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Mineral Exploration Geoscience
GD-MINX

Mineral Exploration Geoscience

Graduate diploma

Switch your career to geology, and become skilled in exploring and evaluating mineral deposits and energy resources.

See full course structure
  • Qualification
    Graduate Diploma in Mineral Exploration Geoscience
  • Duration
    2 years part-time
  • Credit
    200
  • Location
    Curtin Kalgoorlie
See full course structure

Deadlines for applying direct to Curtin

Select your preferred campus:

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Semester 1, 2023

15 August 2022

Applications now closed!

Semester 1, 2024

Applications now open!

8 February 2024

See full course structure

Why study Mineral Exploration Geoscience at Curtin?

Cutting-edge

Learn to apply your studies to real industry challenges and situations.

Highly ranked course

Curtin is ranked 40th in the world for earth and marine sciences (QSWUR by Subject 2020)

Top 1 %

Curtin is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Outline

Outline

This course provides an introduction to the role of geology in the resource industry. It requires no prior technical knowledge.

The course may interest you if your work is associated with mining and petroleum, and if you would benefit from an understanding of how mineral and energy deposits are found and evaluated. 

You will become skilled in topics such as geological terminology, descriptions of ore bodies, exploration techniques including geophysics and geochemistry, as well as drilling and resource estimation techniques. 

You will also complete a geoscience exploration project.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information. 

What you'll learn

  • Apply geoscientific principles and concepts to improve exploration outcomes and meet society's growing demand for energy, metals and other raw materials
  • Solve mineral and energy exploration problems through creative thinking and the extrapolation, interpolation and analysis of geoscience information
  • Collate, synthesise, and visualise exploration data sets using digital technologies, and communicate this information to industry and community stakeholders
  • Recognise the finite nature of Earth resources, and the need to manage and mitigate social and environmental impacts of resource exploration and extraction and geohazards
  • Value different perspectives on mineral and energy exploration, showing respect for First Peoples and an understanding of their traditions and culture
  • Collaborate with professionals across the minerals and energy value chain, prioritise safety, and recognise the corporate and ethical need for accurate exploration results

The course was very broad, from the fundamentals of geology to the specific techniques used in mineral exploration. It was taught online; however, we did have the opportunity to spend one week per year in Kalgoorlie doing practical course work, which solidified concepts and helped me to learn.

Linda Yang

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Special consideration will be given to geoscience graduates with associate degrees or diplomas and several years of industry experience.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Domestic fee paying postgraduate

2023 Fee year:

$14,358*

Domestic

2024 Fee year:

$14,789*

Domestic

Fees are indicative only.

* Based on a first-year full-time study load of 100 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e. units selected and time taken to complete).

Important fee information

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Kalgoorlie flag

2023

Semester 1
  • Online

2024

Semester 1
  • Online

2025

Semester 1
  • Online

2026

Semester 1
  • Online

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right 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.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now