Geoscience is the study of our dynamic planet and aims to understand the origin and evolution of Earth, its ancient environments and climates, natural hazards and the formation of resources including petroleum, mineral deposits and groundwater. Knowledge of past and present earth processes is fundamental for predicting future changes in environments and climate as well as contributing to the management of vital resources. This course develops your abilities to gather and interpret geological information for a wide range of applications. With the majority of Australia’s mineral and petroleum resources found in Western Australia, UWA is in a prime location for you to strengthen your geoscientific knowledge and skills in gathering and interpreting geological information for a wide range of applications. The structure and content of this degree lets you choose coursework units across a range of geoscience subdisciplines depending on your career aspirations, including fieldwork in Australia and overseas, as well as the possibility of undertaking a research project working with internationally recognised Earth Science staff.

Employment opportunities are in the resources industries (minerals, geothermal, and groundwater) or research fields such as planetary geology, volcano or earthquake hazard prediction.

Upon completion of this degree, you can work as a geologist, hydrogeologist; geological surveyor; research scientist or work as part of a multi-discipline environmental team for rehabilitation work. You could also work in the fields of Policy and Natural Resource Management. Other career options include economic geologist or physical geographer.

Additional employment opportunities exist in government agencies dealing with resources or environmental companies and agencies. Many graduates continue to develop their specialist skills in industry or government agencies around the world, while others join academic institutions.