GeoScience

Study mode:Online Languages: English
Local:$ 14.9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 14.9 k / Year(s)  
StudyQA ranking:2078 Duration:36 months

Description

Australia's economy is heavily reliant on the export of minerals and other natural resources and there are excellent job prospects in all areas of geoscience. Australia is currently experiencing a minerals boom and the Minerals Council of Australia has concluded that the mining industry will require an increasing number of trained geologists and geoscientists into the future. Australia is also facing ongoing environmental challenges such as shortage of water, increased salinization of agricultural soils and loss of biodiversity resulting in strong demand for comprehensively trained geoscientists.

This innovative degree provides the opportunity to study a major in Fossil Fuels, Mineral Deposits or Remediaton and includes topics such as resource geology and environmental issues, optical mineralogy and igneous petrology, ore deposit geology, exploration and environmental geochemistry, field mapping and sedimentology, palaeontology and stratigraphy, applied geophysics, among others. The major completed will appear on the academic transcript and testamur.

Note: Trimester 2: Part-time Only

Career Opportunities

Earth science graduates are in high demand and have excellent employment prospects. In recent years, Australia has suffered a shortage of geoscientists and their salaries on graduation are near the top of those for science, engineering and medical graduates. Graduates can expect to be employed in diverse locations within Australia, but there are also opportunities worldwide.

Upon completion of your degree you can expect employment in: mineral exploration and mining; energy resources and exploration (eg, coal and petroleum industries); environmental consultancies; scientific organisations (eg, CSIRO); government agencies (eg, geological surveys); education (secondary and tertiary); and museums.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline You are advised to apply as early as possible Tuition fee
  • EUR 14900 Year (National)
  • EUR 14900 Year (International)
Start date February,June,October 2015 Credits 144
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode Online Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible Attendance No Attendance Teacher support Continuous support with feedback on request

Course Content

Course Aims

The aim of this three-year degree is to train students to be practising geoscientists with a broad range of practical and analytical skills. This degree will enable graduates to gain employment in a wide range of areas relating to the discipline, especially mining and exploration. Geoscientists typically work outdoors or in laboratories and in this degree we aim to train work-ready graduates through intensive field work and practical laboratories.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • have broad and current knowledge and an excellent understanding of the main concepts in geoscience (in addition to detailed knowledge relating to the major chosen in the degree) and how they link with other disciplines, such as environmental science, biology and chemistry;
  • obtain, analyse and effectively interpret various forms of geoscientific information (including physical samples) and apply the scientific method;
  • have developed skills that will provide the foundation for lifelong learning and career development, such as problem solving, information literacy, data collection and analysis, and communication with colleagues and the general public, and apply them in the workplace (e.g., industry or research) for the major chosen in the degree;
  • develop, evaluate and apply field and laboratory techniques (including the use of analytical equipment and related software) related to the discipline and have the ability to read, understand, and review critically the geoscientific literature (including various types of maps);
  • evaluate and discuss contemporary social and ethical issues relating to the discipline (especially mining and the use of Earth's resources from both community and industry perspectives) and make informed decisions and opinions on such matters; and
  • prepare oral reports and written documents in a standard scientific format.
  • Graduate Attributes

    Knowledge of a Discipline

    The Bachelor of GeoScience covers a wide range of topics across both historical and physical geology, in addition to coverage of other disciplines, especially physical geography and GIS. Students will receive knowledge from lectures, reading materials (including primary literature) and various online resources. They will obtain knowledge by direct experience in practicals and field excursions. Knowledge will be assessed in examinations for some units, and in online tests, practical tasks, oral presentations, essays and reports.

    Communication Skills

    Communication of information may include essays, literature reviews, practical or project reports and oral presentations, as well as online discussion boards and chat rooms. Students will be given advice on how to develop and use these skills and they will be assessed in some cases.

    Global Perspectives

    Most geological processes that operate on the surface and within the Earth are ubiquitous (especially plate tectonics). Many aspects of historical geology (e.g. extinction and evolutionary events) have also occurred on a global scale. This will be taught in most units (primarily via lectures and readings) and assessed through exams, online tests and written tasks (e.g. essays).

    Information Literacy

    Students will be assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written tasks, using books, journals and reliable online sources, as well as critically evaluate the information to generate a logical argument supported by evidence. Students will be taught to use electronic media (especially online databases) to search for information.

    Life-Long Learning

    The education received in this course will allow students to continue learning about geoscience from their own observations, reading and other media. Students will develop a range of life-long learning skills such as how to seek out new information and critically analysing such information. This course will stimulate students' intellectual curiosity and creativity.

    Problem Solving

    There will be a strong emphasis on careful observation and recording and applying logical, critical and creative thinking to problems. This leads to the application of the scientific method. During the practical sessions and field work, students will be instructed in, and practice, the relevant skills in approaching problems/tasks, deciding what sort of information is needed, getting that information, and then applying it appropriately. Problem solving skills will be assessed in the written tasks and discussions.

    Social Responsibility

    Students will be instructed on contemporary social and ethical issues relating to the geosciences (especially mining and the use of Earth's resources from both community and industry perspectives and the associated environmental and social implications) to make informed decisions and opinions on such matters.

    Team Work

    Some practical tasks and field activities may involve groups of a few students collaborating to collect data. Projects may also be conducted by small groups of students.

    English Language Requirements

    IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 79

    To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

    take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

    Requirements

    A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Rule Undergraduate Policy).

    Assumed knowledge is any two units of General Mathematics or Mathematics or Mathematics Extension.

    Recommended studies: Chemistry and/or Physics.

    Work Experience

    No work experience is required.

    Related Scholarships*

    • Academic Excellence Scholarship

      "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

    • Alumni Study Travel Fund

      Scholarships for students who are already attending the University of Reading.

    • Amsterdam Merit Scholarships

      The University of Amsterdam aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the European Economic Area can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

    * The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of New England.

    Funding

    The University offers a number of scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

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