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    MJRU-EARTH

    Earth Sciences

    Undergraduate major

    Get the expertise for a career in industries involved in sustainable use of Earth resources, energy transition, and climate and environmental solutions.

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    Course outline
    • ATAR

      ATAR

      The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is used to determine eligibility for places in university courses.
      Minimum ATAR 70
    • Qualification
      Earth Sciences Major (BSc Science)
    • Credit

      Credit

      A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
      200
    Course outline

    Select your preferred degree

    This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

    Bachelor of Science (Science) Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Science) Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Innovation
    Course outline

    Overview

    Overview

    Earth scientists are essential to meeting society's future challenges around climate and environmental change, 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.

    Earth Sciences is also available as a major in the Advanced Science (Honours) course.

    Double degrees

    You can extend your expertise and career opportunities by studying Earth Sciences as a double degree with Innovation or Law.

    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 course lead to?

    Careers

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

    Industries

    • Resources and mining
    • Environmental remediation and protection
    • Geological surveys
    • Earth sciences research

    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)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

      Mathematics Applications ATAR

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

      Earth & Environmental Science ATAR

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

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp grants additional ATAR points to help eligible students qualify for admission.

    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 and check that you meet any extra subject prerequisites (where applicable).

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate 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

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6

    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.

    Application Requirements

    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 Skills for Tertiary Admissions 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.

    Pathways

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate 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

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6

    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

    Application Requirements

    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.

    Pathways

    • TAFE entry

      To meet the entry criteria with VET studies you need to have: 

      1. AQF Certificate IV – Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required 
        or 

        AQF Diploma 
        or 

        AQF Advanced Diploma 
      2. Met the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite (or equivalent)

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate 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

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6

    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

    Application Requirements

    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.

    Curtin course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses at Curtin.
    Please check our general admission criteria.

    In addition, you need to have:

    1. Met the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite (or equivalent).

    Prerequisite Information
    The Mathematics Applications ATAR can be met with one of the following Curtin units:
    MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics
    MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus
    MATH1015 Linear Algebra 

    Higher education course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider.
    Please check our general admission criteria.

    In addition, you need to have:  

    1. Met the Mathematics Applications ATAR prerequisite (or equivalent)

    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

    Speaking

    6

    Reading

    6

    Listening

    6

    Overall band score

    6

    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

    Application Requirements

    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.

    FAQs

    You might find your answer in our frequently asked questions.

    Ask a question

    Submit your question via our online form and we’ll get back to you.

    Call us

    1300 222 888
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Visit us

    You’ll find Curtin Connect in building 102 on the Perth campus.
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    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

    Application Requirements

    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.

    Submit an enquiry CRL search

    Fees and scholarships

    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

    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

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    • Curtin course code: MJRU-EARTH
    • Last updated on: 22 April 2025

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