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Earth
science is an interdisciplinary science comprising the sub-disciplines of
geology, geochemistry, geophysics, environmental geoscience, computational
geoscience and palaeontology. These subjects are fully interdisciplinary and
reflect the diverse nature of geological and geophysical science.
The application of chemical, physical, mathematical, biological and computing
principles forms the basis of these subjects, and allows students to identify
specific aspects of earth sciences, and the sciences in general, which may be
pursued in detail in the later years of study. Earth science-based careers span
fuel and mineral exploration and extraction industries, engineering geology and
hydrogeology, government surveys, environmental studies, marine science,
teaching and research in universities and many other organisations.
First-year students should include 12-point options in each of earth sciences
and mathematical methods, and at least one of chemistry, physics, biology and
physical geography. Those with an ultimate aim to specialise in palaeontology
preferably should take biology. Those with interests in environmental science
are advised to take biology and chemistry. Those with interests in geophysics
are advised to take physics. First-year students who intend to major in geology
are strongly advised to discuss their curriculum with members of staff.
Second-year geology studies should include at least 12 points of geology by
combining ESC2011 (Crustal processes) with ESC2022 (Origin and evolution of the
earth's crust). Both of these are prerequisites for third-year geology studies.
In addition, at least one other second-year coherent package of 12 points from
another department (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Biological
Sciences, Computer Science and Software Engineering, Geography and
Environmental Science) should be taken. The remaining 24 points of the 48
credit points may also be taken in this way, or made up of individual six
and/or three-credit point subjects. Additional options in the Department of
Earth Sciences are six-point subjects ESC2032, ESC2061, ESC2042. It is strongly
recommended that ESC2061 and at least one other of these six-point subjects be
taken by students proceeding to third-year earth sciences studies. BSc
(Environmental) and Bachelor of Environmental Science students may choose
ESC2042 as part of the environmental geoscience stream. Students intending to
major in geophysics are recommended to take 12 points in each of earth
sciences, mathematics and physics.
Third-year geology studies can involve 48 point or 24 point programs. If 24
points are taken in geology or geophysics, the remaining 24 points may be made
up according to faculty course requirements. BSc (Environmental) and Bachelor
of Environmental Science students or geology and geophysics students interested
in the environment may choose the environmental geoscience subject.
Students majoring in geology may combine geophysics with geology in third year.
Those requiring a smaller geophysics component may take geophysics subjects as
part of their geology studies concentrating on resource subjects (ore deposits,
petroleum) which include a basic geophysics component.
Geophysics involves the application of physics, mathematics and computing to
the interpretation of the subsurface structure and distribution of rock types
and resources using electronic instrumentation and computational data
processing techniques. Students majoring in geophysics are encouraged to choose
a second major in either geology, mathematics or physics.
Upon satisfactory completion of third-year degree requirements, honours or
masters stage-one programs are recommended for suitably qualified students in
geology and geophysics, to enhance substantially professional opportunities.
The honours program is a one-year course, the basis of which is a research
project. The MSc stage-one course is a combination of coursework and research,
and providing progress is satisfactory at the end of the year, allows entry
into the full masters program, which normally involves one additional year of
study by coursework and/or research.
Coordinator:
Ms Marion Anderson
In first year, the department offers the subjects ESC1011 (Planet earth and its
environment: the cosmic connection) and ESC1022 (Planet earth: dynamic systems,
environmental change and resources).
ESC1011 is of interest to students seeking a broad overview of earth and
environmental sciences. There are three one-hour lectures and one three-hour
practical session per week, and a one-day field excursion in the middle of the
semester. Practical sessions illustrate and enhance material covered in the
lectures.
ESC1022 continues to provide an overview of earth and environmental sciences,
in particular an introduction to processes which have shaped the earth's crust
through its evolution. The subject consists of three one-hour lectures and one
three-hour lab each week, together with two field excursions. Practicals
illustrate and enhance material covered in the lectures.
Coordinator:
Dr David Lambert · Prerequisites: ESC1011 and ESC1022
The second-year earth sciences program builds on the basic material presented
in the first-year earth sciences subjects and provides an introduction to the
more detailed studies of the third-year earth sciences subjects.
The mainstream program consists of a detailed examination of the
characteristics of rocks and minerals, and how they form. It is also an
introduction to the ways in which geoscientists reconstruct the physical and
chemical conditions and processes that existed in the geological past. The
manner in which rocks deform and the interpretation of tectonic structures and
processes is an important part of the program; in addition the processes by
which mineral and ore deposits form are introduced.
The department offers two six-point subjects. Students planning to take earth
sciences in third year are required to do ESC2011 (Crustal processes) and
ESC2022 (Origin and evolution of the earth's crust), which will be offered
sequentially in first and second semester. Such students will be expected to
have completed the prerequisite first-year subjects ESC1011 and ESC1022.
Students with better-than-average academic records may be permitted to enrol in
the mainstream second-year earth sciences program without these prerequisites
with the permission of the head of department. In addition to ESC2011 and
ESC2022, students intending to take earth sciences in third year are strongly
advised to complete ESC2061 (Field geology). Other six-point subjects are
ESC2042 (Environmental geoscienceI) and ESC2032 (Vertebrate life on planet
earth) and are available to those students who are geologically inclined.
ESC2011, ESC 2061 and ESC2022 will also be available to students wishing to
take them as independent subjects to support other studies. Students with
interests in any of the second-year geology subjects and not intending to
proceed to third-year earth sciences studies may take any subject or
combination of subjects.
Coordinator:
Dr David Gray · Prerequisites: ESC2011 and ESC2022
The third-year program in earth sciences consists of six-point subjects in
geology, geophysics and environmental geoscience. Units within the subjects can
be taken in a number of combinations depending on the student's interests;
however the combinations mainly fall into two main sequences - geology and
geophysics.
Students
intending to become professional earth scientists may take 48 points in geology
and environmental geoscience or combine two 24-point subjects in geology and
geophysics (see below) within the Department of Earth Sciences. Students who
are primarily interested in earth sciences, but who also wish to maintain or
explore interests in other disciplines may combine a 24-point sequence in
another discipline provided they meet the degree requirements of the Faculty of
Science.
Relevant third-year coursework subjects taken in other Monash departments
(especially the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer
Science, Geography and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics) may in some
cases be incorporated into earth sciences subjects. Where subjects in
particular areas of earth sciences are not offered in the Monash Department of
Earth Sciences, students may be able to gain access to suitable subjects in the
geology departments of La Trobe and Melbourne universities. Both of these
options may be exercised only after discussion with (and with the permission
of) the third-year coordinator.
To complete either a 24-point or 48-point geology discipline, all students are
strongly recommended to attend the two-week third-year field mapping camp
ESC3180. All students should take ESC3121 (Structural geology) and ESC3131
(Metamorphic geology) (first semester) as necessary background to the field
camp.
Students interested in the earth sciences project option ESC3200 should obtain
permission from eith the third-year coordinator or head of department.
Coordinator:
Professor James Cull (Geophysics subjects) · Prerequisites: Any 16-point
sequence in second-year geology, physics, applied mathematics, engineering or
computer science, or permission of head of department
Students intending to major in geophysics should take the four six-point
subjects GPS3221 (Regional geophysics), GPS3241 (Exploration geophysics:
reflection seismology), GPS3212 (Global geophysics) and GPS3232 (Electrical
geophysics). The 12-point subject GPS3281 (Applied physics) may be taken in
first semester, in addition to, or in place of, two of the six-point subjects.
The three four-point subjects GPS3252 (Quantitative seismology), GPS3262
(Partial differential equations) and GPS3272 (Techniques of scientific
computing) may be taken in second semester, in addition to, or in place of, two
of the six-point subjects. The latter three subjects have prerequisites in the
second-year mathematics stream.
Students taking a single major (24 points) in geophysics are advised to combine
this choice with 24 points of third-year subjects in one of geology (ESC),
mathematics (MAT) or physics (PHS). Students taking 36 points of geophysics
subjects are advised to combine this choice with 12 points from either the
third-year ESC, MAT or PHS streams.
Students interested in the earth sciences project option ESC3200 should obtain
permission from eith the third-year coordinator or head of department.
Students intending to continue on to honours level geophysics should consult
the geophysics coordinator when selecting third-year subjects.
At fourth-year level, students may choose to do either a one-year honours program or the masters stage one program. Entry into either requires a distinction level grade or higher in a coherent package of subjects of at least 24 points in third-year geology, geophysics, physics, mathematics or computer science. The honours program involves limited coursework, seminars and a major research project. Entry into an MSc part one will be based on a credit grade average in relevant third-year subjects. A case can be made for applicants applying several years after graduation, provided it can be demonstrated they have sufficient aptitude for research in the proposed field. The masters part one program involves more coursework and/ or project work, but also a substantial research project. Satisfactory completion of the masters stage one program after one year at a standard equivalent to an honours grade of H2A or better qualifies the candidate to enter the full masters program, which involves one further year of study as outlined in the graduate studies handbook. A masters by coursework with 'tagged' courses (eg in exploration geophysics, strategic exploration management etc) are being developed.
Coordinator:
Dr Ian Cartwright · Prerequisites: A distinction average in 24 points of
third-year subjects in geology, geophysics, mathematics or physics and/or
permission of the head of department, and approval of the faculty ·
Honours places are subject to quotas · Students must already have
qualified for an undergraduate degree
Entry into the BSc(Hons) course may take place either in first semester or
second semester. A mid-year start is possible for students who have limited
background in the geological sciences, to enable them to take supplementary
studies in first semester. BSc(Hons) students will be required to submit a
research thesis at the end of the honours year. The subject of this thesis will
be decided in discussion between the student, the supervisor and the
coordinator and may involve field, laboratory and/or theoretical studies. In
addition, a reading essay and seminar presentation on specialised aspects of
the student's work will be required at set times during the year, and all
students are required to take at least 15 days of courses which may be field or
lecture-based. Available programs will be listed by the coordinator and must be
chosen in consultation with supervisors.
Students transferring to geology or geophysics from other streams will be
required to attend seminars and programs related to their project. A minimum of
three lecture units is normally compulsory, selected in consultation with the
supervisor, from the list of units available to the MSc stage one/MSc
stream.
Students may undertake honours programs in either geology or geophysics,
although research projects may involve elements of both.
* UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, ESC3180 (FIELD CAMP) CAN BE TAKEN AS A FIRST-SEMESTER SUBJECT (BY PERMISSION OF THIRD-YEAR COORDINATOR).
wwwdev@monash.edu.au
Thu May 25 16:42:33 EST 2000