Bachelor of Science (Geology)
Course summary
Geology is the scientific study of the physical structure and composition of the Earth, and the tectonic processes that shape our planet. Geologists play a critical role in the discovery, sustainable extraction and management of Earth’s resources.
The Bachelor of Science major in Geology combines a range of skills involving fieldwork, laboratory techniques and problem-solving skills to address key questions relating to our planet. These range from mapping the Earth from space, to monitoring natural hazards, to finding critical metals required for high-tech industry and renewable energy storage.
This degree will provide numerous potential career pathways as exploration and resource geologists in mining and energy industries, geohazard mitigation, in environmental remediation (e.g. waste management, water), geotechnical engineering, government, and cutting-edge research in universities.
Course information
Study area
Science
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
742
RSU SCORE
75
IB Score
26
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Delivery
DL
CODE 1
003283D
RSU CODE
757621
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.
Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.
ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.
admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.
Early Admission
Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.
BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).
Guaranteed entry selection ranks
The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an Selection Rank of 75 or an IB of 26. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.
Adjustment factors
Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.
Other Admission Criteria
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.
WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.
FEES
Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
70 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $15,864 (2020) | $95,184 (2020) |
Rainstar | DL | $15,864 (2021) | $95,184 (2021) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 27 July 2020 Applications Close
|
2021 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 23 - 25 February 2021 Applications Close
*Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session. Applications received after these dates will continue to be assessed for the requested session until 3 weeks prior to session (international), and start of session (domestic). Late applications may be assessed for future sessions if an outcome for the requested session is not possible. |
2021 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 19 July 2021 Applications Close *Complete applications (with all required documentation) received by these dates will receive an outcome prior to the start of session. |
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of the principles and concepts associated with a specific discipline area of science. | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate technical and cognitive skills in locating, discriminating and explaining information in relation to an area of science. | ||||||
| 3 | Exercise critical thinking and problem solving. | ||||||
| 4 | Demonstrate how knowledge and skills in an area of science can be applied in scientific or scholarly works. | ||||||
| 5 | Communicate clearly and coherently knowledge and ideas to others. | ||||||
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Science, a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points, as outlined below.
Please note:
- Students who have not completed HSC Mathematics at Band 4 or higher (or equivalent) are required to complete a mathematics subject (MATH151 or equivalent), normally in the first year.
- Students may only count 60 credit points of 100-level subjects towards the degree.
- Students must complete a minimum of 24 credit points of 300-level subjects.
- Students must have a grade of Pass (not Pass Supplementary) or higher in at least 24 credit points of 300-level core subjects which form part of a Science major.
Major Study Areas
Students complete one major chosen from disciplines located in the Faculty. A major study consists of at least 90 credit points from the Science Schedule, including the specified core subjects for one of the Bachelor of Science disciplines:
- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Physical Geography
- Ecology and Conservation Biology
- Environment
Students complete elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points to 144. Electives may be chosen from the recommended electives lists, Science Schedule or General Schedule, and may include a selection of complementary or contrasting subjects, or other subjects with the approval of the Course Coordinator or Head of School. Students may also wish to use these electives to study a minor from the General Schedule of Minors.
Honours
Students with a good academic record, particularly in third year, are encouraged to proceed to the Honours year in the discipline of their major. The Honours year is a fourth year of study that provides training in independent research.
For further information refer to the separate entry for the Bachelor of Science (Honours).
Accreditation & professional recognition
Professional Geologist: select a full range of third year Geology subjects and complete Honours year to meet professional requirements.
Why choose this course
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills in America is becoming a fast-growing area creating new and increased job prospects. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is projected to increase by 10.2% from 2018 to 2023 reflecting ongoing strength in demand for the services of qualified and highly educated workers. Source: Employment Projections
Working in science requires real-world practical skills and contemporary knowledge. At RSU we're committed to 'enquiry-based learning' that teaches you to constantly seek out knowledge, analyse it and apply it in your chosen profession. We integrate technology into all our learning and teaching to ensure that you graduate equipped to excel in a constantly changing and technologically advanced world.
You will participate in practical classes in our new purpose-built Sciences Teaching Facility or out in the field, ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of tomorrow's employers. Our courses are taught by professionals who are world-leading researchers so the skills and knowledge you acquire can be applied to real-world challenges today and in the future.