Earth Sciences (Advanced)

Earth Science deals with complex systems and processes that shape our planet.  Pressing issues such as the safe supply of water, resources and energy, climate change, sea level rise as well as natural hazards are all intimately related to Earth Sciences. Courses from different Earth Science disciplines and training on how to gather data and interpret them are offered. An extensive research project under expert supervision provides the opportunity to gain a wide range of knowledge and skills that are relevant for employment in industry, government agencies, education as well as further University studies. 

Career Options

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Understand advanced concepts in Earth Sciences and relate them to a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts
2. Apply knowledge acquired in the coursework to their research project
3. Acquire independently data and evaluate and interpret obtained datasets  
4. Formulate working hypotheses and design methods to test these
5. Compile a major body of research in a written report and present results to an expert audience.
6. Communicate effectively with university staff, peer students and the wider community on Earth Science topics.

The Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

A minimum of 48 units from completion of the following coursework component:

6 units from the completion of EMSC8017 Research Methods and Proposal

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

EMSC8022 Analytical techniques

EMSC8023 Data analysis

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

EMSC8018 Advanced Water and Marine Geosciences

EMSC8019 Advanced Earth Physics 

EMSC8021 Advanced Geochemistry, Petrology and Tectonics 

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

EMSC6014 Sedimentology & Stratigraphy

EMSC6015 Chemistry of Planet Earth

EMSC6017 Rocks and Minerals

EMSC6019 Geobiology and the Evolution of Life on Earth

EMSC6021 Fundamentals of Climate System Science

EMSC6023 Marine Biogeochemistry

EMSC6024 Magmatism and Metamorphism

EMSC6025 Groundwater

EMSC6027 Palaeoclimatology and Climate Change

EMSC6028 Coastal Environmental Earth Science

EMSC6030 Structural Geology and Tectonics

EMSC6031 Introduction to Structural and Field Geology

EMSC6032 Melting polar ice sheets, sea level variations and climate change  

EMSC6040 Seminar A 

EMSC6041 Seminar B 

EMSC6107 The Blue Planet: an introduction to Earth system science

EMSC8014 Special topics in Earth Science

EMSC8706 Introduction to Natural Hazards

EMSC8707 Understanding Geological Hazards

A minimum of 36 units  from the completion of units from completion of the following research component

EMSC8030 Research Project, which must be completed more than once in consecutive semesters

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 48 units attempted in order to remain enrolled in the Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced).

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 48 in the same teaching period in which the 48th units is attempted, exactly 48 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from courses in descending order of marks.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark will be transferred to the Graduate Diploma of Science.

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with an average mark of at least 70% and at least eight courses in cognate disciplines, and the approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for Students.

Applicants with a Bachelor degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (1 semester full-time) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (1 year full-time) of credit.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% average mark in the first 48 units of coursework or have the approval of the supervisor for the research project will be transferred to the Graduate Diploma of Science.

Cognate disciplines

Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Marine Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

New students in this program are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Visit the following website for further information: http://cmbe-cpms.anu.edu.au/study/2015-commonwealth-supported-places