Courses Handbook 2006 - [Archived]

306799 v.1 Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)


BSc(Curtin), BSc(WAust)

This course is pending registration for International Onshore Students on Student Visas. Please contact the Curtin International Office to determine availability for International students.

Introduction

This double degree offered collaboratively with The University of Western Australia provides the ideal grounding in geophysical methods, as well as the computing requirements to allow the development of graduates skilled in computer applications for geophysics and improved visualisation of rock properties. Resources such as oil and gas, minerals and groundwater are commodities which are fundamental to our daily life. A good knowledge of rock types helps us in the search for these resources, which will become increasingly important in the future. Geophysics is an expanding science that uses a knowledge of the physical properties of rocks to remotely determine the rock type and structure beneath the surface. New technologies help us understand the three-dimensional shape of geology, which in turn helps us to understand the form of the rock and how the resources developed. In order to understand rock properties, technology is moving forward in a direction which allows improved three-dimensional visualisation of the rock and its physical properties. This requires geophysicists who are strong in computing with an application to developing visualisation technologies further.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

The double degree is a collaborative award with the University of Western Australia and some units will be studied on a cross institutional basis at the University of Western Australia. After four years of study, students will spend six months as an intern with a geophysical company.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

The course is four and a half years full-time or equivalent part-time study.

Course Organisation

This double degree is a collaborative award with The University of Western Australia. Students may enrol at either institution in the combined double degree. Units studied at the non-enrolling insitution are undertaken on a cross-institutional enrolment basis. Curtin University of Technology will award the Bachelor of Science (Geophysics) on satisfactory completion. The University of Western Australia will award the Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) on satisfactory completion.

Professional Recognition

Graduates qualify for entry to the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (USA), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Computer Society), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, the Australian Computer Society and could lead to membership of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, as well as the Geological Society of Australia.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Course Structure

Hrs/Wk

Credit

Year 1 Semester 1

1737 v.3   Particles and Waves 101 3.0 12.5
1738 v.4   Physical Measurements 101 2.5 12.5
302358 v.2 # Foundations of Information Technology 104 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
307506 v.1 # Foundations of Computer Science 123 (UWA) 4.0 25.0
7062 v.6 * Mathematics 101 5.0 25.0
  OR  
10926 v.5   Mathematics 103 5.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 1 Semester 2

1744 v.3   Structure of Matter 102 3.0 12.5
1745 v.5   Physical Measurements 102 2.5 12.5
307507 v.1 # Java Programming 124 (UWA) 4.0 25.0
307508 v.1 # Software Engineering 104 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
7063 v.6 * Mathematics 102 5.0 25.0
  OR  
7492 v.5   Mathematics 104 5.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 2 Semester 1

12297 v.2   Geophysics 101 2.0 12.5
1776 v.3   Surveying 141 2.5 12.5
302455 v.1   Geophysics 245 3.0 12.5
307509 v.1 # Object Orientated Programming 224 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
8361 v.5   Physics 221 2.0 12.5
8648 v.3 * Mathematical Methods 201 4.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 2 Semester 2

11914 v.2   Geophysics 246 3.0 12.5
12302 v.2   Electromagnetism 212 2.0 12.5
301995 v.5 * Communication Skills 116 2.0 12.5
302388 v.1 * Statistics for Engineers and Scientists 101 3.0 12.5
307510 v.1 # Data Structures and Algorithms 223 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
7905 v.5 * Mathematical Methods 202 4.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 3 Semester 1

12454 v.3   Geophysics 301 5.0 25.0
12456 v.3   Geophysics 305 5.0 25.0
307512 v.1 # Operating Systems 205 (UWA) 4.0 25.0
7031 v.5 * Geology 101 6.0 25.0
  100.0

Year 3 Semester 2

12458 v.3   Geophysics 302 5.0 25.0
302607 v.1   Geophysics 314 3.0 12.5
307513 v.1 # Software Engineering Design 200 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
7032 v.5 * Geology 102 6.0 25.0
9227 v.5   Global Geophysics 304 2.0 12.5
  100.0

Year 4 Semester 1

12455 v.3   Geophysics 303 5.0 25.0
12457 v.2   Geophysics 311 2.0 12.5
307514 v.1 # Professional Computing 307 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
307515 v.1 # Computer Networks 312 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
9188 v.6   Geophysics 313 2.0 12.5
  100.0

Year 4 Semester 2

302608 v.1   Geophysics 316 3.0 12.5
302654 v.1   Geophysics 318 2.0 12.5
307516 v.1 # Databases 313 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
307517 v.1 # Visualisation 413 (UWA) 3.0 25.0
3380 v.8   Project Geophysics 390 1.5 25.0
  100.0

Year 5 Semester 1

306805 v.1   Geophysics Project 348 1.0 100.0
307518 v.1 # Computing Practicum (UWA) 3.0
  100.0
# Designated Computer Science units undertaken at The University of Western Australia
* These units could be taught by UWA if there are timetabling clashes
 

Availability

Year Location   All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2006 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.



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