Applied Geology

Outline Outline

Geology is the study of the Earth and its resources, and of the natural planetary processes that directly affect people - such as the formation of mineral and energy resources, geological hazards, climate change and environmental protection and management.

In this course you will gain a thorough grounding in theoretical geology with a practical 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, maths, scientific communication and computer skills. Your second year focuses on the theoretical, laboratory and field skills required to understand geological processes.

The first two years of this course are based at Curtin Perth. In your third year, you can study the Applied Geology stream at Curtin Perth or the Mining Geology stream at Curtin Kalgoorlie, and select units to tailor your final year of study. These units emphasise specific applied aspects of geoscience.

Applied Geology

This stream covers the breadth of applied geosciences, including mineral and petroleum exploration and extraction techniques, groundwater resources and environmental geosciences. It is offered at Curtin Perth and Curtin Malaysia.

Mining Geology

This stream combines studies of resource and field geology with mining systems, resource estimation and process mineralogy. The final year of this course is undertaken at Curtin Kalgoorlie.

Double degrees

You can study a Bachelor of Applied Geology with either a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology) or Bachelor of Commerce (Finance).

See our handbook for more course information.

How this course will make you industry ready

This is a hands-on, practical course that reflects industry practices. 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 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