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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.

305347 v.2 Bachelor of Science (Applied Geology), Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology)

BSc(Curtin), BSc(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 043265G
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 double degree provides students with an integrated education program in both exploration/applied geology and environmental biology. The program provides dual qualifications in these areas and provides graduates with unique opportunities to obtain employment in resource development and related land management fields involving natural resource management. Resource exploration and management frequently take place in arid environments and involve issues of restoration after mining, maintenance of biodiversity, eco-system management and rehabilitation of degraded and salt-affected landscapes. This course provides a knowledge of the geological/biological principles required for management of both living and non-living resources.


Professional Recognition

Graduates of the undergraduate degree in Applied Geology are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Geological Society of Australia. The degree has been accredited by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Graduates are also eligible for Associate Membership of the Australian Institute of Biology and the Environment Institute of Australia. Full membership becomes possible for graduates with honours or pass degrees after three or four years of professional practice.


Career Opportunities

Graduates will find employment opportunities in related fields of mineral exploration, mine management and environmental biology.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students may be required to pay for additional expenses whilst on fieldwork/clinical placements.



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.


Specifically applicants require one TEE mathematics subject and one TEE science subject OR At least Mathematics 2C/2D with one science subject desirable. STAT elements considered are E, V and Q. STAT applicants will be required to meet entry pre-requisites by completing enabling units which 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. There will be February intake only for the International students.


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
312357 v.1   Cell Biology 101 5.0 25.0
12165 v.2   Mathematics 133 4.0 12.5
307554 v.1   Science Communications 101 2.0 12.5
314533 v.1   Environment and Agriculture 100 4.0 25.0
7031 v.5 **   Geology 101 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 1 Semester 2
312242 v.1   Evolving Earth Systems and Palaeontology 102 5.0 25.0
313537 v.1   Biology 100 5.0 25.0
7032 v.5   Geology 102 6.0 25.0
314451 v.1   Introduction to Chemistry 180 6.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
312244 v.1   Mineralogy and Geochemistry 201 5.0 25.0
312247 v.1   Sedimentology and Stratigraphy 201 5.0 25.0
312396 v.1   Conservation Biology and Sustainability 201 5.5 25.0
8306 v.9   Quantitative Biology 201 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
312395 v.2 **   Ecology 200 3.0 25.0
312399 v.1   Ecotoxicology 202 4.0 25.0
312260 v.1   Introduction to Geophysical Mineral Exploration Methods 243 4.0 25.0
312248 v.1   Igneous Petrology 202 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 1
312140 v.1   Zoology 201 5.0 25.0
9770 v.9 **   Field Geology Techniques 291 2.0 25.0
9768 v.8   Structural Geology 201 5.0 25.0
312392 v.2   Botany 200 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 3 Semester 2
312400 v.1   Biomonitoring 302 5.0 25.0
312401 v.2   Animal and Plant Physiology 300 5.0 25.0
9776 v.9 **   Geological Field Mapping 292 3.0 25.0
8015 v.9   Metamorphic Petrology 202 5.0 25.0
  100.0
Year 4 Semester 1
312387 v.1 **   Environmental Impact Assessment 301 4.0 25.0
314680 v.1   Habitat and Landform Mapping 300 4.0 25.0
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   50.0
  100.0
Year 4 Semester 2
314016 v.2 **   Environmental Restoration 301 6.0 25.0
314536 v.1   Terrestrial and Marine Science Field Project 300 4.0 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
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
3496 v.8   Environmental Geoscience 302 5.0 25.0
312253 v.1   Regolith Geology and Mineral Exploration 302 5.0 25.0
9784 v.6   Geology Mapping Project 392 2.0 25.0

*    Attendance at weekly seminars is compulsory

**    Field trips form an essential part of these units and attendance is compulsory




Further Information

For further information about the program, contact The Department of Applied Geology on telephone: (08) 9266 7968, email: geology@curtin.edu.au or visit our website: http://www.geology.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.