Resources and Technology degree programme in the third and fourth academic years.

 

Outline of the Curriculum

The course code system of a course unit will have a code in the format as CST XYZ-n where ‘X’ is the year of study, ‘Y’ as subject area, and ‘Z’ as the course number for each subject area. For all codes, ‘n’ will carry the credit allocation of the course unit. Separate numbering systems were followed for the 100 and 200 level subject areas (Y) compared to 300 and 400 level subjects(Y). For each specialization area (Y), two digits were assigned where the lower digit denotes the first semester courses in that particular specialization and the second digit for the second semester course units.

The following digits were assigned for subjects offered at 100 and 200 levels;

Mathematics – 0
Statistics – 1
Biology – 2
Chemistry – 3
Engineering – 4
Physics – 5

The following digits were assigned for subjects offered at 300 and 400 levels;

Mathematics – 0
Statistics – 1
Bioprocess technology – 2,3
Material Science – 4,5
Mechatronics – 6,7
Common courses – 8
Research/ Industrial training – 9

Selection of Specialization areas of Mineral Resources and Technology Degree Programme;

»  Students will be selected for specialization areas (Mineral Processing Technology and Water Science and Technology) at the end of the second academic year.

»  Students should apply for their preferred specialization area by filling in the application form issued by the Department of Science and Technology.

»  Student’s preference and performance in related foundation course units are the main selection criteria for specialization areas.


First Year (100 Level)
First  Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULE
ESD 121-2 English Language Level- I
ESD 151-1 Sinhala Language - I (non-GPA)
ESD 161-1 Tamil Language - I (non-GPA)
ESD 103-2 Information Technology
BGE 121-2 Ethics and Law Basics
CORE MODULE
SCT 101-1 Essential Mathematics
SCT 121-1 Introductory Biology
SCT 131-2 General Chemistry
SCT 141-1 Engineering Drawings
SCT 151-2 Mechanics, Waves, and Vibrations
MRT 151-3 Earth Materials and Processes
MRT 152-1 Water Resources - I
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULE
ESD 122-2 English Language Level - II
ESD 152-1 Sinhala Language - II(non-GPA)
ESD 162-1 Tamil Language - II(non-GPA)
ESD 111-1 Communication Skills - I
ESD 141-2 Quantitative Reasoning
CORE MODULE
SCT 102-2 Calculus
SCT 132-2 Inorganic Chemistry
SCT 152-2 Properties of Matter
MRT 161-3 Mineralogy and Petrology - I
MRT 162-1 Water Resources - II

Second Year (200 Level)
First  Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULE
ESD 221-2 English Language Level- III
BGE 211-2 Aesthetic Studies
CORE MODULE
SCT 201-1 Abstract Algebra
SCT 211-2 Statistical Methods
SCT 231-2 Physical Chemistry
SCT 251-2 Electricity and Magnetism
SCT 252-1 Optics
MRT 251-3 Mineralogy and Petrology - II
MRT 253-2 Principles of Hydrogeology
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULE
BGE 213-1 History
BGE 214-1 Geography
CORE MODULE
SCT 202-3 Differential Equations and Applications
SCT 232-2 Organic Chemistry
SCT 242-2 Engineering Thermodynamics
SCT 253-1 Electronics
SCT 212-1 Operational Research
MRT 252-2 Structural Geology
MRT 254-2 Applied Geochemistry

Third Year (300 Level)
First  Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULE
ESD 311-1 Communication Skills - II
CORE MODULE
MRT 362-2 Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation - I
MRT 371-3 Water Chemistry
MRT 372-1 Water Chemistry Laboratory - I
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 373-2 Hydrology
MRT 374-3 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
MRT 376-2 Aquatic Microbiology
MRT 377-2 Oceanography
MRT 378-2 Advanced Hydrogeology
MRT 382-3 Water Treatment Methods
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 316-3 Engineering Geology
MRT 352-2 Surveying and Levelling
MRT 353-1 Engineering Workshop Technology
MRT 355-2 Soil Physics
MRT 366-1 Computer Programming
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
CORE MODULE
MRT 365-3 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technology
MRT 381-2 Water Safety Plan
MRT 361-2 Research Methodology and Scientific Writing
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 351-3 Applied Geophysics
MRT 383-1 Water Treatment Laboratory
MRT 384-2 Water Supply Engineering
MRT 386-3 Groundwater Flow Modelling
MRT 385-2 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse - I
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 327-2 Petroleum Exploration and Extraction
MRT 364-1 Computer Aided Drawing and Designing
MRT 392-2 Project Management
IIT 323-2 Human Resource Managements and Industrial Relations
SCT 302-2 Applied Economics and Financial Accounting

Fourth Year (400 Level)
First Semester
Course Code Course Title
CORE MODULE
MRT 451-2 Environment and Industry Regulations
MRT 463-2 Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation - II
MRT 471-3 Advanced Water Chemistry
MRT 472-1 Water Chemistry Laboratory - II
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 473-2 Wastewater Treatment and Reuse - II
MRT 474-1 Nanotechnology for Water Treatment
MRT 475-2 Bottled Water Technology
MRT 476-3 Solute Transport and Reactive Fluid Flow Modelling
MRT 478-2 Water Wells and Pumps
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 453-2 Pollution Control and Remediation
MRT 454-2 Quantity Surveying
IIT 446-2 Intellectual Property Rights, Legislations and Commercialization
SCT 401-2 Business Management and Entrepreneurship
SCT 402-2 Quality Assurance and Control
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
CORE MODULE
MRT 461-6 Directed Research Project
MRT 462-6 Industrial Training (Non-GPA)
Third Year (300 Level)
First  Semester
Course Code Course Title
ESD & BGE MODULEMODULE
ESD 311-1 Communication Skills - II
CORE MODULE
MRT 311-2 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals
MRT 312-2 Genesis of Mineral Deposits
MRT 362-2 Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation - I
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 313-2 Gemmology
MRT 314-1 Gemmology Laboratory
MRT 315-3 Technical Mineralogy – I
MRT 316-3 Engineering Geology
MRT 317-2 Industrial Mineral Processing Technology
MRT 318-1 Industrial Mineral Processing Laboratory
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 352-2 Surveying and Levelling
MRT 353-1 Engineering Workshop Technology
MRT 355-2 Soil Physics
MRT 366-1 Computer Programming
MRT 374-3 Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
MRT 377-2 Oceanography
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
CORE MODULE
MRT 321-2 Mineral Exploration Methods
MRT 365-3 Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technology
MRT 361-2 Research Methodology and Scientific Writing
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 322-2 Gemstone Fashioning
MRT 324-3 Technical Mineralogy – II
MRT 325-2 Mine Planning Strategies
MRT 327-2 Petroleum Exploration and Extraction
MRT 351-3 Applied Geophysics
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 363-2 Quantity Surveying
MRT 364-1 Computer Aided Drawing and Designing
MRT 381-2 Water Safety Plan
MRT 392-2 Project Management
IIT 323-2 Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations
SCT 302-2 Applied Economics and Financial Accounting

Foruth Year (400 Level)
First  Semester
Course Code Course Title
CORE MODULE
MRT 411-2 Mineral Economics
MRT 412-2 Mineral Nanoscience and Technology
MRT 451-2 Environment and Industry Regulations
MRT 463-2 Analytical Techniques and Instrumentation - II
ELECTIVE MODULE
MRT 413-2 Gem Enhancement Techniques
MRT 414-2 Jewellery Designing
MRT 415-3 Ceramic and Glass Technology
MRT 416-2 Mining Methods
MRT 417-2 Extractive Metallurgy
MRT 418-2 Simulation of Mineral Processing Systems
OPTIONAL COURSE UNITS
MRT 453-2 Pollution Control and Remediation
MRT 454-2 Quantity Surveying
IIT 446-2 Intellectual Property Rights, Legislations and Commercialization
SCT 401-2 Business Management and Entrepreneurship
SCT 402-2 Quality Assurance and Control
Second Semester
Course Code Course Title
CAREER MODULE
MRT 461-6 Directed Research Project
MRT 462-6 Industrial Training (Non-GPA)