Earth Science is available as a minormajor and extended major.

Program requirements

The program requirements (course list and program rules (PDF, 146KB)) set out the courses and rules you must follow to successfully complete this program.

You must also comply with UQ’s University Policies and Procedures.

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

What do the different requirements mean?

  • Core - all students must complete this course
  • Prerequisite for major - a course required for progression in this major
  • Major compulsory - a course required for this major
  • Major elective - required for the major, chosen from specific selection of courses
  • Recommended - a course which complements the major, but can be substituted for an elective

Students commencing in Semester 2

The study planners provided outline the order of courses to be completed from semester 1 to semester 2. The planners identify semester offerings and in many instances, will be the same for students commencing the program from semester 2. You should check the course offerings to ensure that you are completing the courses in a way that ensures your progression in the program.

If the course sequencing in the planner does not work for you, please contact the School or book an appointment with an academic advisor to obtain individual advice.

Year 1

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
BSc core courses - complete 4 units

SCIE10001   Theory & Practice in Science

STAT12011 Analysis of Scientific Data OR 

STAT1301 Advanced Analysis of Scientific Data ]

Prerequisite course for major - complete 2 units
Refer to Semester 2 for prerequisite course for major.  GEOM1000 Fundamentals of Geographic Information & Technologies
Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units
ERTH1000 Planet Earth: The Big Picture Refer to Semester 1 for compulsory course for major.
Elective courses - choose 8 units

4 units from program electives or general electives. Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended course:

GEOS11002 Environmental & Society

4 units from program electives or general electives. Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Recommended course:

MARS1001 Living Oceans

Additional Information:

  1. Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester. 
  2. Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Year 2

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Elective courses for major - choose 6 units
ERTH2003 Sedimentology & Ancient Environments ERTH2002 Paleobiology
ERTH2005 Earth Materials ERTH2004 Structural Geology
ERTH2050 Field Geology ERTH2006 Magmas & Deformed Rocks
ERTH2110 Tectonics of Active Plate Boundaries  
Elective courses - choose 10 units

program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 2 elective courses for major. Students must complete 8 units per semester. 

Year 3

Students undertaking a single major must complete an additional 2 units Level 3 course from the BSc course list (to be completed as a program elective or as part of a minor), in addition to the 8 units Level 3 courses required for their single major. 

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 Semester 2
Elective courses for major - choose 8 units
ERTH3001 Ore Deposits & Exploration Geology ERTH3002 Global Field Experience
ERTH3100 Sedimentary Basin Architecture ERTH3050 Field Geology: Mapping in the Outback
ERTH3104 Tectonics & Crustal Evolution ERTH3212 Coral Reefs: Past, Present & Future
ERTH3110 Marine Geoscience ERTH3222 Environmental Geochemistry
ERTH3205 Geochemistry & Geochronology ERTH3250 Hydrogeology
Elective courses - choose 8 units

Program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Program elective or general elective1

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. Number of electives in each semester is dependent on course selection for Level 3 elective courses for major. Students must complete 8 units per semester.