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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.

193803 v.8 Master of Philosophy (Geology)

MPhil(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 061503E
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years


Course Overview

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


This research course is designed to provide opportunities to develop special interests in selected areas of geology.


Additional Course Expenses

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


Course Overview Note

It is a requirement that two-thirds of this course is undertaken by research and only one-third by coursework. Students should not enrol in this research course to receive the Graduate Diploma in Applied Geology but rather have undertaken it as a requisite for admission.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://research.curtin.edu.au/guides. Applicants require a bachelor degree with a strong academic performance and may also require relevant substantial work experience or bachelor honours degree (first or second class) or graduate diploma.


Specifically, applicants require a Graduate Diploma in Applied Geology. Alternatively, admission may be gained with an honours degree from an approved institution.


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 doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.


Specific Course Completion Details

Students without prior studies in research methods and statistical data analysis will be required to undertake relevant preparatory units. This will increase the stated course duration.



Course Organisation

Master degrees (research) require students to undertake an approved research program leading to a thesis for independent examination; they may include advanced level coursework studies.


The content of this research degree should be determined in consultation with the postgraduate Coordinator, Department of Applied Geology. Areas of study normally reflect research interests of staff and include igneous and metamorphic petrology, geochronology, structural geology, coal petrology, environmental geochemistry, sedimentology, petroleum geology, micropalaeontology, hydrogeology and regolith geology and geochemistry.



Duration and Availability

This course is by research and normally requires one to two years of full-time study or equivalent part-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 1   Y     Y
2014 Bentley Campus Research Term 2   Y     Y
2014 Miri Sarawak Campus Research Term 1 Y        
2014 Miri Sarawak Campus Research Term 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
99068 v.2   Master Thesis - Applied Geology



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.