About Geoscience
Experience the incredible, accessing and studying landscapes from the vast savannahs to marine sediments. Geoscientists, also known as Geologists, explore the makeup of our earth and its surrounding atmosphere and hydrosphere. Geoscience considers both the physical and chemical nature of rocks, minerals, water and air from both a resource and environmental perspective.
JCU Geoscience is a leader in experiential learning. You’ll be empowered to embrace hands-on learning early in your degree, with small class sizes and personalised learning. As a JCU Geoscience student, you’ll have unique access to the most spectacular of learning environments, including the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, and the northwest and northeast Queensland mineral provinces. A strong focus on practical fieldwork and industry connections empowers JCU graduates to be ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
A core focus of this study area is sustainable and environmentally conscious resource exploration and development. Within your units, you will constantly be examining traditional and emerging mineral resources, and the role of critical minerals and metals for adapting to the ongoing challenges of climate change. These concerns are central to the field of geoscience, and your experience working in this area will open new avenues for both work and study,
As your studies progress, you will begin to delve into the specialised areas of structural geology, mineralogy and petrology, sedimentology, hydrology, ore genesis, GIS, and much more. Each subject will build upon the fundamentals, empowering you to develop an advanced understanding of the physical and chemical world around you. You will be equipped to identify issues, develop solutions and communicate findings to your peers and the general public.
JCU Geoscience students are highly sought after for their advanced theoretical and technical knowledge. You will interpret, analyse and evaluate information and demonstrate high-level problem-solving skills, drawing on your geographical and interdisciplinary knowledge. You will benefit from a particular focus on JCU’s context within the Tropics and be challenged to create sustainable solutions to tomorrow’s problems.
Geoscience can lead you to careers in a number of fields, including mining and green energy, mineral exploration, mineral processing, environmental assessment or mine site remediation. You may choose to meet a growing demand by contributing to green energy production and sourcing essential sustainable materials. Specific roles may include exploration or mining geologist, environmental geologist, management, palaeontologist, teacher, or academic.
High achieving students and those with a passion for research may choose to undertake further study and complete an Honours year. Here, you will develop an industry specific, personal research project and present your findings in the form of a thesis. You will reap the benefits of extending your research and communication skills and can use an Honours qualification as a pathway into higher degree research.
Explore your study options in Geoscience
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Gain a one-year university qualification while opening up your pathway into many JCU Bachelor degrees. The Diploma of Higher Education is recognised as a stand-alone qualification designed for students who don’t meet the entry requirements of a Bachelor degree.
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Become an innovative problem-solver and build your career in geoscience with a Bachelor of Geology from JCU. Develop expertise in conservation, exploration and mining for base and critical minerals. Benefit from world class resources, including access to practical fieldwork in iconic locations, analytical facilities and on-site learning at JCU's Economic Geology Research Centre.
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Embrace the exciting word of science. Pair your scientific study with experiences like no other — explore environments like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest or conduct research in state-of-the-art labs. Learn how to train an AI algorithm to identify flora and fauna species or dig into the earth’s history to find prehistoric remains. Graduate career-ready with advanced practical skills and a drive for discovery.
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Advance your professional career in science with independent research or a focused industry project. Through your studies, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of the problems facing natural environments as well as their solutions, using the complex reef and terrestrial environments of the tropics as examples. You will also expand your practical, analytical and communication skills, and gain first-hand experience through your course work classes. You can concentrate your studies by
Download Brochure- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
Advance your professional career in science with independent research or a focused industry project. Through your studies, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of the problems facing natural environments, and their solutions, using the complex reef and terrestrial environments of the tropics as examples. You will also expand your practical, analytical and communication skills, and gain first-hand experience through tailored professional internships or research projects that can lead
Download Brochure- Townsville: February, July
- Cairns: February, July
JCU Master of Philosophy graduates are internationally recognised as experts who discover valuable new knowledge in their fields. The skills you develop during your MPhil will enable you to extend yourself professionally within your existing sector, or to apply your research, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to new contexts. Graduates can also continue their independent research in a Doctor of Philosophy.
Download BrochureDevelop high level independent research skills while making an original contribution of knowledge.
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