Earth Science is available as a minormajor and extended major.

Program requirements

The program and course requirements 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.

Note: This plan has had changes from 2022, please refer to the program and course requirements.

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 (July intake)

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

Note: This plan has had changes from 2022, please refer to the program and course requirements.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
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 PictureRefer 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.

4 units from program electives or general electives

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

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

Year 2

Note: This plan has had changes from 2022, please refer to the program and course requirements.

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Elective courses for major - choose 10 units
ERTH2003 Sedimentology & Ancient EnvironmentsERTH2002 Paleobiology
ERTH2005 Earth MaterialsERTH2004 Structural Geology
ERTH2050 Field GeologyERTH2006 Magmas & Deformed Rocks
ERTH2110 Tectonics of Active Plate Boundaries 
Elective courses - choose 6 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

Semester 1 and Semester 2 course options
Semester 1 (February - June)Semester 2 (July - November)
Elective courses for major - choose 12 units
ERTH3001 Ore Deposits & Exploration GeologyERTH3002 Global Field Experience
ERTH31031 Sedimentary EnvironmentsERTH3050 Field Geology: Mapping in the Outback
ERTH3104 Tectonics & Crustal EvolutionERTH3212 Coral Reefs: Past, Present & Future
ERTH3110 Marine GeoscienceERTH3222 Environmental Geochemistry
ERTH3205 Geochemistry & GeochronologyERTH3250 Hydrogeology
Elective courses - choose 4 units

Program elective or general elective2

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Program elective or general elective2

Refer to BSc course list for course selection.

Additional Information:

  1. ERTH3103 will not be offered after 2021 and will be replaced by ERTH3100 from 2022 onwards. 
  2. 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.