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Geosciences is a multidisciplinary science that seeks to understand how the Earth’s dynamic systems work. The Geosciences undergraduate teaching program provides students with an introduction to geological processes over time, such as volcanology, sedimentology and tectonics. In addition, related units included environmental sciences, mineral and petroleum exploration, and geophysics.

First year

First-year students studying geosciences should include the 12-point combination ESC1011/ENV1011 and ESC1022 along with SCI1020 (Introduction to statistical reasoning) or STA1010 (Statistical methods for science), and at least one of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science or physical geography. Students aiming to specialise in palaeontology should also take biology. Similarly those with interests in environmental science are advised to take two of biology, chemistry and geography, while those with interests in geophysics are advised to take physics and/or mathematics. First-year students who intend to major in geosciences are strongly advised to discuss their program with members of staff.

ESC1011 is of interest to students seeking a broad overview of earth and environmental sciences. ESC1022 provides a continued overview of geosciences, in particular the processes that have shaped the Earth’s crust through its evolution.

Coordinator: Marion Anderson

First semester

  • ESC1011/ ENV1011 - Planet Earth and its Environment: The Cosmic Connection

Second Semester

  • ESC1022/ ENV1022 - Planet Earth: Dynamic Systems, Environmental Change and Resources

Second year

Students planning to complete a major in geosciences are required to complete ESC2111 and ESC2122; ESC2132 is also strongly recommended. Students planning to take the major in environmental geosciences are required to take ESC2111 and ESC2132; ESC2122 is strongly recommended. Further details of the environmental geosciences program are provided in the 'Environmental geosciences' entry in this section of the handbook.

Geoscience students enrolled in the Bachelor of Environmental Science are advised to complete the major in environmental geosciences to complement their other areas of study. Students who have not taken ESC1011, ENV1011 or ESC1022 may apply to the head of school for permission to enrol in these level-two units.

At least one other coherent package of 12 points at level two from another area of study (chemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics, biological sciences, computer science, geography) should be taken.

ESC2032, ESC2111, ESC2122, ESC2132 are also available to students wishing to take them as independent units to support other studies. Students not intending to proceed to level-three studies in geosciences may take any combination of level-two geosciences units.

Geophysics involves the application of physics, mathematics and computer methods to the investigation of the Earth’s interior. Further details of the program are provided in the ‘Geophysics’ entry in this section of the handbook.

Coordinator:Bruce Schaefer

First semester

Second semester

Third year

The level-three program in geosciences consists of several 6-point units in geology, geophysics and environmental geosciences that may be taken in any combination depending on the student’s interests and the units completed at level two. Students interested in continuing with geosciences at honours or MSc or becoming professional geologists, geophysicists or environmental geoscientists should take 48 points of geosciences units at level three. Students who are primarily interested in geosciences, but who also wish to maintain interests in other disciplines may combine a 24 point sequence of geosciences units at level three, with a 24 point sequence in another discipline, provided they satisfy the course requirements of the Bachelor of Science.

While there are no required units at level three, students should choose combinations of units with regard to their interests, experience and future aspirations. Advice on suitable combinations of units for various geosciences streams is available from the School of Geosciences and all students are urged to seek advice before choosing sequences of units. Students interested in the geosciences project unit (ESC3200) must obtain permission from the third-year coordinator before enrolling. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to incorporate units taught at other universities in the geosciences program; however this requires the permission of the third-year coordinator and the head of school.

Bachelor of Environmental Science students and others interested in environmental geosciences should take the major in environmental geosciences, which includes ESC3190, and  ESC3291. Further details of the environmental geosciences program are provided in the relevant entry in this section of the handbook. Students interested in geophysics should combine the three relevant level three units (ESC3410, ESC3311, ESC3332) with other level-three units from geosciences, mathematics or physics. Further details of the geophysics program are provided in the ‘Geophysics’ entry in this section of the handbook or speak to the third year coordinator.

Coordinator: Roberto Weinberg

First semester, second semester or summer semester

  • ESC3170 - Field geology of New Zealand (Summer 2005)
  • ESC3200 - Earth Sciences Project
  • ESC3340 - Geophysics: Special topics
  • ESC3410 - Earth sciences special studies 1
  • ESC3420 - Earth sciences special studies 2

First semester

  • ESC3191 - Hydrology and Environmental Geoscience
  • ESC3201 - Deformation and Metamorphism of the Crust
  • ESC3291 - Climates in Geological Time
  • ESC3311 - Geophysics: Regional Mapping
  • ESC3411 - Sediments, basins and resources
  • ESC3421 - Volcanology and igneous petrology

Second semester

  • ESC3162 - Ore Deposit Geology and Global Metallogeny
  • ESC3180 - Field Mapping
  • ESC3190 - Hydrogeology and environmental geoscience
  • ESC3232 - The dynamic biosphere: changing fauna and flora through geological time
  • ESC3332 - Global Dynamics and Crustal Evolution

Fourth Year

The School of Geosciences at Monash University, a member of the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (VIEPS), offers two fourth year programs for well-qualified students who have completed a three-year undergraduate degree:

  • a one year full-time or two year part-time Honours program, and
  • a one year full-time or two year part-time Masters Preliminary program, which, subject to satisfactory completion at a level of Honours 2nd Class Division A or better, leads into a second year full-time or two years part-time of the Masters Research year.

Graduates who already have an Honours qualification can undertake a one to two year research Masters program, focusing almost entirely on a research project and thesis, but including however much optional coursework from the VIEPS course program as is desired.

Further information is available from the Honours and Masters Co-ordinator, Dr. Ian Cartwright.

For your information, the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences (VIEPS), is a collaborative consortium between the geoscience/earth science Schools at Monash and Melbourne universities. VIEPS allows students to take relevant fourth year subjects at any of the VIEPS schools and facilitates access to all research facilities at the VIEPS schools. These arrangements give VIEPS students and staff an unprecedented advantage in Australia in accessing educational and research opportunities and facilities.)

Coordinator: Dr.Ian Cartwright

  • ESC4100 - Earth Sciences: Research Project
  • ESC4200 - Earth Sciences: Honours Coursework