Bachelor of Science (Earth Science)

Overview

• Specialise in identifying and analysing earth materials, environments and geological processes relevant to industry.
• Play a key role in the search for fuels and minerals, solutions for climate change or marine and freshwater environments.
• Gain hands-on, practical skills and field experience using real-world examples and materials.
• Prepare for a range of careers within the resource or the environmental sector, from field geologist to research scientist, environmental scientist, or hydrologist.
• Work in environmental consulting or research, tackling geotechnical, groundwater contamination, natural hazards or climate change issues.

Details

The Earth is an amazing place, and for an earth scientist it offers a unique natural laboratory that covers both space and time.

Earth Science is critical for Australia’s future sustainable development as our natural resources are a major building block of the nation’s economy. Earth scientists (Geoscientists) play a leading role in finding, developing and managing these resources, as well as studying climate change and managing environmental issues, such as chronic water shortage, dry land salinity and coastal development.

An understanding of Planet Earth is fundamental to your career as a Scientist. Earth Science provides us with an understanding of Earth materials, the natural processes acting in and upon our planet, and its history. You will gain the skills needed to become a professional Earth Scientist with special emphasis on hands-on skills acquired through laboratory work and field studies for both resource exploration and management and environmental applications.

Why choose this course?

The Earth Science major at QUT has been designed to provide hands-on practical skills and field experiences using real-world examples and materials. The program provides the fundamental background for you to pursue a geoscience career and has particular strengths in the areas of– all these study areas are of particular importance to Queensland and key industrial sectors that underpin our economy.

Earth science is an exciting and fun science with many interesting and practical applications and a great number of travelling opportunities. Whether you enjoy working indoors or outdoors, if you are interested in understanding how the world works, then you will find Earth Science a rewarding area of study. Blending current research issues and problem solving with theory and industry-related, hands-on practicals, the earth science major provides you with a fundamental background to pursue a career in either the resource or the environmental sector.

Career outcomes

Employment opportunities are available across a variety of government organisations and consulting companies with work ranging from field geologists to research scientists, environmental scientists, and hydrologists. Exploration/mine geologists and environmental scientists are employed by mining and hydrocarbon exploration companies who require graduates with skills in underground geological mapping, evaluation of ore reserves, production control, or exploration for new mineral, oil or gas deposits, as well as rehabilitation of mined lands.

Earth scientists are in high demand in the energy sector (oil, gas, coal, geothermal) and exploration and mining industries. Many earth scientists find employment in environmental consulting companies tackling geotechnical, groundwater contamination, natural hazards or climate change issues. Earth scientists may work for government agencies such as CSIRO and Geoscience Australia doing applied research, or for state or local governments.

Graduates will be able to continue with postgraduate studies and develop a research career in Earth Sciences including volcanology, tectonics, geochemistry, sedimentary geology, palaeo-climate and landscape change.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership in a number of professional societies, such as the Geological Society of Australia, Australian Institute of Geologists and other overseas professional societies, and are encouraged to actively participate in these societies.

Studied at university or TAFE before?

Bachelor of Science is a new course, and we're only offering first year units in 2013.

This means if you're offered a place in 2013 and you're eligible for at least the first year of credit for prior learning (advanced standing), you'll be admitted to Bachelor of Applied Science (SC01).

Units

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

View all scholarships