Bachelor of Science - Earth Science Major
Earth Science is available as a minor, major and extended major.
Please note, there are changes to the plan for 2024. If you commenced the program prior to 2024, please refer to the 'Pre-2024 Years 1-3' study planner.
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.
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 (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
| 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. | ERTH10053 Critical Minerals for a Low Carbon Future |
| Compulsory course for major - complete 2 units | |
| ERTH10002 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 Any physical science course (Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics) or Biology | 4 units from program electives or general electives. Refer to BSc course list for course selection. Recommended course: GEOM1000 Fundamentals of Geographic Information & Technologies MARS1001 Living Oceans |
Additional Information:
- Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester.
- Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.
- Course first offered in Semester 2, 2024.
Year 2
| Semester 1 (February - June) | Semester 2 (July - November) |
|---|---|
| Compulsory courses for major - complete 6 units | |
| ERTH2003 Sedimentology & Ancient Environments | ERTH2006 Magmas & Deformed Rocks |
| ERTH2004 Structural Geology | |
| Elective courses - choose 10 units | |
Program elective or general elective1. Refer to BSc course list for course selection. Recommended course: ERTH2050 Field Geology
| Program elective or general elective1. Refer to BSc course list for course selection. Recommended courses: ERTH2002 Paleobiology ERTH22052 Geochemistry |
Additional Information:
- 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.
- Course first offered in Semester 2, 2024.
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 (February - June) | Semester 2 (July - November) |
|---|---|
| Elective courses for major - choose 8 units | |
| ERTH31052 Sedimentary Basins & Geophysical Techniques | ERTH3001 Ore Deposits & Exploration Geology |
| ERTH31202 Marine Geoscience & Tectonics | ERTH3050 Field Geology: Mapping in the Outback |
| ERTH3250 Hydrogeology | ERTH3212 Coral Reefs: Past, Present & Future |
| ERTH3222 Environmental Geochemistry | |
| Elective courses - choose 8 units | |
Program elective or general elective1 Refer to BSc course list for course selection. Recommended Course: GEOS34003 Research Topic | Program elective or general elective1 Refer to BSc course list for course selection.
|
Additional Information:
- 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.
- Course first offered in Semester 1, 2024.
- Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester.
Year 1
| 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 | |
| ERTH10002 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:
- Course offered in Semester 1, Semester 2 and Summer Semester.
- Course offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2.
Year 2
| Semester 1 (February - June) | Semester 2 (July - November) |
|---|---|
| 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:
- 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 (February - June) | Semester 2 (July - November) |
|---|---|
| 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:
- 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.