WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL OF MINESAT CURTIN

Exploration Geophysics Bachelor of Science (Geophysics)

Career OpportunitiesGeophysicists work worldwide both in the field and in city offices. When geophysicists go out into the field, they collect geophysical data using modern field instruments and computers. They may go to sea in seismic ships or take to the air to collect magnetic or electromagnetic data. They also visit exploration sites which may take the form of drilling for oil, gas, minerals or groundwater. When in a city office, geophysicists are expected to oversee others processing the data, or process it themselves on company computers.

How would you like to turn your passion for science and technology into an amazing and rewarding career?

Geophysics is the exciting science that seeks to understand the interior of the Earth. Curtin’s geophysics degree enables you to graduate ready for a professional career in petroleum, minerals or groundwater geophysical exploration.

Geophysics can include the study of earthquakes, volcanoes, gravity and glaciology. More importantly, for most Western Australians, exploration geophysics involves the use of a number of techniques in the search for oil, gas, minerals and water.

The geophysics degree program provides a sound knowledge of the fundamental principles and methods of exploration geophysics with graduates being trained to apply all of the geophysical methods currently in use in exploration today.

Geophysical exploration is the main method of detecting buried geological structures at depth. Oil and mineral resources are the main source of Australia’s export income.

wasm.curtin.edu.au

Course Code: 172299

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Why study Geophysics at Curtin? Curtin’s Department of Exploration Geophysics is the only higher education, specialist geophysics training facility in Australia offering an internationally recognised, professional degree in geophysics. We are not an offshoot of another earth sciences department but a dedicated team of highly respected, professional trainers and researchers with just one aim in mind when it comes to you: to provide you with all the skills and training you need to become a fully qualified, world class geophysicist.

Is geophysics for me?• Wouldyouliketoworkatthecuttingedgeof

science and technology? • Doyoulovetosolvemysteries?• Wouldyouliketoearngreatmoneyandhave

heaps of fun doing it? • Doyouloveagoodchallenge?• Doyouhaveapassionforphysics,

mathematics or geology? • Areyouintothelatestandgreatestcomputing

technologies? • Wouldyouliketochoosetoworkwherever

you want in the world?

If you answered ‘yes’ to most of the above questions then you must seriously consider checking out a career in geophysics.

Course OverviewThe Bachelor of Science in Geophysics is designed to train students for direct entry to the exploration industry. It provides a sound basic training in physics, mathematics and geology with a particular emphasis on computer methods. On completion of the third year, students will have a thorough grounding in all of the main geophysical methods used in exploration, and this leads to a pass degree. It is usual for students to proceed to the honours year where they specialise in either minerals or oil exploration methods, to obtain the Bachelor of Science (Honours).

Course Entry RequirementsIn addition to the University’s standard entrance requirements, students intending to study geophysics should have completed TEE Applicable Mathematics. Either Physics or Calculus is also desirable.

Career OpportunitiesGeophysicists work worldwide both in the field and in city offices. When geophysicists go out into the field, they collect geophysical data using modern field instruments and computers. They may go to sea in seismic ships or take to the air to collect magnetic or electromagnetic data. They also visit exploration sites which may take the form of drilling for oil, gas, minerals or groundwater. When in the city office, geophysicists are expected to oversee others processing the data, or process it themselves on company computers. Once a final map is constructed, the geophysicist works with the geologist to produce an interpretation to provide the next location for drilling. As a result of this activity, the geophysicist’s life is very full and interesting, and it explains why geophysics is one of the most widely travelled professions in the world today.

The professional geophysicist may choose a career of frequent travel, both interstate and overseas, or a career involving little travel.

In the past, the exploration industry has experienced booms and busts dependent upon the world price of oil and metals. During times of boom, geophysicists have been in extreme demand. Over the years, every geophysicist who has graduated from Curtin has obtained a job in industry, even during times of bust. This is because the course is structured to train graduates for immediate entry at the professional level and the University’s close contacts with the industry helps graduates gain employment after graduation. As well as this, the indications are that there will be a constant need for more

AbOUT:EXPLORATION GEOPHYSICS

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Course Structure

YEAR 1

Geophysics 101Communication Skills 116Physics 101Geology 101Mathematics 101 or Mathematics 103Geophysics 102 – Geophysical Data AnalysisGeophysics 104 – Properties of Matter and ElectricityGeology 102Mathematics 102 or Mathematics 104

YEAR 2

Geology 243 – Stratigraphy and SedimentologyGeology 241 – Structural Geology and MineralogyGeophysics 245 – Introduction to Mineral MethodsGeophysics 201 - Propagation of EnergyMathematical Methods 201Geology 244 – Petrology and GeochemistryGeology 242 – Remote Sensing and Field Geological MappingGeophysics 246 – Introduction to Oil and Gas MethodsGeophysics 202 – Electomagnetic Fields in the EarthMathematical Methods 202

YEAR 3

Geophysics 301 – Gravity and MagneticsGeophysics 303 – Introductory SeismicGeophysics 305 – Resistivity and Induced PolarisationGeophysics 313 – Data AnalysisGlobal Geophysics 304Geophysics 302 – Electromagnetics and RadiometricsGeophysics Data Processing (Minerals/Petroleum) 312Geophysics 315 – Seismic AcquisitionGeophysics 318 – Environmental GeophysicsProject Geophysics 390

graduate geophysicists during the next 10 years worldwide, not just in Australia. The geophysics degree at Curtin is the only such exploration degree in Western Australia and currently has the largest geophysics enrolment in the southern hemisphere.

Professional RecognitionGraduates are able to gain admission to the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (USA) (SEG), the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) and the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

Further StudyWith advancing technology, many graduates will find higher studies necessary later in their careers. This may be in the form of company training programs, conferences, workshops or by formal enrolment in postgraduate courses.Masters (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees by thesis are available at the University.

It may be necessary to undertake additional preparatory coursework depending on the intended research project.

Other course work masters degrees are also available in the Department.

Honours ProgramGraduates from the three year BSc degree are accepted by the exploration industryas qualifi ed geophysicists. As such they will have a thorough basic training in all commonly used exploration techniques. A fourth year honours program allows graduates to specialise in either oil exploration geophysics or in minerals and ground-water exploration geophysics. With the rapid advancement of the science it is becoming increasingly necessary for students to complete this fourth year which includes a project requiring independent research and also a program of advanced coursework. An equivalent program may be available as a postgraduate diploma.

With an Exploration Geophysics degree, you can:•beinchargeofamultimilliondollar

exploration team searching for the

next billion dollar oil or gas reserve

•discovernewwaysofusingtheEarth’s geothermal energy to power

the planet

•seeknewsourcesofundergroundwater to supplement our shrinking

reserves

•mapthelayoutofa2000-year-oldcity buried in the desert sands of Egypt

•makenewdiscoveriesastohowthe

air around us affects the motion of

the planet

•determinenewwaystounderstand

the thermal structure and dynamics

of oceans

•applythetechniquesandskillsyou

learn from us to reveal the internal structure of other planets and stars

geophysics.curtin.edu.au

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All about:Exploration Geophysics

Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing and is valid for 2008, but may be subject to change. In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations or enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program. Part time and external study is only available to Australian resident students and International students studying outside Australia. Full details of units and course structure can be obtained by contacting the above or electronically from: http://handbook.curtin.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

For more, contact:

InternatIonal StudentS studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. Please refer to www.international.curtin.edu.au or phone +61 8 9266 7331 for further information, as some information contained in this booklet may not be applicable to international students. Australian citizens and permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study. Information about TISC only applies to Australian residents.55492-10-08

Course Structure

SEMESTER 1

Geophysics 421 - Theoretical GeophysicsGeophysics Workshop 423 - Seismic ProcessingGeophysics 431 - Near Surface and Engineering PhysicsGeophysics Honours Dissertation 494 Part A

Optional units to select from:

Geology 311 – Hydrogeology and Engineering GeologyGeology 307 – Geodynamics Geology 411 – Petroleum Geology Geophysics 425 – Rock Physics Geophysics 420 – (Specialised Topic) Geophysics 433 – Geophysics Applied to Mineral ExplorationGeophysics 465 (Specialised Topic)Geological Remote Sensing 401Geology 353 - Sedimentology Geographic Information Systems 181Geoscience Professional Practice 401

SEMESTER 2

Geophysics 426 - Borehole GeophysicsGeophysics 424 – Seismic InterpretationGeophysics 432 – Advanced Electromagnetics and Potential FieldsGeophysics Honours Dissertation 494 Part B

Optional units to select from:

Geology 314 - Regolith Exploration Geophysics 422 - Seismic Modelling and Amplitude Variation with Offset Geophysics 430 - (Specialised Topic) Geophysics 434 - Inverse Theory and Applications Geophysics 466 - (Specialised Topic) Geology 422 - Ore Deposit Geology Geophysics Workshop 422 - 3D Seismic Processing Geology 312 - Environmental Geology

Honours ProgramGraduates from the three year BSc degree are accepted by the exploration industry as qualified geophysicists. As such they will have a thorough basic training in all commonly used exploration techniques. A fourth year honours program allows graduates to specialise in either oil exploration geophysics or in minerals and groundwater exploration geophysics. With the rapid advancement of the science it is becoming increasingly necessary for students to complete this fourth year which includes a project requiring independent research and also a program of advanced coursework. An equivalent program may be available as a Master of Science by Coursework.

International enquiriesTel: +61 8 9266 7331Fax: +61 8 9266 2605E: careers@vesta.curtin.edu.auW: international.curtin.edu.au

Freecall: 1800 688 377Tel: +61 8 9266 3565

+61 8 9088 6152E: studentinfo@geophy.curtin.edu.auW: wasm.curtin.edu.au

Western australian School of MinesCurtin University of TechnologyLocked Bag 22Kalgoorlie WA 6433

western australian

school of minesKalgoorlie campus

The Western Australian School of Mines has been around for over a century. During this time it has established a strong international reputation for excellence in education and research in mining.

Located in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the heart of Australia’s mining industry, and on the Bentley (Perth) Campus of Curtin, postgraduate qualifications from WASM are for people who are as serious about the mining and resources industry as we are.

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