James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

EARTH SCIENCES

Within the School of Earth Sciences students can pursue a broad range of postgraduate studies, leading to the awards of Graduate Diploma of Science, Master of Applied Science (by coursework), Master of Science (by research) or Doctor of Philosophy.

GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF SCIENCE

The Diploma is available in the following options:

Earth Sciences
Economic Geology
Environmental Geoscience
Exploration and Mining Geology
Geology.

The following guidelines apply to students selecting one of the available Graduate Diploma disciplines in Geology.

A student who has attained the standard of BSc or equivalent with a major in Earth Sciences or Geology or another approved science discipline may be admitted.

The Graduate Diploma is available as a one year full-time or two year part-time course of study.

Entry is permitted either at the start of the University teaching year (end-February, intake A), or in mid-year at the start of Semester 2 (July, intake B).

Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Science in Earth Sciences or Geology requires undertaking 24 units of approved subjects in those disciplines. External students attending the diploma course in Economic Geology will be required to complete EA3400:03 (Ore Genesis), EA3510:03 (Geological Mapping) and EA3511:03 (Advanced Geological Mapping).

The Graduate Diploma attained with a grade of Credit or above is accepted as equivalent to a Masters Qualifying Course and will entitle the holder to proceed to a MSc research degree.

The full-time Graduate Diploma course comprises 24 units of study in an approved combination of topics. It is possible to attend level 3 undergraduate subjects in Earth Sciences to cover aspects of the discipline not previously studied at this level. With the permission of the Head of School, appropriate undergraduate subjects in another relevant discipline may also be included. A maximum of 6 undergraduate units outside earth sciences is permitted.

The part-time Graduate Diploma with specialisation in Exploration and Mining Geology may be completed over a minimum of 18 months. This option comprises completion of a minimum of three of the six unit courses offered in the Master of Applied Science (by coursework) in Exploration and Mining Geology, without dissertation, but including also either a fourth six unit subject from that course, or three level 3 courses as specified above.

MASTER OF APPLIED SCIENCE (BY COURSEWORK) IN EXPLORATION AND MINING GEOLOGY

This degree program is primarily designed for graduates with three to 15 years professional experience, although candidates with other backgrounds may be accepted for enrolment. It covers a range of topics designed to provide education and training in the latest methods for successful exploration, mining and management in the minerals industry. Any student who satisfies admission requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science as outlined in the award requirements may seek admission to this program.

The course will consist of 36 units of study. Each subject offered is worth six units. The research dissertation is recommended and can be taken as six units, or as a longer dissertation by combining the two six-unit modules. The research dissertation may be optional if sufficient credits can be gained from the block mode delivery programs, in addition to credit gained from other formal study programs or written work of dissertation equivalence for which approval must be approved by the program coordinator and Head of the School of Earth Sciences and the Faculty Academic Adviser. All students will complete most subject requirements though during the block mode offerings. In interim periods, students are expected to devote time to assignments and other research relevant to the course, including work on their research dissertation as appropriate. With permission of the Faculty Academic Adviser and the Earth Sciences Masters Coordinator, six or 12 units of credit may be granted on the basis of specific courses offered by other educational providers, or substantial documents, that are complementary to this program. The student must present evidence to demonstrate that such courses or documents are directly relevant to the MAppSc (Exploration and Mining Geology) and have not previously been used to gain credit in another degree.

Students seeking admission to the program on a full-time basis must enrol for at least 18 units per year.

The degree of MAppSc will be awarded to candidates who achieve a satisfactory standard in written examinations, seminar presentations, practical exercises and other specific assessment tasks. Dissertation components must have sufficient content and presentation quality to satisfy the examiners. The dissertation may be of six or 12 units, and if the student wishes to expand upon their original six units. 12 unit dissertations will be evaluated by an external examiner.

NATIONAL GEOSCIENCE MASTERS (BY COURSEWORK) IN ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

INTER-SCHOOL POSTGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Students may elect to enrol in relevant Earth Science subjects to satisfy the requirements of several inter-school postgraduate degree programs offered in the Science Faculty. These include Master of Applied Science (Coursework) degree programs in Environmental Chemistry and Tropical Environmental Management and Graduate Diploma programs in Environmental Chemistry, Geographical and Land Information Systems and Tropical Environmental Management. Details may be found under the above headings.

RESEARCH DEGREE PROGRAMS

Students who satisfy the appropriate admission requirements may seek admission to the research degrees of Master of Science (by thesis only) or Doctor of Philosophy. Refer to the Index for the rules for these degrees.

Thesis topics will be considered in any branch of Earth Sciences suitably related to staff research interests. See section on “Research Activities” for details of current research areas.