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Bachelor of GeoScience

Why study the Bachelor of GeoScience at UNE?

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

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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.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2013 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Off Campus
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 2, On Campus

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Domestic Students

New domestic students to UNE apply to study on-campus through UAC or QTAC

For more information, click here

New domestic students to UNE apply to study off-campus direct to UNE

Former and current domestic UNE students apply to study on campus or off campus direct to UNE

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways
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CRICOS Code: 061319E
Official Abbreviation BGeoSc
Course Type Undergraduate
Commencing
Responsible Campus Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Course Duration
  • 3 Years Full-time
  • Up to 10 years Part-time
2012 ATAR 72.55
2012 OP 12
Fees CSP / International
Total Credit Points 144
Benefits

Students have the opportunity to include units offered by the University of Newcastle in their program of study.

Graduates of the BGeoSc are eligible to enrol for a range of Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and course work Master programs.

How to apply

New domestic students to UNE apply to study on-campus through UAC or QTAC

For more information, click here

New domestic students to UNE apply to study off-campus direct to UNE

Former and current domestic UNE students apply to study on campus or off campus direct to UNE

For more information, click here

International students apply direct to UNE through International Marketing and Pathways

For more information, click here

Intensive Schools

Intensive mandatory schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.
Entry 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.
Additional Requirements

For students without the recommended background knowledge, the Faculty offers a Foundation unit in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
Advanced Standing

Advanced standing may be granted on the basis of previous study completed at recognised tertiary institutions.
Honours

There is no Honours year for the Bachelor of GeoScience, however, well-qualified graduates may apply to complete the Bachelor of Science with Honours. BSc(Hons) graduates who achieve the appropriate level of Honours are eligible to apply to enrol for a research Master degree or the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Scholarships

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

Straw (BCC 51)
Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These Course Rules & Plans are ONLY to be used if you Commenced, Transferred or Changed Versions in the Bachelor of GeoScience in 2013.

Admission to Candidature

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

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing will not be granted for units SCI395 or WORK300.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 60 cps
ONE Major 84 cps
Total 144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Majors

Fossil Fuels
Mineral Deposits
Remediation

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements including one major shall be awarded the Bachelor of GeoScience.

Exit Pathways

Students who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Diploma in The Sciences on completion of 48 credit points.
Students who discontinue their studies in the course may be elibible to exit with the Advanced Diploma in The Sciences on completion of 72 credit points.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.

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:
  1. 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;
  2. be able to obtain, analyse and effectively interpret various forms of geoscientific information (including physical samples) and apply the scientific method;
  3. 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;
  4. be able to 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);
  5. be able to 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
  6. be able to 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.
 

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