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MJRU-METAL

Extractive Metallurgy

Undergraduate major

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

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

Check the application deadline for the parent course

See full course structure

Why study Extractive Metallurgy at Curtin?

Cutting-edge

Graduate ready to work in environments where research and discovery abound.

Professional recognition

Professionally recognised by the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Top 1 %

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

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.

Extractive Metallurgy

Outline

Outline

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

Your first year of study will be at our main campus, Curtin Perth. You will complete your second year at Curtin Perth or Curtin Kalgoorlie, and your final year will be at Curtin Kalgoorlie, which can help you maximise your exposure to industry and potential future employers.

This major sits within the Bachelor of Science (Science) degree.

Double degree options
You can study a Bachelor of Science (Extractive Metallurgy) with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)

How this course will make you industry ready

Curtin has well-equipped laboratories for hands-on training, and there are excellent vacation work opportunities and graduate employment programs.

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

Further study

What you'll learn

  • have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in metallurgy 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 metallurgy, GC1
  • can apply their knowledge and understanding in a manner that indicates a professional approach to metallurgy, and have competencies typically demonstrated through devising and sustaining arguments (to both specialist and non-specialist audiences) and solving problems within metallurgy, GC2
  • understand the constructs of the scientific method and apply these principles in metallurgy using digital technologies, GC3
  • can gather and interpret relevant data within metallurgy to inform judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues, including being aware of the diversity of international perspectives associated with metallurgy, and how these impact upon the practice of metallurgy, GC4
  • understand and appreciate cultural diversity and how it impacts on the practice of metallurgy, GC5
  • display a high standard of professional behaviour, including effective time management, both independently and as a team member, GC6

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

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications 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

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications 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

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications 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

  • Minimum ATAR 70

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Applications 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.

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