2019 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) (Geology) | 2019

In this course you will combine fieldwork, practical experience and research to develop knowledge of the composition of Earth and its resources and the processes that have impacted, moulded and continue to influence Earth systems. You will learn how to apply geological techniques (including geological and spatial mapping), and the identification of minerals, fossils, and rocks to understand the structure of the Earth and the location of its natural resources. This will equip you with the required knowledge of current issues in Geology and enable you to propose strategies and solutions to address these problems.

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this major students will be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the trends, processes and impacts that shape the Earth and its environment including local, national, global, cultural, Indigenous and spatial perspectives. 
  2. Critically evaluate information and data to assess scientific methods and frameworks in geological sciences.  
  3. Develop hypotheses and experiments to test against evidence-based scientific facts, laws, principles and evidence. 
  4. Identify and articulate real world problems derived from the geological sciences. 
  5. Apply knowledge and appropriate techniques, including those associated with fieldwork, to evaluate possible solutions to real world problems and defend choice of solution against alternatives. 
  6. Locate, synthesise and evaluate data, information, results and literature pertaining to geological sciences using appropriate methods, measurements, tools and technologies.
  7. Communicate geological perspectives and knowledge effectively to a range of audiences using appropriate technologies and communication skills. 
  8. Demonstrate ethical, professional, public and personal conduct and capacity to reflect on and direct own learning and practice and participate constructively in decision-making within the context of geological science.
  9. Independently plan and execute a research project in regard to Geology. 

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Dean's Scholar) (Geology), a candidate must successfully complete at least 192 credit points, in accordance with the table below.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
EESC101 Planet Earth 6 Autumn
EESC103 Earth's Dynamic Surface 6 Autumn
EESC102 Earth's Interconnected Spheres 6 Spring
EESC105 Introductory Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
Total for major at Year 1 24
Recommended Electives
MATH151 General Mathematics 1A 6 Autumn
SCIE103 Climate Change 6 Spring
Year 2
EESC201 Earth's Inferno 6 Autumn
EESC207 Advanced Geospatial Analysis 6 Autumn, Spring
EESC209 G-cubed: Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics 6 Spring
EESC250 Field Geology 6 Summer 2019/2020
Total for major at Year 2 24
Recommended Electives
EESC203 Biogeography and Environmental Change 6 Autumn
EESC202 Shaping Earth's Surface 6 Spring
Year 3^
EESC320 Capstone:Earth and Environmental Sciences 6 Autumn, Spring
EESC321 Plate Tectonics, Macrotopography and Earth History 6 Autumn
EESC326 Resources and Environments 6 Spring
EESC332 Sedimentology, Stratigraphy and Palaeoenvironments 6 Autumn
Total for major at Year 3 24
Recommended Electives
EESC323 Fluvial Geomorphology and Sedimentology 6 Autumn
EESC322 Coastal Environments: Process and Management 6 Spring
EESC328 Dung, Death and Decay: Modern scientific methods in archaeology 6 Autumn
EESC331 Changing Global Environments 6 Spring
Year 4
Select either the full-time (48cp) or 48cp of the equivalent part-time subject (2 x 24cp) option below.
EESC401 Earth and Environmental Sciences Honours Full-time 48 SMAH Annual, SMAH Annual 2019/2020
EESC407 Earth and Environmental Sciences Honours (Part-Time) 24 SMAH Annual, SMAH Annual 2019/2020
Total for major at Year 4 48
Total for major: 120
Plus elective subjects chosen from the Science or General Schedules: 72
Degree Total: 192

* Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent) normally in the first year.

^ Students interested in a career in Geology are urged to take more than the minimum required 24 credit points of 300-level EESC subjects. A graduate with 30 credit points of 300-level EESC subjects has a more comprehensive Geology degree.

Please click the subject codes in the above table for information on sessions of offer for each subject at different locations. For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Other Information

For further information please email: smah-students@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 8 February, 2019