Science - Geoscience University of Melbourne

Overview

With the Science - Geoscience program at University of Melbourne, you will unravel the planetary processes that control Earth’s core all the way through to our oceans and climate. 

This Science - Geoscience program at University of Melbourne will develop knowledge from lab- and field-based studies through to more theoretical aspects of rocks, minerals and their behaviour during Earth processes. Students will use these techniques to solve outstanding questions about how the Earth works, including the competing problems of resource consumption (water, minerals, energy) and the environment.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this Geoscience program, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge from a range of core disciplines in geology including structural geology, tectonics, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary petrology, field geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, mineralogy, geodynamics and palaeontology as developed from a sequence of specialist and integrated subjects
• Use petrology, geological mapping, geological modelling, and the critical evaluation of scientific literature, in order to make contributions in research, education or in the minerals, mining, petroleum or environmental industries
• Value the role of the cultures in science that are practiced in the investigation of geology, and specifically the role of observations, analysis, and experimental design, models of various types, theory, and mathematics
• Synthesize geological knowledge from a wide variety of sources and data types
• Apply knowledge and skills in order to develop an understanding of Earth history and climate change, at time scales ranging from decadal to billions of years as well as expertise relevant to finite natural resources like oil, gas, minerals and groundwater
• Work effectively in a team environment with an appreciation of cultural and discipline diversity that comes from a diverse of student cohort in group learning experiences and challenging field situations

• Communicate effectively with other scientists and with non-scientists.

Careers

Careers in geoscience can be wide-ranging and include 

• environmental consulting
• environmental management
• major infrastructure projects
• government
• research
• minerals exploration and working in the energy industry.