Department News
Rhodes Geology in 2013
As with much of the country, Rhodes Geology experienced unprecedented growth in undergraduate student numbers in 2009, with numbers reducing somewhat and stabilising since 2010: EAR101 (our combined Geology-Geography introductory course) has remained at over 180 students, with over 65 expecting to carry on into second semester. The second year classes of about 25 students remain large at our standards, with third year class sizes stable in the upper-teens over recent years. We continue to see Distinction-quality students in most classes, and are encouraged by the overall quality of our graduates in a competitive and rewarding market. Applications for Honours have reached an all-time high with more than 70 for 12 seats for the 2013 class. 12 in all respects superior candidates are the chosen ones for this year. This is our largest Honours class so far.
Arrivals & Departures
After seven years at Rhodes as an undergraduate and postgraduate student, and in 2012 as a junior staff member, Ms Susan Foulkes is leaving us and will take up employment at Mintek. We will fill the position, generously funded by MQA (the Mining Qualifications Authority), in due course. Ms Marcia Royi, who completed her Honours degree successfully in November 2012, has joined us in January, also on an MQA contract and with similar responsibilities.
Our post-graduate research class continues from 2012 into 2013. Susan Foulkes is close to submitting her MSc thesis and hopefully will graduate in 2013. Geoff Howarth has completed his PhD research and is bound to the US for a Postdoc fellowship in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also Jason Moodley has submitted his thesis and will graduate in April.
After his retirement in December we are happy to see Prof Goonie Marsh as one of our Research Associates. He also keeps his responsibility for the XRF analyser and manages the lab. Hence, there will not be any gap in our whole rock analytical capabilities. Goonie's teaching portfolio in igneous petrology and geochemistry, and the responsibility for the large first year course in Earth Sciences will pass to Steve Prevec.
Goonie’s post has been advertised in early 2012 but we have decided to change the job description from igneous petrology to metamorphic geology. The new incumbent is Dr Peter Horvath, hailing from Hungary, who has joined us in March. Peter has substantial research experience in a variety of metamorphic rocks and brings with him field experience in European and southern African orogens alike. He is responsible for courses in metamorphic petrology and mineralogy.
With great sadness we say goodbye to Prof Hugh Eales who, after several months of bad health, passed away on 19 November 2012. Hugh had been a dedicated staff member from 1958 to his retirement in 1993, serving as Head of Department for more than 20 years. After 1993 Hugh stayed on as a highly productive Emeritus Professor and Research Associate. In 2012 he became a Distinguished Fellow of Rhodes University. Hugh was scientist, teacher, mentor and friend, and will be missed by staff and students.
