Outline
Outline
Geologists study how the Earth works, including the natural planetary processes that directly affect people, such as the formation of mineral and petroleum resources, geological hazards, climate change and environmental protection.
In this course you will gain a thorough grounding in theoretical geology with a practical emphasis on mineral, petroleum and groundwater resources and their environmental management.
The first year gives you a foundation in geology, chemistry, physics, maths, scientific communication and computer skills. The second year focuses on the theoretical, laboratory and field skills required to understand geological processes. The final year provides comprehensive coverage of one chosen stream: Applied Geology, Mining Geology or Petroleum Geology.
The first two years of the program are based in Perth. The third year is offered in Perth for the Applied Geology stream, Kalgoorlie for Mining Geology and Malaysia for Petroleum Geology.
Applied Geology
This stream comprehensively covers the breadth of applied geosciences including mineral and petroleum exploration and extraction techniques, groundwater resources and environmental geosciences.
Mining Geology
This stream combines studies of resource and field geology with mining systems and estimation to effectively explore, evaluate and extract mineral resources.
Petroleum Geology
This stream combines studies of sedimentary basins and petroleum geology with aspects of geophysics and petroleum engineering related to the evaluation, development and exploitation of oil and gas resources.
Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.
How this course will make you industry ready
After two years of grounding in the fundamentals of geology, your final year will focus on its application in the work place. You'll study minerals, petroleum, groundwater and environmental industries and complete practical exercises that mirror as closely as possible the activities undertaken by industry professionals.
What jobs can the Applied Geology course lead to?
Careers
- Geologist
- Geological engineer
Industries
- Environmental geology
- Groundwater extraction
- Mineral and petroleum exploration
- Mining
- Natural hazards and risk analysis
- Radioactive waste storage
- Research and development
What you'll learn
- apply fundamental geological principles and concepts in theoretical, practical and vocational situations
- solve geological problems using logical scientific methods and creative thinking
- synthesise geological data on a range of spatial and temporal scales to make interpretations that allow for scientific uncertainty
- communicate geological information concisely and accurately using written, visual, and verbal means appropriate to the situation
- employ new and established technologies to collect and interpret geological data, recognising their strengths and limitations
- acquire geological knowledge and expertise from a range of sources in a variety of situations
- appreciate international perspectives on geoscience and recognise the importance of global standards for collecting and reporting geological data
- recognise the need for sustainable use of earth resources, and value environmental, indigenous and other community perspectives on geological activities
- work ethically and professionally alone and as part of a team, complying with applicable legislation and managing time and other resources efficiently and effectively