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Home Study Undergraduate Extractive Metallurgy Major (BSc Science)
Electrical Engineering student working on a project
MJRU-EXMET

Extractive Metallurgy

Undergraduate major

Learn to manage the operation of metallurgical processing plants in an economical and environmentally responsible way.

This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.

See full course structure
  • ATAR
    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Extractive Metallurgy Major (BSc Science)
  • Credit
    600
See full course structure

Check the application deadline for the parent course

See full course structure

Why study Extractive Metallurgy 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

Please note, Science streams will no longer be taught from 2023. All Science streams will be replaced with specialisations - view the full list of specialisations here.

Extractive metallurgists extract and purify metals and other products from ores obtained through mining operations. They have a strong understanding of chemistry, environmental science and mineralogy.

In this course you will learn to develop, optimise and manage the operation of metallurgical processing plants in an economical and environmentally responsible way. These plants transform low-value raw materials into useful, high-value mineral and metal products.

You will cover the chemical, physical, economic, environmental and sustainable principles and practices for the extraction of metals from ores.

Your first year will be taught at our main campus in Perth, the second year in either Perth or Kalgoorlie, and the final year in Kalgoorlie, which can help you maximise your exposure to industry and potential future employers.

You can select from a large range of specialisations to study with this Science major. To see our full list of specialisations, visit curtin.edu/sae-special.

You can also study this course as part of a double degree program: Bachelor of Science (Extractive Metallurgy) and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering).

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information. 

How to apply

This major sits within the Bachelor of Science degree. To apply for this major, you will apply for the Bachelor of Science. In step 3 of the application process, you will be asked to confirm the major you wish to study.

Applying as an undergraduate student is easy. For information tailored to your situation, visit our easy to follow instructions to get your application started.

Ready to apply?

APPLY NOW

What jobs can the Extractive Metallurgy Major (BSc Science) lead to?

Careers

  • Metallurgist
  • Plant metallurgist
  • Process metallurgist
  • Processing consultant

Industries

  • Banking and finance
  • Minerals and mining
  • Research and development

What you'll learn

  • apply minerals and metallurgical scientific principles to metallurgical process operation
  • think critically and creatively to generate innovative solutions and apply logical an rational processes to analyse minerals and metallurgical technology practice
  • access, evaluate and synthesise minerals and metallurgical information from multiple sources
  • communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline of minerals engineering and metallurgy
  • use and apply technologies, recognising their advantages and limitations, when applied to minerals and metallurgical information
  • demonstrate responsibility and self-learning skills by applying critical reflection and being proactive
  • describe and apply international best practice standards in minerals engineering and metallurgical methods and technologies
  • demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in professional life
  • work ethically and professionally, both within a team and independently

Professional recognition

This course is recognised by the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

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

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or Physics ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

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.

  • STAT entry

    Not accepted.

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.

Other requirements and notes for this course

July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

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.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Not accepted.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or Physics ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

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

Other requirements and notes for this course

July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

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

    AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of Higher English language proficiency is required; or AQF Diploma; or AQF Advanced Diploma AND satisfied the prerequisites: Maths Applications, and Physics/Chemistry. The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with: Maths Applications ATAR; or MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or MATH1005 Pre-Calculus. The Physics prerequisite can be met with: Physics ATAR; or PHYS1006 Foundations of Physics. The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with: Chemistry ATAR; or CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry.

  • STAT entry

    Not accepted.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or Physics ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

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

Other requirements and notes for this course

July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

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

To switch into this course, you need to have met:

  • the admission criteria for minimum entry and the prerequisites.

The Maths Applications prerequisite can be met with:

  • Maths Applications ATAR; or
  • MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics; or
  • MATH1005 Pre-Calculus.

The Chemistry prerequisite can be met with:

  • Chemistry ATAR; or
  • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry.

The Physics prerequisite can be met with:

  • Physics ATAR; or
  • PHYS1006 Foundations of Physics.

Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have met:

  • the admission criteria for minimum entry; and
  • Maths Applications ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Applications ATAR; and
  • Chemistry ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Chemistry ATAR; or
  • Physics ATAR or unit/s assessed as comparable to Physics ATAR.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications ATAR and Chemistry ATAR or Physics ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

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

Other requirements and notes for this course

July intake: Course duration may exceed three years due to unit prerequisites.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

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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
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Fees and charges

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

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

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