Overview
Overview
Geology is the study of the Earth and its resources, and of the natural planetary processes that directly affect people. These processes include the formation of mineral and energy resources, geological hazards, climate change, and environmental protection and management.
In this course, you will gain a thorough foundation in theoretical geology – with emphasis on mineral, energy and groundwater resources and their environmental management – as well as the sustainable supply of resources for the decarbonising industry.
In your first year, you'll gain a foundation in geology, chemistry, mathematics, scientific communication and computer skills. Your second year focuses on the theoretical, laboratory and field skills required to understand geological processes.
In your third year, you can study the Applied Geology stream or the Mining Geology stream, and tailor your degree with units that emphasise specific applied aspects of geoscience.
Applied Geology
This stream is offered at Curtin Perth and Curtin Malaysia. It 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, resource estimation and process mineralogy.
Double degrees
You can study a Bachelor of Applied Geology with the Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) or the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).
How this course will make you industry ready
After two years of grounding in the fundamentals of geology, your final year will focus on application in the workplace. Depending on the specialisation you choose, you'll study minerals, petroleum, groundwater and environmental industries; and complete practical exercises that reflect the activities of industry professionals.
What jobs can the Applied Geology course lead to?
Careers
- Geologist
- Engineering geologist
- Environmental geoscientist
- Geochemist
- Hydrogeologist
Industries
- Environmental geology
- Carbon and hydrogen storage
- Groundwater extraction
- Resources exploration
- Mining
- Natural hazards and risk analysis
- Research and development
Further study
What you'll learn
- apply fundamental geological principles and concepts in theoretical, practical and vocational situations
- solve mineral and energy exploration, environmental and sustainability problems through creative thinking and the extrapolation, interpolation and analysis of geoscience information
- collate, synthesise, and visualise geoscientific data sets using digital technologies, and communicate this geological information to industry and community stakeholders concisely and accurately using written, visual, and verbal means appropriate to the situation.
- recognise the finite nature of Earth resources, and the need to manage and mitigate social and environmental impacts of resource exploration and extraction and geohazards
- recognise the need for sustainable use of Earth resources, and value environmental, indigenous and other community perspectives on geological activities
- collaborate with professionals across the minerals and energy value chain, prioritise safety, and recognise the corporate and ethical need for accurate exploration results
