Undergraduate - Area of study Geosciences

Minor sequence in geosciences (24 points)

• ENV1011 or ESC1011, and ESC1022
• the remaining 12 points from the ESC units at level two or three

Major sequence in geosciences (48 points)

• ENV1011 or ESC1011, and ESC1022
• ESC2111 and ESC2122
• the remaining 24 points from the ESC units at level two or three, including at least 18 points at level three

Double major sequence in geosciences (72 points)

• ENV1011 or ESC1011, and ESC1022
• ESC2111 and ESC2122
• the remaining 48 points from the ESC units at level two or three, including at least 36 points at level three

Requirements for honours in geosciences

• At least 24 points of ESC units at level three including 18 points from ESC3162, ESC3190, ESC3201, ESC3232, ESC3311, ESC3332, ESC3411 or ESC3421.

Additional information

See coordinator details in table above.

Level one

Students in course 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science (only) may use ENV1011 (Planet earth and its environment: The cosmic connection) and ENV1022 (Australian physical environments: Evolution, status and management) as a level one ESC sequence for a major or a minor sequence in 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, computational science or geographical science. Students aiming to specialise in palaeontology should also take units from biological sciences. Similarly those with interests in environmental science are advised to take two of biology, chemistry and geographical science, while those with interests in geophysics are advised to take physics and/or mathematics.

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.

Both ESC1011/ENV1011 and ESC1022 have one-day field trips to sites of geological significance.

Level two

Students planning to complete a major in geosciences are required to complete ESC2111 and ESC2122. Other units offered at level two are paleontology unit ESC2032 and the Buchan field trip ESC2132.

In the second year of the geosciences curriculum, students will gain a firm understanding of global-scale geological processes, including plate tectonics, mountain building and sedimentation, mineral science, and volcanism. In addition to lecture and laboratory-based exercises, students will participate in several field-based activities that will sharpen their skills of data collection and interpretation of both small and large-scale geological structures.

In ESC2111, students will learn to interpret past geo-tectonic environments by deciphering stratigraphic and structural elements preserved in mountain belts and sedimentary basins. Because most of our planet is made of minerals, students will delve increasingly into the relationships between the structure, chemistry, physical and optical properties of minerals in ESC2122. Students will explore these concepts through laboratory exercises on crystal morphology and symmetry, optical mineralogy, and electron microscopy. An introduction to groundwater movement and quality emphasising its use and abuse by humans is also treated in ESC2122. Groundwater topics include predicting flow patterns, interactions with surface water, well drilling and pumping, groundwater contamination and remediation, and distribution of groundwater resources throughout Australia. In ESC2132, students will study the principles and practices of geological field mapping. They will quantify the deformation that occurs within Earth by measuring a variety of rock structures and discuss interpretations of the deformation patterns in the context of plate tectonics. Students may also elect to study how life on Earth has changed with time in the unit ESC2032. In this class students will learn to think in terms of the time scale of the Earth, which is more than 4.5 billion years old.

Students planning to complete a major in geosciences are required to complete ESC2111 and ESC2122; ESC2132 is also strongly recommended.

At least one other coherent package of 12 points at level two from another area of study (chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, biological sciences, computational science, geographical science) should be taken.

ESC2032, ESC2111, ESC2122, ESC2132 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. Students who intend to major in geosciences are strongly advised to discuss their program with relevant members of staff.

Level three

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 master's level or becoming professional geologists, geophysicists or environmental geoscientists should take 48 points of level three geoscience units. Students wishing to undertake honours in geosciences must complete at least 24 points of level three ESC units, including 18 points from ESC3162, ESC3190, ESC3201, ESC3232, ESC3311, ESC3332, ESC3411 or ESC3421. Students wishing to complete a major in geosciences but not to progress to honours may take any combination of level three ESC units. Students should choose 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.

Students interested in geophysics should combine the level three units ESC3410, ESC3311, and ESC3332 with other level-three units from geosciences, mathematics or physics.

Honours

In addition to the requirements listed above, students must meet the entry requirements for the Science honours program relevant to their course of enrolment. See the entries for:

• 2340 Bachelor of Environmental Science
• 3520 Bachelor of Science Advanced with Honours
• 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science
• 2188 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science (Science Scholar Program)

Full details regarding the course structure for honours in this area of study are outlined in course 0051 Honours degree of Bachelor of Science.