UWA's admission requirements for some postgraduate courses have changed for Semester 2, 2020 to facilitate student access to study during the COVID-19 situation. In many cases, these changes may not be extended beyond 2020. Contact Future Students for more information.
Master of Petroleum Geoscience (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
The Master of Petroleum Geoscience is a two-year coursework or coursework and dissertation degree course. This course aims to develop graduates with advanced skills in geological and geophysical data analysis and integration of datasets related to sedimentary basin analysis and petroleum geoscience. The course places considerable emphasis on the development of practical skills underpinned by conceptual knowledge, and the application of both to solving problems related to basin history and petroleum exploration through coursework and research project components of the course. Students have the opportunity to use latest digital technology to develop advanced skills in the analysis of geoscientific data and constructing 3D models.
Course overview
- Course title
- Master of Petroleum Geoscience (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MPetGeosci
- Course code
- 73540
- Course type
- master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- current / 2020
- Administered by
- Faculty of Science
- CRICOS code
- 093309J
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Articulation
- The Master of Petroleum Geoscience has the following exit awards: 74240 Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Geoscience (24 points) (24 points), 74340 Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Geoscience (48 points) (48 points)
- Credit points required
- 96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 2 years
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Postgraduate fee-paying/FEE-HELP
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Daniel Peyrot
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Course structure
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; SS = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2020; NS = non-standard teaching period |
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2021 or 2022.
Take all units (54 points):
| Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | GEOP4002 | Near-Surface and Environmental Geophysics | 3 x 4 hour workshops per week for 5 weeks | |
| NS | GEOS4410 | Australia's Geological Evolution |
| workshops: 3 x 3 hours per week for 6 weeks. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| NS | GEOS4412 | Petroleum Systems |
| workshops: 8 hours per week for 6 weeks |
| S2 | GEOS4418 | Basin Analysis Techniques |
| workshops: 2 x 2 hours per week |
| S2 | GEOS4419 | Biostratigraphy | workshops: 1 x 3–4 hours per week | |
| NS | GEOS5503 | Advanced Petroleum Geoscience |
| workshops: 2 x 4 hours per week for 6 weeks |
| NS | GEOS5506 | Structural Analysis for Petroleum Geoscience |
| workshops: 8 hours per week |
| NS | GEOS5509 | Sedimentary Basin Field Excursion |
| workshops: 2-4 hours for up to 2 weeks; field trip: 5-10 days depending on location |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | The Conduct, Ethics and Communication of Science |
| 7 workshops running once a fortnight. This unit runs in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 and taken in either semester. |
For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | GEOS5011 | Masters Research Project in Geoscience Part 1 |
| supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5012 | Masters Research Project in Geoscience Part 2 | supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester | |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5013 | Masters Research Project in Geoscience Part 3 |
| supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction programme starting the week before semester. |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5014 | Masters Research Project in Geoscience Part 4 | supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction programme starting the week before semester. |
For students in course by coursework only, take units to the value of 42 points, including at least 30 points at Level 5. The 30 points at Level 5 may include up to two options, chosen as substitutes, from related areas, as approved by the Faculty.
For students in course by coursework and dissertation, take units to the value of 18 points including at least 6 points at level 5.
| Availability | Unitcode | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | EART4415 | Coastal Hazards and Adaptation |
| 2 x 4 hour blocks of contact hours per week for six weeks; up to 2 x one day fieldtrips |
| S2 | ECON5511 | Climate, Energy and Water Economics |
| lectures/tutorials: 3 hours per week for 10 weeks |
| S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications | The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending a compulsory 1-hour seminar per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions. Additionally there is a compulsory 2-hour computer practical lab per week for which students will undertake applied use of GIS. Completion of these labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. | |
| S2 | ENVT5566 | Advanced Spatial and Environmental Modelling |
| total of 150 hours |
| NS | GEOS4413 | Environmental Geoscience |
| Lectures and practical work. There may be a one-day field trip (TBC) |
| NS | GEOS5505 | Multiscale Tectonic Systems |
| 60 hours (see unit outline for breakdown) |
| N/A | GEOS5507 | Analytical Techniques for the Geosciences |
| lectures/tutorials: 8 hours per week (2 x 4-hour blocks); reading/online tutorials/assignments/assessments (non-contact): 16 hours per week (for 6 weeks starting week 8 and ending week 13) |
| NS | GEOS5510 | Applied Palynology |
| workshops: 2 x 3–4 hours per week |
| S1, S2, SS | GEOS5596 | Geoscience Internship |
| internship or placement hours as appropriate up to 150 hours. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials module
2.(1) Except as stated in (2), a student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module).
(2) A student who has previously achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module is not required to repeat the module.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor of Geology, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:
- 74240 Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Geoscience (24 points)
- 74340 Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Geoscience (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Petroleum Geoscience course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, of which a minimum of 6 points must be degree core
, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Petroleum Geoscience.
(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Petroleum Geoscience course before completing it, but after completing 48 points, at least 24 of which are core to the degree, may apply to the Faculty to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Geoscience.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
Satisfactory progress
8. A student who does not pass units to a value of at least half the total points value of units for which they are enrolled, or who fails the same unit twice, will not have made satisfactory progress.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the ACE module when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded' unless the Faculty decides otherwise in light of exceptional circumstances.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Additional rules
Research Project
13. Students who request approval to undertake a research project as an optional unit in this course must have—
(a) a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in 48 points of the level of Level 4 and 5 units completed in the first year of the course;
and
(b) a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the project.