Geochemistry (Extended Major)

Program Overview

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Geochemistry (Extended Major)

Geochemistry is the application of chemistry to understand Earth’s systems and processes.

Course Details

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

Studying a Geochemistry Extended Major can lead to career opportunities in:

• Analytical Chemist
• Earth and Planetary Scientist
• Environmental Chemist and Geologist
• Exploration Geochemist
• Mineral Chemist
• Mining Scientist
• Research Geochemist

Industries hiring Geochemistry graduates include:

• Government and environmental agencies
• Fertiliser Industry
• Health and Medicine area
• Food and Drink Industry
• Mining
• Nanotechnology Industry
• Petrochemical Companies
• Paper Industry
• Education
• Heavy Chemicals
• Organic Fine Chemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Polymer Production
• Computing and Programming Companies
• Aerospace and Defence Industries
• Energy Sector
• Electric vehicles
• Battery and Manufacturing industries

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$49,200.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • 11.5
• Canadian High School (except Quebec)
  • 70
• French Baccalaureate
  • 12
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750
  • 525
• GCE A-Levels
  • 9
• German Abitur
  • 3.3
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
  • 15
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE)
  • 60
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 79
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • 26
• Malaysian STPM
  • 11
• Monash University Foundation Year
  • 270
• NCUK Foundation Program
  • 9
• Norwegian Vitnemål
  • 3.8
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels
  • 8
• South African National Senior Certificate
  • 4.6
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 330
• Sweden Slutbetyg
  • 15
• Trinity College Foundation
  • 300
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • 12
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 66
• US College Board Advanced Placements
  • 8
• US College Board SAT
  • 1170
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 60
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 80

Prerequisites

This major requires:

• Mathematics Methods ATAR; OR
• Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year; OR
• Students without ATAR mathematics to take two mathematics units in their first year.
• Chemistry ATAR or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

How to apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Refer to the below regarding application processes for each of the pathways. More information regarding admission requirements and prerequisites for each pathway can be found on the 'Admission Requirements' tab.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course details

Applying chemistry to understand Earth's systems and processes is increasingly important in mineral exploration or for managing groundwater, as well as in the exploration of other planets.

About the course

This major focuses on enabling students to gain critical skills in earth science and chemistry to take advantage of employment opportunities arising from technological advances.

Geochemistry is the application of chemistry to understand Earth’s system and processes. Geochemistry is used to help understand a broad scope of areas such as how petroleum and mineral systems operate and in the study of groundwater, marine and coastal habitats, the discovery of alternative forms of energy as well as exploration of other planets. Fuelled by competing desires for energy, responsible resource and land management, and technological advances, demand in this field is predicted to grow globally.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus), Albany (Regional campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-GECDM
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BSc), 4 years (BSc[Hons])

Why study this course

• Gain fundamental skills to use geochemistry for generating environmental and mineral exploration solutions, all of which are strategically important in Western Australia and globally
• Fieldwork is an important aspect of your studies, where you will have the opportunity to conduct research and learn from real-world samples and data
• Be connected with world-class research teams across the country, as well as their industry collaborators
• Have access to leading facilities for research and field-based activities
• Interact and learn from passionate educators and researchers
• This major addresses the growing skills demand in Western Australia and globally, with a real focus on employability of graduates

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core:
  • CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (6)
  • CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity (6)
  • CITS1501 Introduction to Programming with Python (6)
  • EART1104 Discovering Earth (6)
  • EART1105 Dynamic Planet (6)
  • SCOM1101 Communicating Science (6)
• Bridging:
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
  • MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods (6)

Level 2

• Core:
  • CHEM2101 Analytical Methods (6)
  • CHEM2102 Metals in Molecules (6)
  • CHEM2104 Energy and Materials (6)
  • EART2231 Earth Materials (6)
  • EART2232 Field Geology (6)
  • EART2234 Earth Processes (6)

Level 3

• Core:
  • CHEM3101 Workplace Safety and Advanced Analytical Methods (6)
  • CHEM3105 Advanced Materials (6)
  • EART3342 Geochemistry and Petrology (6)
  • EART3343 Structural Geology and Tectonics (6)
  • EART3344 Basin Analysis (6)
  • EART3353 Geological Mapping (6)

You'll learn to

• Understand important concepts and knowledge of materials, as well as properties and processes relevant to geology and chemistry
• Gather, analyse and interpret geological and chemical data
• Synthesise and integrate datasets to solve fundamental and applied earth-science problems

Work Integrated Learning

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on, practical industry relevant experience and for employers to help shape the graduates of tomorrow.

Develop your employability skills through a science work placement. The following units are available to all science undergraduate students who are looking to gain practical hands-on industry relevant experience:

• SCIE2205 Science Work Placement Unit
• SCIE2206 Science Consultancy Project

Your degree options

Bachelor of Earth Sciences Bachelor of Philosophy

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