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Earth scientist making notes
MJRU-EARTH

Earth Sciences

Undergraduate major

Gain the knowledge and skills for a career in industries involved in energy transitions, sustainable use of Earth resources, and climate and environmental challenges.

See full course structure
  • ATAR
    Minimum ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Earth Sciences Major (BSc Science)
  • Credit
    200
See full course structure

Check the application deadline for the parent course

See full course structure

Why study Earth Sciences at Curtin?

Top 1 %

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

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Get the Curtin edge

Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Global education

You’ll have access to a range of international study opportunities.

Outline

Outline

Note that from 2023, Science streams will be replaced with a range of Science specialisations, which offers you even more flexibility. View the list of specialisations here.

Earth scientists are essential to meeting society’s future challenges around climate and environmental change, the sustainable extraction of critical resources such as water, and minerals for new and emerging technologies.

Across a range of industries, Earth scientists use sophisticated instruments to determine the properties of Earth and planetary materials, and to help understand the evolution of the Earth and the controls and direction of its climate and biosphere.

In this course you will gain advanced knowledge in Earth sciences and learn how to apply that knowledge to scientific, social and ethical issues. You’ll also use digital technologies and learn to gather and interpret data that are relevant to Earth sciences applications and careers.

Within this major you can select from a range of specialisations to study. View the list of specialisations here.

How this course will make you industry ready

During your course you’ll use to use digital technologies and relevant industry methods of data acquisition and interpretation.

What jobs can the Earth Sciences Major (BSc Science) lead to?

Careers

  • Earth scientist
  • Environmental geoscientist
  • Geochemist
  • Geologist
  • Geotechnician
  • Hydrogeologist.

Industries

  • Resources
  • Environmental agencies
  • Research
  • Geological surveys.

What you'll learn

  • have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in Earth Sciences that is typically at a level that, whilst supported by advanced textbooks, includes some aspects that will be informed by knowledge of the forefront of Earth Sciences, GC1
  • can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to Earth Sciences, and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments (to both specialist and non-specialist audiences) and solving problems within Earth Sciences, GC2
  • understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in Earth Sciences using digital technologies, GC3
  • can gather and interpret relevant data within Earth Sciences to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues, including being aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with Earth Sciences, and how these impact upon the practice of Earth Sciences, GC4
  • recognise the need for sustainable use of Earth resources, and value environmental, indigenous and other community perspectives in Earth Science activities, GC5
  • display a high standard of professional behaviour, including effective time management, both independently and as a team member, GC6

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.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Earth & Environmental Science ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

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

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Earth & Environmental Science ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

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

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Earth & Environmental Science ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

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

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Earth & Environmental Science ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

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

6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
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

Please view the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

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

Apply now