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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

303491 v.4 Bachelor of Science (Geographic Information Science), Bachelor of Science (Applied Geology)

BSc(Curtin), BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 038837G
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 4 Years


Course Overview

Bachelor double degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in more than one discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.


This four-year double degree program combines studies in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) and Applied Geology. It develops graduates with unique capabilities to obtain employment in the resource development or environmental management industries including mining and mineral exploration, ore body assessment and management, environmental management, as well as other employment areas related to GIScience and geology. Resource development and environmental management increasingly rely upon the understanding and modelling of large quantities of two and three-dimensional data of surface and sub-surface features. Because underground features such as ore bodies, groundwater zones and pollution plumes are hidden deep in the ground, computer visualisation and analysis approaches are important in assisting decision making processes. As a result, this course provides a thorough knowledge of geological principles combined with the information technology and GIScience skills related to data analysis and modelling. A double degree program in GIScience and a Bachelor of Social Science (Geography) is also available. A separate entry for this double degree is included in this handbook.


Professional Recognition

Graduates of the Applied Geology component are eligible for membership to the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Geological Society of Australia. Graduates may also obtain membership to the Spatial Sciences Institute.


Additional Course Expenses

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



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au and include flexible entry pathways.


One TEE Mathematics subject or at least Mathematics 2C/2D Mathematics 3C/3D desirable. STAT elements considered are E and Q. STAT applicants will be required to meet entry requirements by completing enabling units. This study may extend the duration of the course.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to a bachelor degree with honours and some graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Course Entry/Completion Note

Students will normally be expected to have attained a higher Tertiary Entrance Rank than is required for both single degrees.



Course Organisation

Bachelor double degrees include a combined degree study program leading to two awards. The duration of the double degree may vary among disciplines, but typically requires less time to complete than if the two undergraduate degrees were studied separately.


Students enrolled in the double degree program may elect to transfer to a single degree course in one of the two disciplines. In this event the relevant Head of Department shall determine the amount of credit to be transferred to the single degree.



Duration and Availability

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


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   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.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
Year 1 Semester 1
4536 v.6   Geographic Information Systems 100 4.0 25.0
305639 v.1   Mathematics 135 4.0 25.0
7031 v.5   Geology 101 5.0 25.0
314451 v.1   Introduction to Chemistry 180 6.0 25.0
  OR  
314448 v.1   Principles and Processes in Chemistry 100 6.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
311054 v.1   Mathematics 146 5.0 25.0
314392 v.1   Geographic Information Analysis 210 4.0 25.0
302531 v.2   Geospatial Mapping 105 3.0 12.5
7032 v.5   Geology 102 6.0 25.0
307554 v.1   Science Communications 101 2.0 12.5
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
312247 v.1   Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 201 5.0 25.0
302318 v.2   Spatial Computations 100 4.0 25.0
312244 v.1   Mineralogy and Geochemistry 201 5.0 25.0
8920 v.6   Cartographic Statistics 100 4.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
312248 v.1   Igneous Petrology 202 5.0 25.0
10424 v.3   Coordinate and Mapping Systems 210 4.0 25.0
12037 v.5   Spatial Database Systems 110 4.0 25.0
312242 v.1   Evolving Earth Systems and Palaeontology 102 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
314393 v.1   Spatial Data Representation 210 4.0 25.0
9770 v.9   Field Geology Techniques 291 2.0 25.0
7073 v.8   Applied Cartography 200 4.0 25.0
9768 v.8   Structural Geology 201 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
310045 v.4   Web Mapping 210 4.0 25.0
310083 v.5   Geographic Information Systems Programming 210 4.0 25.0
8015 v.9   Metamorphic Petrology 202 5.0 25.0
9776 v.9   Geological Field Mapping 292 3.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 4 Semester 1
10423 v.6   Remote Sensing 210 4.0 25.0
314395 v.1   Geospatial Analysis 310 4.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Year 4 Semester 2
302527 v.2   Spatial Modelling 310 4.0 25.0
311370 v.2   Spatial Sciences Project 430 9.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 4 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
11916 v.3   Basin Analysis and Energy Resources 301 5.0 25.0
305358 v.2   Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology 301 5.0 25.0
9780 v.6   Field Mapping of Sedimentary Basins 391 2.0 25.0
9782 v.7   Ore Deposits 301 4.0 25.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 4 Semester 2 Hrs/Wk Credit
11917 v.3   Tectonics and the Dynamic Earth 302 5.0 25.0
312253 v.1   Regolith Geology and Mineral Exploration 302 5.0 25.0
3496 v.8   Environmental Geoscience 302 5.0 25.0
9784 v.6   Geology Mapping Project 392 2.0 25.0



Further Information

See http://www.spatial.curtin.edu.au. Contact the Department of Spatial Sciences on (08) 9266 7566 or email spatial@curtin.edu.au. See also Geographic Information Science, Surveying and Mine and Engineering Surveying.


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.