MJRH-ADESC v.2 Earth Sciences Major (BAdvSci) (Honours)

This major/stream is part of a larger course. Information is specific to the major/stream, please refer to the course for more information.

This honours level major provides a flexible and personalised approach to studying earth sciences with students able to explore the field through opportunities for immersive research experiences, industry placement and team-based projects. The major culminates in a personalised capstone experience. This major is part of the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours), a course designed for high performing students to pursue their interest in Science through a core of research, leadership and entrepreneurship. It provides a flexible and personalised approach to studying Earth Science with students able to explore the field through for-credit immersive research experiences and interdisciplinary team-based projects. The major culminates in a capstone experience in which students will have the opportunity to pursue Earth and Planetary science projects that may be based anywhere from pure research right through to translational (entrepreneurial) science. Earth scientists are essential to the resources and environmental industry and use sophisticated instruments for the analysis of earth and planetary materials. The Earth Science Major provides a body of knowledge in earth sciences and a range of skills necessary for a career in wide ranging industries dealing with earth materials. These skills are gained in Curtin’s Earth Science research groups and related laboratories that are amongst the best equipped in Australia.

Career Opportunities

Honours graduates have demonstrated an ability to work independently, to plan and implement investigation, to meet project deadlines, and to communicate information to a professional standard. For this reason, many employers of Earth Science professionals have a preference for honours graduates, and some employers will only consider graduates with an honours degree. Graduates from the Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) have the added advantage being able to evidence the development of high level discipline, leadership and entrepreneurship skills through engagement with industry and research groups throughout their course. Examples of career opportunity include geologist, hydrogeologists, environmental geoscientist, geochemist. Roles may be in research and development, technical services, and education in a wide range of fields, including geoscientists in mineral exploration and mining companies, petroleum exploration, environmental agenices, state geological surveys, research organisations.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.

Course Overview Note

This course has some units which include compulsory field trips.

This major consists of core Earth Science units, a set of core units focused on the development of research and leadership skills and attributes, and a final year capstone experience. In addition there is an elective stream that enables the opportunity to study further units in geology, environmental science, mathematics, computing or a minor in a humanities discipline.

Major/Stream Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the nature of science, its methods and processes, and apply advanced scientific principles and concepts to contribute new knowledge in Earth Science

2. analyse challenging and multi-faceted problems in Earth Science using practical and theoretical methods to find solutions that integrate new and established knowledge

3. access and make judgements on the value and reliability of existing Earth Science data, and use them to plan, conduct and communicate their own research

4. communicate approaches, ideas, findings and solutions concisely and coherently to professional audiences

5. employ appropriate technologies to address complex research questions in Earth Science, recognising their strengths and limitations

6. demonstrate intellectual independence and take advantage of continuing education and professional training opportunities in Earth Science

7. consider Earth Science problems from a global perspective and demonstrate compliance with international ethical and professional standards

8. work collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues from a range of backgrounds and recognise the cultural issues that impact research in Earth Science

9. work independently and in teams as a research leader or collaborator, managing time and other resources efficiently and effectively

Duration and Availability

This course is four years full-time or equivalent part-time study. Two intakes are offered to domestic students each year in February and July. As the availability of some units is limited to specific semesters those students commencing mid-year might need to study part-time for one or more semesters and usually will not be able to complete the major within the expected time to complete. International students admitted February intake only.

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 2 FULL YEAR - HONOURS

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 3 FULL YEAR - HONOURS

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 3 SEMESTER 2

YEAR 4 FULL YEAR - HONOURS

YEAR 4 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 4 SEMESTER 2

* Field trips form an essential part of these units and attendance is compulsory