Geochemistry major

Geochemistry is the application of chemistry to understanding Earth's systems and processes. It is very broad in its scope, extending to the deep Earth, its continents and oceans, as well as to the atmosphere and biosphere through time. Exploration of other planets also focuses on geochemical characterisation of materials to understand planetary evolution. Geochemistry is also widely applied to exploration for a wide range of resources, especially in Western Australia. This extended major focuses on enabling students to gain critical skills in earth science and chemistry to take advantage of employment opportunities arising from technological advances. It will also enable students to learn how to gather and apply geochemical data to environmental and mineral exploration and production contexts in an increasingly digital world.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate understanding of key geological concepts and application of knowledge and skills in the interpretation of major geological processes operating at local to global scales; (2) demonstrate practical skills in the recognition and interpretation of Earth materials, and solve earth science problems using field-based and laboratory-based skills in analysis and interpretation of geoscientific datasets; (3) demonstrate teamwork and professional conduct skills including understanding of fieldwork and laboratory safety; (4) demonstrate knowledge of the properties of common classes of chemicals and matter, and the principles of chemical safety


; (5) solve basic chemical problems; (6) demonstrate essential knowledge of chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, spectroscopy, reaction mechanisms, equilibria and periodic properties; (7) analyse chemical data, develop and test hypotheses and interpret experimental results; (8) demonstrate developed skills in communicating knowledge and interpretations in appropriate oral, written and graphical formats; (9) apply knowledge and practical skills in geochemistry, including integration of geoscientific datasets to solve fundamental and applied earth science problems; and (10) apply high-level critical thinking, fieldwork, teamwork and communication and skills required for employment and further studies in the field of Geochemistry.

Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics units.
Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

Geochemistry can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Overview of unit sequence

Geochemistry is a degree-specific double major comprising:

  • five Level 1 units
  • five Level 2 units
  • eight Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; NS = non-standard teaching period

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (30 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1, S2 CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 EART1104 Discovering Earth
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 EART1105 Dynamic Planet
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Applications ATAR Subject(s) WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Enrolment in
Or
Successful completion of MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Incompatibility:
Nil
Bridging units
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
Or
with permission
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50
or
greater]
or
Equivalent
or
higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites:
( Mathematics Applications ATAR
Or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals )
Or
( Mathematics Methods ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
Equivalent )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus And MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods And STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (30 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics and Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S1 CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in One Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 EART2231 Earth Materials
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) EART1104 Discovering Earth
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
NS EART2232 Field Geology
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) EART1104 Discovering Earth
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 EART2234 Earth Processes
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) EART1104 Discovering Earth
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (48 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 CHEM3002 Chemical Explorations
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of one Unit(s) CHEM3002 Chemical Explorations
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 CHEM3005 Chemical Spectroscopy and Structure
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 CHEM3006 Chemistry Beyond the Laboratory
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
or
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 EART3342 Geochemistry and Petrology
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials and Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
NS EART3343 Structural Geology and Tectonics
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of three Unit(s) EART2232 Field Geology and Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials and EART2234 Earth Processes
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 EART3344 Basin Analysis
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials and Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 EART3353 Geological Mapping
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of three Unit(s) EART2232 Field Geology and Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials and Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
Co-requisites:
Nil.
Incompatibility:
Nil.

Choosing your degree-specific major

General degrees

You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.

To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .

To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.

The following example illustrates how the Geochemistry degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Earth Sciences course.

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music

You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.

Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This comprehensive degree does not allow you to choose a double major.