Geosciences

Coordinators: Listed below for each level

The discipline

Geosciences is a multidisciplinary science that seeks to understand the Earth’s dynamic systems. The geosciences program provides students with an insight into both present-day processes and how the Earth has changed over geological time, including an understanding of how its chemical, physical and biological systems (eg plate tectonics, volcanoes, mountain belts, ocean basins, earthquakes, groundwater and surface water, the biosphere and 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 relevant for sustainable use of the Earth’s resources. 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 interaction between the different Earth systems. Further, the units develop transferable skills such as logical thinking, data manipulation, problem solving, team building, research and communication. Careers in geosciences are varied and include mineral and petroleum exploration, marine science, groundwater and surface water 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.

Units offered

Level one

ESC1011 Planet Earth and its environment: the cosmic connection
ESC1022 Planet Earth: dynamic systems, environmental change and resources

Level two

ESC2032 The dynamic biosphere: changing fauna through geological time
ESC2111 Dynamic Earth I: building of continents and the environment
ESC2122 Dynamic Earth II: global processes
ESC2131 Charles Darwin and geology
ESC2192 Environmental earth sciences

Level three

ESC3162 Ore deposit geology and global metallogeny
ESC3170 Field geology of New Zealand
ESC3180 Field mapping
ESC3190 Hydrogeology and environmental geosciences
ESC3200 Earth sciences project
ESC3201 Deformation and metamorphism of the crust
ESC3203 Geosciences special studies unit
ESC3232 The dynamic biosphere: changing fauna through geological time
ESC3291 Climates in geological time
ESC3311 Geophysics: regional mapping
ESC3322 Geophysics: geoscience software
ESC3332 Global dynamics and crustal evolution
ESC3392 Remote sensing and GIS in geosciences
ESC3410 Earth sciences special studies 1
ESC3411 Sediments, basins and resources
ESC3420 Earth sciences special studies 2
ESC3421 Volcanology and igneous petrology

Sequence requirements

Minor sequence in geosciences (24 points):

At least one of ESC1011, ENV1011 or ESC1022, and
The remaining 12 or 18 points from the ESC units at level two or three

Major sequence in geosciences (48 points):

At least one of ENV1011, ESC1011 or ESC1022, and
ESC2111 and ESC2122, and
The remaining 24 or 30 points from the ESC units at level two or three, including at least 18 points at level three

A related sequence is also described in the ‘Geophysics’ entry in this section of the handbook.

Recommendations

Level one

Coordinator: Ms Marion Anderson (School of Geosciences)

First-year students studying geosciences should include the 12-point combination ESC1011/ENV1011 and ESC1022 along with SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) or STA1010 (Statistical methods for science), 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.

Level two

Coordinator: Dr Bruce Shaefer (School of Geosciences)

Students planning to complete a major in geosciences are required to complete ESC2111 and ESC2122; ESC2192 is also strongly recommended. Students planning to take the major in environmental geosciences are required to take ESC2111 and ESC2192; ESC2122 is strongly recommended. Further details of the environmental geosciences program are provided in the 'Environmental geosciences' entry in this section of the handbook.

Geoscience students enrolled in the Bachelor of Environmental Science are advised to complete the major in environmental geosciences to complement their other areas of study. 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.

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.

ESC2032, ESC2111, ESC2122, ESC2192, ESC2131 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.

Level three

Coordinator: Dr Roberto Weinberg (School of Geosciences)

The level-three program in geosciences consists of several 6-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 and others interested in environmental geosciences should take the major in environmental geosciences, which includes ESC3190, ESC3291 and ESC3392. Further details of the environmental geosciences program are provided in the relevant entry in this section of the handbook. Students interested in geophysics should combine the four relevant level three units (ESC3410, 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.

Level four

Coordinator: Professor Ray Cas (School of Geosciences)

At fourth-year level, students may choose to do either a one-year honours program or the Master of Science preliminary (MScPrelim) 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 the honours or masters preliminary program 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 Postgraduate Handbook 2007.

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