GD-MINX v.1 Graduate Diploma in Mineral Exploration Geoscience
GradDipMinExplGeoSc(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Course Overview
Graduate Diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.
This course provides an introduction to the concepts and techniques used by geologists and others in exploring for and evaluating mineral and energy deposits. It assumes no prior geological knowledge, and is well suited for those who are already employed by or interact with the resources sector in finance, investment, administration or non-geological technical roles, and wish to gain a better understanding of the geoscience behind mineral and energy exploration projects.
Additional Course Expenses
Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students are responsible for their own transport to and from Kalgoorlie for the two intensive face-to-face training sessions, and for all accommodation and food costs during these sessions.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Graduate Diploma are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
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 some Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Organisation
Graduate Diplomas contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.
The first semester of this course provides an introduction to fundamental geological concepts and a number of basic skills including rock and mineral identification, field geology and the interpretation of geological maps and cross sections. Subsequent semesters focus on the origins and characteristics of Earth's mineral and energy deposits, and the techniques used to explore for these deposits and assess their size and value. Course materials are delivered online, supplemented by two intensive five-day field based sessions in Kalgoorlie, one in each year of the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply fundamental geoscientific principles and concepts to mineral and energy exploration
2. solve mineral and energy exploration problems using logical geoscientific methods and creative thinking
3. synthesise geoscientific data to infer the nature and origin of mineral and energy deposits, allowing for gaps and uncertainties in geoscientific data sets
4. communicate geoscientific information to a high standard, using written, visual, and verbal means appropriate to the situation
5. employ appropriate technologies to collect and interpret geoscientific data, recognising their strengths and limitations
6. acquire new geoscientific data and expertise independently from a range of sources and professional situations
7. collect and report geoscientific data using national and international standards and conventions
8. recognise the need for sustainable use of Earth resources, and value environmental, indigenous and other community perspectives on mineral and energy exploration
9. work ethically and professionally alone and as part of a team, complying with applicable legislation and managing time and other resources efficiently and effectively
Duration and Availability
This course is available on a part-time basis, externally only. There is one intake in February at the start of the academic year. Mid-year entry is not available because first semester units provide essential background knowledge and skills for all subsequent units.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Kalgoorlie 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.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| GEOL5003 | v.1 | Geological Concepts | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOL5005 | v.1 | Field Geology and Maps | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| GEOL5006 | v.1 | Mineral Deposits | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOL5007 | v.1 | Energy Resources | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| GEOL5004 | v.1 | Applied Geochemistry | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOP5000 | v.1 | Applied Geophysics | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| GEOL5008 | v.1 | Mining and Exploration Geology | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOL5009 | v.1 | Geoscience Exploration Project | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
Further Information
If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas:
For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details:
Handbook
The Courses Handbook is the repository of Curtin University ("Curtin") course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavours to keep this handbook up to date, information on this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the: course structure and contents, student assessment, tuition fees and to: withdraw any course or its components which it offers, impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or vary arrangements for any course without notification via the website.
For course and enrolment information please visit our Future Students website.
