Major structure
Overview
Overview
This major is available in the Bachelor of Science.
In the Geoscience major, you’ll explore the processes that shape our dynamic planet.
Major structure
The Geoscience major is made up of seven subjects (87.5 credit points) taken in your second and third year. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points. Level 2 subjects are usually taken in second year, and Level 3 subjects in third year.
To complete this major, you’ll need:
- At least 25 credit points of Level 2 major electives (Group A)
- Up to 12.5 credit points of Level 2 major elective (Group B)
- Up to 37.5 credit points of Level 3 major electives
- At least 12.5 credit points of Level 3 capstone
The rest of your degree will consist of a Level 1 science core subject, your choice of elective subjects in science, and breadth (non-science) subjects.
Further information
You can find detailed information about your major – including structure, subject availability, and participation requirements – in the Handbook.
You can also explore your study pathway and sample course plans through My Course Planner.
Sample course plan
View some sample course plans to help you select subjects that will meet the requirements for this major.
Geoscience start-year
Start-year intake
Year 1
100 pts
- Understanding Planet Earth – elective – ERTH10002 – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – Breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 2
112.5 pts
- Building Earth: Rocks, Minerals, Magmas – major – GEOL20003 – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – Breadth – 12.5 pts
- Earth's Surface Processes – major – EVSC20008 – 12.5 pts
- Investigating Earth's Structure – major – GEOL20002 – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- elective – Science Elective – 12.5 pts
- breadth – Breadth – 12.5 pts
Year 3
100 pts
Explore this major
Explore the subjects you could choose as part of this major.
Students must complete all required core subjects
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Applied Geoscience · 12.5 pts |
This subject teaches practical skills and applied knowledge for a range of careers in geoscience. It builds on an understanding of fundamental geological processes and systems and explores a range of topics including: resource exploration, responsible extraction of water and mineral resources, ore deposits, hazards, remediation, sustainability and infrastructure applications. The subject is based on four modules in sequence: 1. Mineral Futures, 2. Applied Geophysics, 3. Engineering Geoscience, 4. Environmental Geoscience and Water Resources. Each module includes background theory, topical discussion and practical classes, with a strong emphasis on case studies from past and present. One of the modules will include a one-day field trip which will focus on an ongoing remediation challenge in Victoria, and draws together the different aspects of the course. The course will bring together theoretical frameworks, active research and industry applications. |
| Field Geology · 12.5 pts |
This subject will provide students the opportunity to develop skills in field geology that are highly valued in the environmental, resource development, engineering, and mining industries. Students will learn to identify minerals, rocks, sediments, structures, and geomorphic features in the field and using remote sensing imagery, and to express them through geological maps, cross-sections and reports. Students will learn how to collate and interpret diverse geological observations and to use these data to develop models of geological histories across multiple time-scales. Students will gain a rich understanding of how geological mapping and other field methods can be used to inform decision-making across a wide array of contemporary challenges, including hazard identification, risk reduction, and sustaining future Earth. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips |
Students select subjects according to the major requirements
| Accordion | |
|---|---|
| Dangerous Earth · 12.5 pts |
An introduction to the study of natural hazards on the Earth, at various different spatial and temporal scales, their impact on human populations and principles of planning, response and mitigation. The course will cover hazards of geological and meteorological origin, as well as major global catastrophes such as those that may be produced by climate change. Topics to be covered include: Earthquakes and their consequences; Tsunamis and other coastal hazards; Volcanoes and volcanic eruptions; Land instability and mass movements; Flooding and flood hazards, Drought and bushfire hazards; Tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and tornadoes; Climate change and its implications for human populations; Managing and reducing the risks from natural hazards. At the end of this subject, students will have acquired: an understanding of the nature and causes of natural hazards, their distribution and predictability; a knowledge of how natural disasters impact on human populations and activities, and the kinds of responses that are possible; an appreciation of what can be done to manage and minimise the dangers posed by natural disasters. |
| Environmental Geoscience · 12.5 pts |
This subject examines anthropogenic perturbations in a range of environmental systems by determining changes to physical-chemical processes at the Earth’s surface. Case studies are presented discussing issues such as groundwater drawdown from mining, ocean acidification from rising CO2 in the atmosphere, acid mine drainage and the risks and benefits of geological CO2 storage and of unconventional gas production. The underlying processes are illustrated and the impacts are both qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, for example, by using a mass balance approach, reconstructing the groundwater flow field or by deriving imposed changes to chemical reactions and reaction rates at the Earth surface. Time scales of current perturbations are examined in the context of environmental changes in the geological past. |
| Past Climates: Icehouse to Greenhouse · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the Earth’s past and present climates, from billion year to hundred year time scales. The subject also deals with the wide range of causes of past climates and of climate change. Climate episodes discussed may include: Precambrian Snowball Earth, Gondwanan Glaciations, the Mesozoic Hothouse, global cooling over the last 20 million years and increasing aridity in Australia over the last 5 million years. The subject also covers the record of regular Ice Age cycles, abrupt climate change, global and regional climate variability of the past 1000 years, and natural and human factors contributing to modern climate change. We use climate ‘proxy’ records such as ice cores, tree rings, corals, sedimentary records and historical documents to identify more recent changes in the Australian region. |
| Earth's Surface Processes · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the dynamic processes which shape Earth’s current and ancient landscapes through an 8-day fieldtrip in south-eastern Australia. It will form a practical introduction into mapping the Earth using a range of techniques relevant to geoscience, geography and environmental science. The fieldtrip will focus on integrating remote sensing data, satellite imagery and detailed field observations to understand and map the evolution of the natural landscape. Earth surface processes and environments will be considered from geological timescales of millions of years to those operating in today’s landscape. Field exercises will explore the links between Earth history, landform evolution, soil development and the natural environment in foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Students will learn the basic methods used to gather large scale surficial and geological data including rock, fossil and mineral identification. Emphasis will be placed on the practical application of a range of disciplines including remote sensing, sedimentary processes, stratigraphy, physical volcanology, palaeontology, weathering/soil formation, geomorphology and hydrogeology. There will be a pre-trip introduction to the subject, as well as a post-trip workshop on the field report, including a remote sensing exercise. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips. |
| Geology of Southeast Australia · 12.5 pts |
This subject provides students with an introduction to the geological evolution of southeast Victoria, via a practical field experience. Students will develop skills in reconstructing the geology and history of the region and in the identification of the geological relationships between rock units in the field, including evidence for the nature of volcanic eruptions. Key formations such as the Ordovician shale, Permian tillite, Cretaceous sandstone and Tertiary limestone deposits will be examined to interpret their evolution. Students will learn to characterise the age and depositional environments of these units using fossils and sediments and will be introduced to geological methods used to evaluate the geomorphic evolution and tectonic activity of southeast Australia. |
| Investigating Earth's Structure · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the structure and dynamics of planet Earth. It focuses on the large-scale processes that control the different types of rock that make up our planet, where those rocks are found and how they change over geological time. The subject emphasises the formation and evolution of surface features such as mountain belts and basins. As such, this subject provides the essential theoretical and practical framework to understand the fundamental geological processes involved with the rock cycle, including the later modification of rocks through deformation and metamorphism. These topics provide a conceptual framework for later geoscience subjects. Lectures, practicals and fieldwork will cover three linked themes: (1) solid Earth geophysics, (2) large scale tectonics, its drivers and its links to the formation of different rock types, and (3) deformation and secondary structures in rocks. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips |
| Building Earth: Rocks, Minerals, Magmas · 12.5 pts |
How does our planet evolve over time? What is its interior like? These questions were first addressed by looking at rocks, and the study of rocks remains a vibrant field within the geosciences. In this subject you will discover the astonishing diversity and complexity of rocks that appear on Earth’s surface. You will learn to read the stories of planetary change that these rocks record–whether they formed during volcanic eruptions, at the hearts of mountain belts, or in ancient tropical seas. The Subject emphasises the practical scientific skills of detailed observation, accurate description, informative classification, and reasoned interpretation. You will develop these skills in the laboratory, and apply them during a field excursion to the Western Victoria Volcanics District. This subject involves the completion of a field trip, which will incur an incidental cost. Further information regarding any incidental field trip costs (as well as key information regarding the field trip) can be found via the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Field Trip website here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/study/field-trips |
| Tectonics and Geophysics · 12.5 pts |
This subject deals with structural geology, large scale tectonic processes and methods for extracting geological information from geophysical datasets. In the structural geology and tectonics component, students explore advanced aspects of tectonics to link deformation processes and features across a range of scales, including via field work. The subject will begin with a one-week pre-semester field trip to East Gippsland, where students will develop their geological mapping, regional geology and structural analysis skills. This field trip will also include intensive style teaching with a parallel lecture and practical program held on-site. In the geophysics component, students explore potential fields, focusing on the gravity and magnetic methods and how they can be used to understand geology. Students work with industry standard software (e.g. Geosoft - Oasis Montaj) which performs the maths in the background. Topics include: maps, projection systems, datums and GPS; theory, acquisition, processing and interpretation steps involved for gravity and magnetic methods; image enhancement and qualitative interpretation techniques. The field trip will take place in the weeks immediately prior to the normal commencement of classes for Semester 1. The estimated cost of the field trip is $380 but this may vary slightly at time of field trip. |
| Sedimentary Geology and Hydrogeology · 12.5 pts |
Earth’s sediments record over 4 billion years of environmental evolution and host our modern societies’ water resources. This subject gives a broad introduction to the sedimentary record of Earth’s history as well as groundwater systems in sedimentary aquifers. Topics covered include facies analysis and petrology of carbonate, terrigenous and chemical sediments; techniques used in stratigraphic analysis; sedimentary geochemistry and its applications; post-depositional processes, including diagenesis and weathering, that alter rocks after their formation; chemical interactions between minerals and groundwater in weathered rocks and weathering products; application of sedimentary geology to understanding sediment-hosted resources; characterisation of surface and groundwater systems; rock properties affecting groundwater flow; water balance; groundwater resource assessment; and groundwater supported ecosystems. |
| Geochemistry · 12.5 pts |
This subject will examine the role that geochemistry plays in Earth processes. It will begin with an exploration of the foundations of geochemistry, from the behaviour of elements to the analysis of elemental and isotopic compositions, integrating principles across chemistry and physics, and applying this to systems at all scales. We will explore the many ways in which geochemical data preserved in minerals, plants and animals can provide qualitative and quantitative insights into processes as varied as the formation of our planet, to the migration of past peoples, all the way to its use in modern forensics and medicine. We will see how geochemistry is applied across many contexts, including: paleoclimate reconstruction, green resource exploration, archaeological science, marine science and even medicine. The subject emphasises maturation of fundamentals and application to real-world scientific inquiry involving geochemical methods, e.g. critically evaluating several possible analytical approaches, and identifying/applying the most scientifically sound. Subject also refines student ability to navigate communication of highly specialised geochemical methods to scientific problems, simulating the experience of a modern working scientist in and outside academia. |
| Geobiology · 12.5 pts |
This subject explores the vast diversity of life that has inhabited planet Earth throughout its 4.5 billion year history and biology’s dynamic role in shaping Earth’s environments; from the inhospitable early Earth to the modern world we see around us. From the perspectives of energy flow, metabolism, species-species interactions, and evolutionary innovation, we explore the origin of life, photosynthesis and the oxygenation of the atmosphere, biogeochemical cycles, and life in extreme environments. Using paleontological principles we unravel the vast amount of information contained within fossils, including: paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on microfossil compositions; and broad evolutionary patterns of speciation and extinction spanning the appearance of the first biomineralized tissues half a billion years ago, to the rise and fall of dinosaurs and mammalian megafauna. The topics covered in this course also provide insight into a range of problems in the energy, minerals and environmental industry sectors. |