Extended Major Overview

Description

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 geological fieldwork and laboratory safety; (4) explain the properties of common classes of chemicals and materials and demonstrate knowledge of the principles of chemical safety

; (5) solve basic chemical problems; (6) demonstrate essential chemical knowledge of topics such as 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.

Incompatibilities

MJD-GEOGY Geology (ID 1235) MJD-CHMPH Chemistry - Physical and Analytical (ID 4853)

Courses

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

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

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
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or equivalent
S1, S2 CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or CHEX1003 Introductory Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or equivalent
S2 EART1104 Discovering Earth None
S1 EART1105 Dynamic Planet None
S1 SCOM1101 Communicating Science
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
ATAR Subject(s) ATAR Mathematics Applications
or ATAR Subject(s) WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or equivalent
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
Or Successful completion of
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Or MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
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
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
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 MATX1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent
Incompatibility
MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1
and MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2 and
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus
or MATX1011 Multivariable Calculus
and
MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
or MATX1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods
and
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
or STAX1520 Economic 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
or CHEX1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
and
CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
Incompatibility
Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S1 CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry
Co-requisites
Successful completion of
Or Enrolment in
One Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
S1 EART2231 Earth Materials
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) EART1104 Discovering Earth
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
S2 EART2234 Earth Processes
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) EART1104 Discovering Earth

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (48 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
Prerequisites
or Unit(s) CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S2 CHEM3002 Chemical Explorations
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
one Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
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
Enrolment in
Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
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
Enrolment in
Unit(s) CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
S1 EART3342 Geochemistry and Petrology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials
and Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
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
S2 EART3344 Basin Analysis
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) EART2231 Earth Materials
and Unit(s) EART2234 Earth Processes
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