Undergraduate

Geochemistry (Extended Major)

Geochemistry is the application of chemistry to understand Earth’s systems and processes.
80
ATAR

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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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

 

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

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

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.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$46,600.00
2025
$49,200.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

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 this major, 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).

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

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 (Extended Major)

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])
Geochemistry (Extended Major)
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])
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Earth Sciences
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

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.

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.

Ranked 4th in Australia and 42nd in the world for Geology (QS 2024)
Ranked 4th in Australia and 45th in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2024)

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Providing world-class microscopy and microanalysis facilities and expertise to publicly funded researchers and industry.