GC-MINX v.1 Graduate Certificate in Mineral Exploration Geoscience
GradCertMinExplGeosci(Curtin)
This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas
Course Overview
Graduate Certificates 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.
Career Opportunities
Economics and accounting graduates taking this course may find employment with stockbroking firms specialising in commodities, or in resource company administration. Although not designed as a pathway into a geoscience career, this course will assist those who already have a technical role in the resources sector to work in geology-related fields.
Additional Course Expenses
Students are responsible for their own transport to and from Kalgoorlie for the intensive face to face training session, and for all accommodation and food costs during these sessions.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. All Curtin courses have compulsory and other core capabilities that are essential for demonstrating the achievement of course learning outcomes and graduation. Students who are unable to meet or demonstrate those requirements, now or in later stages during their studies, may seek reasonable adjustments by the University wherever possible to facilitate alternative ways of achieving those requirements. If reasonable adjustments cannot be accommodated, Curtin will discuss study options to find an alternative course of study or an exit degree. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
Applicants require a recognised Bachelor Degree in any discipline. Alternatively, applicants with more than three years’ demonstrable experience working in a geoscience field may be considered for entry into the Graduate Certificate.
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/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm
Credit for Recognised Learning
Upon graduation, students are eligible to enrol directly in the Graduate Diploma in Mineral Exploration Geoscience and will be eligible for credit for recognition of prior learning to the value of 100 credits in that award.
Intermediate Awards
Intermediate award to GD-MINX Graduate Diploma in Mineral Exploration Geoscience
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to some Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Award Pathway (Specific)
The Graduate Certificate in Mineral Exploration Geoscience is an intermediate award to the Graduate Diploma in Mineral Exploration Geoscience
Course Organisation
Graduate Certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.
This course comprises four units in the field of Mineral Exploration Geoscience. 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. The next semester focuses on the origins and characteristics of Earth's mineral and energy deposits. Course materials are delivered online, supplemented by one intensive five-day field based session in Kalgoorlie in semester one. As this course is nested in the Graduate Diploma Mineral Exploration Geoscience students may use their Graduate Certificate as a stepping stone to the next award.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. Describe and classify minerals, rocks and Earth resources, and explain their formation using geoscientific concepts
2. Solve geoscience problems through creative thinking and data analysis, allowing for the uncertainty of geoscience information
3. Collate, synthesise, and visualise geoscientifc data, and communicate this information to industry and community stakeholders
4. Recognise the finite nature of Earth resources, and the social and environmental impacts of resource extraction and geohazards
5. Recognise different perspectives on ownership and extraction of Earth resources, including those of First Peoples
6. Collaborate with professionals across the minerals and energy value chain, and prioritise safety in all situations
Duration and Availability
This course is of one year duration part time study. The course is available online however the unit Field Geology and Maps is comprised of a 5 day face-to-face classroom and field delivery in Kalgoorlie as well as online activities. Part time and external study is only available to Australian resident students and international students studying outside Australia. One intake in February. 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# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Kalgoorlie Campus | Semester 1 | Y | ||||
| 2022 | 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 | |||||
| GEOL5005 | v.2 | Field Geology and Maps | 2.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOL5003 | v.2 | Geological Concepts | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| GEOL5007 | v.2 | Energy Resources | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| GEOL5006 | v.2 | Mineral Deposits | 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: http://students.curtin.edu.au/contact_offices.cfm. For Domestic Future Students: Curtin Connect Future Students, enquiries: https://future.connect.curtin.edu.au/ , Tel: +61-1300 222 888. For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au, Tel: +61-8-9266 7331.
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 time frame and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Disclaimer
Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.
In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or 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.
This material does not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.
Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication.
Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
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International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. As some information contained in this publication may not be applicable to international students, refer to international.curtin.edu.au for further information. Australian citizens, permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study, depending on course availability and in-country requirements.
