Major details : UWA Handbook 2021 : The University of Western Australia

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 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 relevant employability skills for 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 WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B or equivalent. Students otherwise take MATH1721, or MATH1720 and MATH1721 at Level 1 depending on prior study. Chemistry ATAR or equivalent.

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

BP004 Bachelor of Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

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: Chemistry ATAR or WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or TEE Chemistry or equivalent or CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry Incompatibility: CHEM1101 Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, CHEM1104 Biological Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
S1, S2	CHEM1002	Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity	Prerequisites: ATAR Chemistry or WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or TEE Chemistry or equivalent or CHEM1105 Introductory Chemistry or CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry Incompatibility: CHEM1102 Organic Chemistry, CHEM1103 Biological Organic Chemistry
S2	EART1104	Discovering Earth	Incompatibility: CIVL2121 Engineering Geology and Geomechanics
S1	EART1105	Dynamic Planet	Incompatibility: CIVL2121 Engineering Geology and Geomechanics
S1	SCOM1101	Communicating Science	Prerequisites: ATAR Mathematics Applications or WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or TEE Discrete Mathematics or equivalent or higher Co-requisites: MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (only required if students haven't completed Maths Applications or WACE Mathematics 2C/2D or TEE Discrete Mathematics or equivalent or higher). Please note that there will be a delay in validating your enrollment in SCOM1101 after you have enrolled in MATH 1720.

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: This unit is not available to students who have a satisfactory performance (scaled score of 50 per cent or more) in Chemistry ATAR or WACE Chemistry 3A/3B or TEE 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 Mathematics Methods ATAR (with a scaled score of less than 50) or equivalent . Incompatibility: WACE Mathematics: Specialist 3A/3B; MATH1038 Calculus and its Applications; MATH1045 Intermediate Calculus; Mathematics Specialist ATAR; MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1; MATH1002 Mathematical Methods 2; MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus; MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods; or 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: CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (may be substituted with CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry provided a mark of at least 70 percent is achieved) and CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity Incompatibility: CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry
S2	CHEM2002	Physical and Analytical Chemistry	Prerequisites: CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques or CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry Incompatibility: CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry
S1	EART2231	Earth Materials	Prerequisites: EART1104 Introduction to Geology
NS	EART2232	Field Geology	Prerequisites: EART1104 Introduction to Geology Co-requisites: EART2231 Earth Materials
S2	EART2234	Earth Processes	Prerequisites: EART1104 Introduction to Geology

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (48 points):

Availability	Unit code	Unit name	unit requirements
S1	CHEM3001	Essential Chemical Skills	Prerequisites: CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques or CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry Incompatibility: CHEM3309 Chemistry in the Workplace
S2	CHEM3002	Chemical Explorations	Prerequisites: CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills
S1	CHEM3005	Chemical Spectroscopy and Structure	Prerequisites: (CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry or CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry) and (CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques or CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry) Co-requisites: CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills Incompatibility: CHEM3304 Analytical and Physical Chemistry
S2	CHEM3006	Chemistry Beyond the Laboratory	Prerequisites: (CHEM2002 Physical and Analytical Chemistry or CHEM2220 Analytical and Physical Chemistry) and (CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques or CHEM2210 Structure Determination and Physical Chemistry) Co-requisites: CHEM3001 Essential Chemical Skills Incompatibility: CHEM3310 Environmental Chemistry
S1	EART3342	Geochemistry and Petrology	Prerequisites: EART2231 Earth Materials and EART2234 Earth Processes
NS	EART3343	Structural Geology and Tectonics	Prerequisites: EART2232 Field Geology and EART2231 Earth Materials and EART2234 Earth Processes Incompatibility: EART8348 Geological Mapping Part 1/EART8349 Geological Mapping Part 2; EART3348 Geological Mapping Part 1/EART3349 Geological Mapping Part 2; EART3347 Field Methods for Earth Scientists
S2	EART3344	Basin Analysis	Prerequisites: EART2231 Earth Materials and EART2234 Earth Processes
S2	EART3353	Geological Mapping	Prerequisites: EART2232 Field Geology and EART2231 Earth Materials and EART2234 Earth Processes

Choosing your degree-specific major

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.

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.

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