Coordinators: listed below for each year level
Geoscience
provides students with a combination of geology, geochemistry, geophysics,
environmental science, palaeontology, information technology and computer
science. These units are fully interdisciplinary and reflect the diverse nature
of geological and geophysical science. The core units will provide students
with an introduction to chemical, physical, mathematical, biological and
computer methods for mapping, data analysis, modelling, and interpretation of
Earth and planetary systems. Careers in geoscience span the fuel and mineral
exploration industries, mining and extraction, engineering geology,
geotechnical surveys, hydrogeology and groundwater surveys, environmental
studies, marine science, resource regulation, research and development in
universities, government and other industrial organisations.
First-year students should include the 12-point combination ESC1011 (Planet
earth: cosmic connections) and ESC1022 (Planet earth: dynamic systems) along
with SCI1020 (The design of science), and at least one of chemistry, physics,
biology and physical geography. Students aiming to specialise in palaeontology
should also take biology. Similarly those with interests in environmental
science are advised to take biology and chemistry, while those with interests
in geophysics are advised to take physics and/or mathematics. First-year
students who intend to major in geoscience are strongly advised to discuss
their program with members of staff.
Second-year geology studies should preferably include 24 points from a
combination of ESC2111 (Dynamic earth I: building and destruction of
continents), ESC2122 (Dynamic earth II: earth's global cycles), ESC2061
(Geology in the field), ESC2032 (Vertebrate life on planet earth) and ESC2042
(Environmental geoscience). In addition, at least one other coherent package of
12 points at level two from another discipline (chemistry, physics, mathematics
and statistics, biological sciences, computer science, geography) should be
taken. The remainder of the 48 points required may also be taken in this way,
or made up of individual six-point units. 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 geoscience, mathematics and physics.
Third-year students can complete a major 48 point or a sub-major 24 point
program in geoscience. If 24 points are taken in geology or geophysics, the
remaining 24 points may be made up according to faculty course requirements.
Bachelor of Environmental Science students or geology and geophysics students
interested in the environment may choose the environmental geoscience unit.
Students majoring in geology may combine geophysics with geology at level
three. Those requiring a smaller geophysics component may take geophysics units
as part of their geology studies concentrating on resource units (ore deposits,
petroleum) which include a basic geophysics component.
Geophysics involves the application of physics, mathematics and computer
methods to the investigation and interpretation of the Earth's interior. In
addition to subsurface mapping and remote sensing to assist with geological
models, exploration targets and subsurface utilites can be located directly
using a variety of techniques including gravity, magnetics, electromagnetic,
and seismic profiles. Further details of the program are provided under the
'Geophysics' entry.
Honours or masters preliminary programs are normally advised for suitably
qualified students at the completion of a three-year degree program for
graduates wishing to pursue a career in geology and geophysics (usually
essential for the mining and exploration industries). The honours program is a
one-year course, based mainly on a research project. The MSc preliminary course
is a combination of coursework and research; subject to satisfactory progress
at the end of the year, it allows entry into the full masters program, which
normally involves one additional year of study by coursework and/or research.
Coordinator:
Ms Marion Anderson
At level one, the school offers the units 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 near 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 unit 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 Ian Cartwright + Prerequisites: ESC1011 and ESC1022
The level-two geoscience program builds on the material presented in the
first-level units and provides an introduction to the more detailed studies in
the level-three geoscience units.
The mainstream program examines major geological processes on planet earth
within the framework of plate tectonics. It also provides an introduction to
the ways in which geoscientists examine modern day and ancient geological
processes. Emphasis is placed on integration of data from across the geoscience
sub-disciplines and in relating detailed geological phenomena to large scale
processes and controls. The school offers two six-point units. Students
planning to take geoscience in third year are required to complete ESC2111
(Dynamic earth I: building and destruction of continents) and ESC2122 (Dynamic
earth II: earth's global cycles), which will be offered sequentially in first
and second semester. Such students will be expected to have completed the
prerequisite level-one units ESC1011 and ESC1022. Students with
better-than-average academic records may be permitted to enrol in the
mainstream level-two geoscience program without these prerequisites with the
permission of the head of school. In addition to ESC2111 and ESC2122, students
intending to take geoscience at level three are strongly advised to complete
ESC2061 (Geology in the field). Other six-point units are ESC2042
(Environmental geoscience I) and ESC2032 (Vertebrate life on planet earth), and
students who wish to progress to third year are also strongly advised to take
one or both of these
ESC2111, ESC2061 and ESC2122 will also be available to students wishing to take
them as independent units to support other studies. Students with interests in
any of the level-two geology units and not intending to proceed to level-three
studies in geoscience may take any unit or combination of units.
Coordinator:
Dr David Gray + Prerequisites: ESC2011 and ESC2022
The level-three program in geoscience consists of six-point units in geology,
geophysics and environmental geoscience. Units within the sub-disciplines 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 geoscientists may take 48 points in
geology and environmental geoscience or combine two 24-point sequences in
geology and geophysics (see below) within the School of Geosciences. Students
who are primarily interested in geoscience, 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 course requirements of the Faculty of
Science.
Relevant level-three coursework units taken in other disciplines at Monash
(especially biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, geography,
mathematics, physics) may in some cases be incorporated into geoscience units.
Where units in particular areas of geoscience are not offered in the School of
Geosciences, students may be able to gain access to suitable units in the
geology departments of La Trobe and Melbourne universities. Both of these
options require discussion with (and 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 three-week third-year field mapping camp
ESC3180. Students completing the 48-point geoscience discipline should take
ESC3201 (Deformation and metamorphism of the crust) and ESC3211 (Sedimentation
and volcanism in crustal evolution).
Additional electives required to make up 48 points can be selected from:
ESC3180 (Field mapping), GPS3221 (Geophysical methods I), GPS3212 (Global
dynamics and crustal evolution), other six-point units including ESC3191
(Hydrology and Environmental geoscience), ESC3162 (Ore deposit geology and
global metallogeny), ESC3212 (Igneous petrology and geochemistry), GPS3241
(Basin mapping) and GPS3232 (Geophysical methods II). Students interested in
the geoscience project option ESC3200 and ESC3203 (Special studies unit) should
obtain permission from either the third-year coordinator or head of school.
At fourth-year level, students may choose to do either a one-year honours program or the masters preliminary program. Entry into either requires a distinction average or higher in a coherent package of units of at least 24 points in geology, geophysics, physics, mathematics or computer science at level three. The honours program involves limited coursework, seminars and a major research project. Entry into an MSc preliminary will be based on a credit grade average in relevant level-three units. 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 preliminary program involves more coursework and/or project work, but also a substantial research project. Satisfactory completion of the masters preliminary 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.
Coordinator:
Dr Mark Jessell + Prerequisites: a distinction average in 24 points of
level-three units in geology, geophysics, mathematics or physics and/or
permission of the head of school, and approval of the faculty + Students must
already have qualified for an undergraduate science 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 unit 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 20 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
four lecture units is normally compulsory, selected in consultation with the
supervisor, from the list of units available to the MSc preliminary/MSc
stream.
Students may undertake honours programs in either geology or geophysics,
although research projects may involve elements of both.
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