Master of Science (Earth Sciences)

at University of Melbourne

Course structure
 

The Master of Science (Earth Sciences) is a 200-point course, made up of:
 

• Discipline core subjects (50 points)

• Discipline elective subjects (0–12.5 points)

• Professional skills subjects (12.5–25 points)

• A research project (125 points).
   

Two streams are available: Atmospheric Science and Geology.
 

You’ll be able to choose your discipline core and elective subjects from a broad range available.
 

We know that you’ll need professional skills to give you the edge in the workplace, so you’ll be able to select from a wide range of high-level professional subjects, including scientific communication, business, modelling, programming, and more.
 

All students undertake a research project over four semesters, working on a real-world Earth sciences research question. You'll be supported by one of our expert researchers, who'll also provide direction. At the end of the process, you’ll be encouraged to submit your report for publication in a journal. Our current areas of research activity include climate variability and change, sedimentary geology, archaeological science, and the physics and chemistry of Earth's deep interior.
 

Atmospheric Science stream
 

Complete 50 points of the following subjects. Additionally, select a further 12.5 points from level 9 Earth Sciences subjects, Professional Skills subjects, or 300-level Science subjects. One elective from another stream within the Master of Science, Master of Environment or the Master of Energy Systems may also be approved on a case-by-case basis.
 

• Current Topics in Climate Science

• 12.5 pts
   

• Atmosphere Ocean Interaction and Climate

• 12.5 pts
   

• Climate Analysis and Modelling

• 12.5 pts
   

• Mesoscale Atmospheric Dynamics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Statistics in Climate Dynamics

• 12.5 pts
   

• Convective Clouds and Storms

• 12.5 pts
   

• Advanced Dynamical Meteorology

• 12.5 pts
   

• Atmospheric Modelling

• 12.5 pts
   

• General Circulation of the Atmosphere

• 12.5 pts
   

• Air Quality Monitoring

• 12.5 pts
   

• Climate Modelling and Climate Change
  12.5 pts
   

Geology stream
 

Select 50 points of the following subjects. Out of this 50 points, 25 points must correspond to your thesis topic. Additionally, select a further 12.5 points from these subjects, Professional Skills subjects, or from 300-level geology subjects. Electives from another stream within the Master of Science, Master of Environment or Master of Energy Systems may also be approved on a case-by-case basis.
 

• Environmental Geochemistry

• 6.25 pts
   

• Regolith Geoscience

• 6.25 pts
   

• Interpretation of Satellite Images

• 6.25 pts
   

• Geology from Geophysics

• 6.25 pts
   

• Hydrogeology/Environmental Geochemistry

• 12.5 pts
  
   

• Advanced Structural Mapping

• 6.25 pts
   

• Geochronology and Thermochronology

• 6.25 pts
   

• Geology of Gold

• 6.25 pts
   

• Coastal Environmental Geomorphology

• 6.25 pts
   

• Ore Reserve Estimation

• 6.25 pts
   

• Introduction to Mineralogy

• 6.25 pts
   

• Mine Safety and Engineering

• 6.25 pts
   

• Practical Igneous Petrology

• 6.25 pts
   

• Geodynamics

• 6.25 pts
   

• Australian Coal Basins

• 6.25 pts
   

• Igneous Geodynamics and Ore Deposits

• 6.25 pts
   

• Fundamentals of Geological CO2 Storage

• 6.25 pts
   

• Ore Deposit Models

• 6.25 pts
   

• Exploration Field Skills

• 6.25 pts
   

• Environmental Geology Field Techniques

• 6.25 pts
   

• Python for Earth Sciences

• 6.25 pts
  
   

• Advanced Hydrogeology

• 6.25 pts
   

• Geographic Information Systems

• 6.25 pts
   

• Basin Evolution & Sequence Stratigraphy

• 6.25 pts
   

• Introduction to Structural Geology

• 6.25 pts
   

• Introduction to Structural Geology

• Sedimentary Basins and Resource Analysis

• 12.5 pts
   

• Field Geology of New Zealand

• 12.5 pts

Professional skills
 

• Business Tools: Money People & Processes

• 12.5 pts
  
   

• Systems Modelling and Simulation

• 12.5 pts
   

• Ethics and Responsibility in Science

• 12.5 pts
   

• Thinking and Reasoning with Data

• 12.5 pts
   

• Statistics for Research Workers

• 12.5 pts
   

• Communication for Research Scientists

• 12.5 pts
  
   

• Science in Schools

• 12.5 pts
   

• Science and Technology Internship

• 12.5 pts
  
   

• Science Communication

• 12.5 pts
   

• Introduction to Programming

• 12.5 pts
   

• The Art of Scientific Computation

• 12.5 pts
   

• Introduction to Quantum Computing

• 12.5 pts

Research project

Complete parts 1, 2 3 and 4 (125 points in total):

To be considered for entry, you must have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in a relevant discipline (agricultural science, climate and weather, biochemistry, botany, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, food science, genetics, geography, geology, mathematics, microbiology, physics, plant science or zoology), with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 per cent in the best 50 points in appropriate discipline studies at third year.
 

• TOEFL (internet-based): total score at of least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
   

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0.

• Indicative first year fee AUD$48,128
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$98,662

Our graduates go on to work as geologists, geoscientists, energy specialists, environmental scientists and advisors, research scientists, geological surveyors, climatologists and weather forecasters.
 

Employers in this field include:
 

• Mining and mineral exploration companies such as Shell, Rio Tinto, ExxonMobil and Woodside Energy

• Engineering and professional services firms such as GHD, AECOM and Jacobs

• Government departments of environment and economic development, including the Bureau of Meteorology

• Universities and public research institutions such as the CSIRO.