Coordinators: Listed below for each level
Geosciences is a multidisciplinary science that seeks to understand how the Earth's dynamic systems operate. The geosciences program provides students with an insight into how the Earth has changed over geological time, including an understanding of how its chemical, physical and biological systems (plate tectonics, volcanoes, mountain belts, ocean basins, earthquakes, formation of mineral and petroleum deposits, evolution of life, development of the atmosphere) are interrelated, and how they have shaped the planet on which we live. Additionally, units in environmental geosciences, mineral and petroleum exploration, and geophysics provide applied geosciences applications. Speciality streams within the geosciences include geology, environmental geosciences, geophysics, geochemistry, volcanology and palaeontology. In addition, the discipline draws on, and has links with, numerous allied sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, geography, information technology, mathematics and atmospheric science.
The core geosciences program examines the major geological processes on planet Earth within a plate tectonic framework. All units are multidisciplinary and reflect both the broad scope and the relatedness of different Earth systems. Further, the units develop transferable skills such as data manipulation, problem solving, team building, and communication. Careers in geosciences are varied and include mineral and petroleum exploration, marine science, hydrogeology and groundwater resources, teaching, geological engineering and geotechnical surveys, environmental consulting, and resource evaluation. There are also opportunities for geosciences research and development in the university, government, and private sectors. Additionally, the transferable skills developed are in wide demand within the science and non-science sectors of the economy.
Minor sequence in geosciences (24 points):
Major sequence in geosciences (48 points):
A related sequence is also described in the `Geophysics' entry in this section of the handbook.
Coordinator: Ms Marion Anderson
First-year students studying geosciences should include the 12-point combination ESC1011/ENV1011 and ESC1022 along with SCI1020, and at least one of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science or physical geography. Students aiming to specialise in palaeontology should also take biology. Similarly those with interests in environmental science are advised to take two of biology, chemistry and geography, while those with interests in geophysics are advised to take physics and/or mathematics. First-year students who intend to major in geosciences are strongly advised to discuss their program with members of staff.
ESC1011 is of interest to students seeking a broad overview of earth and environmental sciences. ESC1022 provides a continued overview of geosciences, in particular the processes that have shaped the Earth's crust through its evolution.
Coordinator: Dr Steve Beresford
Students planning to take geosciences in third year are required to complete ESC2111 and ESC2122. ESC2062 is also strongly recommended. Students who have not taken ESC1011, ENV1011 or ESC1022 may apply to the head of school for permission to enrol in these level-two units. In addition to ESC2111 and ESC2122, students intending to take geosciences at level three are strongly advised to complete ESC2062. At least one other coherent package of 12 points at level two from another area of study (chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, biological sciences, computer science, geography) should be taken.
Bachelor of Environmental Science students are advised to complete ESC2111,
ESC2122 and either ESC2032 or ESC2062 as part of their geosciences major.
ESC2111, ESC2062, ESC2032 and ESC2122 are also available to students wishing to
take them as independent units to support other studies. Students not intending
to proceed to level-three studies in geosciences may take any combination of
level-two geosciences units.
Geophysics involves the application of physics, mathematics and computer
methods to the investigation of the Earth's interior. Further details of the
program are provided in the `Geophysics' entry in this section of the handbook.
Coordinator: Dr Ian Cartwright
The level-three program in geosciences consists of several six-point units in geology, geophysics and environmental geosciences that may be taken in any combination depending on the student's interests and the units completed at level two. Students interested in continuing with geosciences at honours or MSc or becoming professional geologists, geophysicists or environmental geoscientists should take 48 points of geosciences units at level three. Students who are primarily interested in geosciences, but who also wish to maintain interests in other disciplines may combine a 24 point sequence of geosciences units at level three, with a 24 point sequence in another discipline, provided they satisfy the course requirements of the Bachelor of Science.
While there are no required units at level three, students should choose
combinations of units with regard to their interests, experience and future
aspirations. Advice on suitable combinations of units for various geosciences
streams is available from the School of Geosciences and all students are urged
to seek advice before choosing sequences of units. Students interested in the
geosciences project unit (ESC3200) must obtain permission from the third-year
coordinator before enrolling. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible
to incorporate units taught at other universities in the geosciences program;
however this requires the permission of the third-year coordinator and the head
of school.
Bachelor of Environmental Science students should take ESC3191 and at least 18
points of other level-three units as part of their geosciences major. Students
interested in geophysics should combine the four relevant level three units
(ESC3241, ESC3311, ESC3322, ESC3332) with other level-three units from
geosciences, mathematics or physics. Further details of the geophysics program
are provided in the `Geophysics' entry in this section of the handbook.
At fourth-year level, students may choose to do either a one-year honours program or the masters preliminary program. The honours program involves limited coursework, seminars and a major research project. Entry into the honours program or the MSc preliminary will be based on a distinction grade average in four 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.
Entry into either 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. Honours students will be required to submit a research thesis
at the end of the course. The topic 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 literature
review 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.
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.
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