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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.

314594 v.1 Master of Engineering Science (Metallurgy)

MEngSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 078760D
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


Course Overview

Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.


This course provides graduates with detailed knowledge and understanding of core areas of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, including specialised research project work and report writing. It is suitable to those who wish to gain specialist knowledge and skills in extractive metallurgy and for graduates currently working within the minerals industry who wish to significantly upgrade their metallurgical knowledge with a view to furthering their careers in this field. Accordingly, this course is offered as a part-time full fee paying course, as well as on a full-time basis. All 500 level units are available for external study.


Career Opportunities

Career paths for the extractive metallurgy specialists include in-house specialists in mining and chemical companies, consultants, academics and researchers. Graduates may obtain employment within these sectors or to further their current careers in extractive metallurgy within the minerals industry.


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. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.


Minimum entry is a three year Australian recognised degree in extractive metallurgy or closely related discipline with a credit (65 per cent) average or above in the final year and at least two years of appropriate experience. Graduates with two years appropriate experience and a four year specialist extractive metallurgy degree or any three year degree and a Graduate Diploma in Metallurgy can expect up to 100 points credit for recognised learning. Applicants with other qualifications and experience may only be admitted with the consent of the appropriate senior academic.


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.


Applicants holding a GradDipMetall(Curtin) or a Curtin BEng (Minerals Engineering), or equivalent, can expect 100 credit points of credit for recognised learning.


Intermediate Awards

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate awards approved for this course:


Graduate Diploma in Metallurgy.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.


This course is structured so that the first year is essentially the Graduate Diploma program allowing students an exit award if necessary. The second year has some flexibility to allow students to match their educational background to their career aspirations in consultation with the Course Coordinator. The emphasis on research project work is consistent with the expected learning experience and outcomes at Masters level.



Duration and Availability

This full fee paying course is four semesters (2 years) full-time equivalent, available by part-time, external or full-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Kalgoorlie Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Kalgoorlie Campus Semester 1       Y  
2014 Kalgoorlie Campus Semester 2   Y      
2014 Kalgoorlie 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
5630 v.8   Engineering Metallurgy 561 3.0 25.0
5633 v.6 #   Mineral Processing 561 6.0 25.0
5641 v.6   Process Control 561 3.5 25.0
12580 v.5   Socio-Environmental Aspects of Mining 531 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
309537 v.4   Process Mineralogy 562 4.0 25.0
5631 v.8   Pyrometallurgy 563 4.0 25.0
5634 v.6 #   Mineral Processing 562 7.0 25.0
5640 v.8 #   Hydrometallurgy 562 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
314595 v.1   Process Design 662 2.5 50.0
4785 v.7 **   Research Project 662 6.0 25.0
  OR  
304965 v.3 **   Mine Management 532 4.0 25.0
  OR  
11364 v.3   Minerals Project 612 8.0 50.0
  75.0
Optional Units to Select from in Year 2 Semester 1 Hrs/Wk Credit
5632 v.8   Process Engineering 661 4.0 25.0
314596 v.1   Minerals Engineering 661 4.0 25.0
4784 v.7   Research Project 661 5.0 25.0
11714 v.4 *   Mining 601 16.0 12.5
11716 v.4 *   Mineral Exploration 601 8.5 12.5
11366 v.4   Research Literature Review 661 5.0 25.0

#    These units have on-site laboratory requirements

*    Block release

**    Students who select Mine Management 532 must also complete Research Project 662




Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Science and Engineering on telephone (08) 9266 4600, email ssse@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://scieng.curtin.edu.au


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.