Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience)

Rock-solid job opportunities

Mineral geoscience is all about Earth’s mineral resources—their nature, origin, distribution, discovery and uses. 

Geoscientists explore for metallic and non-metallic deposits and find environmentally safe ways to dispose of waste materials from mining.

The University of Adelaide is ranked in the top 75-100 in the world for Earth Sciences*.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience) prepares you for an interesting, well-paid and diverse career in the minerals and energy sector. You will:

  • get hands-on with plenty of field work and exposure to industry in this high-demand field
  • learn about mining, engineering and mineral resources, and environmental aspects of mine remediation
  • explore Earth's mineral resources - their nature, origin, distribution, discovery and uses
  • see rocks in their natural habitat, study the oceans and learn how to read history from the Earth
  • take integrated and extended geology, tectonics and geophysics courses.

Where could it take you?

Mineral geoscience graduates are in high demand. You might work in exploration, making the calls on where next to drill for diamonds. You could journey below the surface as an underground mine geologist. Perhaps you’ll work on solutions for repairing the environmental impacts of mining.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.



  • Top 75-100 in world for Earth Sciences*
  • Resources sector to grow by 24,000 jobs by 2030
  • Extensive field work and exposure to industry

*Academic Ranking of World Universities by Subject, 2022
^industry.gov.au

Entry Requirements

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Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 324551
2024 CSP ATAR 65
2024 CSP IB 24
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 75
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 27.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: any two Science subjects chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Physics, Agricultural Systems, Earth and Environmental Science, Nutrition, Scientific Studies or Specialist Mathematics (NB: only one Mathematics subject may be counted). IB: two Science subjects (minimum grade 4 for SL, 3 for HL); or, one Science subject plus Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL) MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods.
Assumed Knowledge Stage 2 Chemistry and Mathematical Methods and Physics

IB: Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations (HL) or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (SL); Chemistry; Physics.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)		 Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 65
Median ATAR to receive an offer 74.08
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 96.95
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)		 Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 65
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 75.4
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.1
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)    		 7 70.0%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)    		 N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    		 <5 N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    		 N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    		 N/A N/A
    International students N/A N/A
    All students 10 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,950

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


This degree helps you find employment in:

  • petroleum industry
  • geology or geophysics
  • geothermal exploration industries
  • environmental geoscience industries
  • government agencies
  • mineral exploration industries worldwide
  • remote sensing and computer imaging.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Practical Experience
Students may choose to undertake international study opportunities including travelling with a tour guide to remote areas and exploring the world's best preserved piece of intact oceanic crust as part of the Oman Geology Study Tour.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Personal / Research Officer (Local MP);  Policy Adviser;  Project Officer;  Scientific Data Analyst;  Scientist;  Life Scientist;  Research Scientist;  Resource Management;  Scientific Officer;  Mineral Exploration ...

Degree Structure

At level 1, students receive a foundation in sciences such as geology and maths or statistics, with a choice of additional courses in chemistry, physics and science electives. Studies at level 2 further develop this foundation by providing more in-depth study in the area of geology.

Students focus on advanced topics including mineral exploration, tectonics and geophysics in the third level of study. An additional year of study is available for those wishing to obtain an honours degree.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Science (Mineral Geoscience)

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan
Year1 S1 GEOLOGY 1103 Building a Habitable Planet MATHS 1011 Mathematics IA
or
MATHS 1013 Mathematics IM
or
STATS 1004 Statistical Practice (Life Sciences) I
or
SCIENCE 1500 Introductory Data Science - Becoming Smart About Data		 Approved Level I Elective Approved Level I Elective
S2 GEOLOGY 1100 Planet Earth Approved Level I Elective Approved Level I Elective Approved Level I Elective
Year2 S1 GEOLOGY 2500 Sedimentary Geology II GEOLOGY 2501 Structural Geology II Approved Level II Elective Approved Level II Elective
S2 GEOLOGY 2502 Igneous & Metamorphic Geology II GEOLOGY 2505 Geochemistry II GEOLOGY 2504 Mineral Resources II Approved Level II Elective
Year3 S1 GEOLOGY 3013 Tectonics III

 GEOLOGY 3016 Igneous and Metamorphic Geology III GEOLOGY 3500 Exploration Methods III Approved Level III Elective
S2 GEOLOGY 3019 Field Geoscience Program III GEOLOGY 3502 Mineral Resources III Approved Level III Elective 1 x 6 units
or
Approved Level III Electives 2 x 3 units

Assessment

Assignments, exams, practical work, field trip reports

Related Degrees

Testimonial

Studying geology is a rewarding journey that gives you the knowledge to build a career in research, industry or wherever else it might take you.
Ben Kimpton

Ben Kimpton

Bachelor of Science (Geology, Geophysics and Applied Geology) & Honours in Economic Geology

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

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Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024