Geology & Geophysics
Geology is vital to our future because we must continually find new resources and new materials to replace those that become exhausted in our technological society. Geology is a very diverse science involving environmental and marine sciences; this makes it an exciting subject to study on its own, or when combined with other fields of science.
www.geosci.usyd.edu.au
How do you study Geology & Geophysics?
Students can major in geology and geophysics by enrolling in the Bachelor of Science, Advanced Science, Marine Science, Science and Technology or Bachelor of Liberal Studies courses.
Assumed Knowledge
There is no assumed knowledge for geology and geophysics.
What will you study?
Geology is currently posing some of the most exciting challenges to environmental scientists working in a wide range of disciplines. You will develop field work skills to measure, analyse and understand the dynamic processes which cause change in the earth system.
Geochemists use analytical methods that can detect individual elements in parts per billion, measure the proportions of natural isotopes with the latest mass spectrometers and examine atomic crystal structures with the most powerful electron or ion microscopes available.
Geophysicists develop more penetrating ways of measuring and probing the earth’s secrets with remote sensing satellites or aircraft, shipboard instruments and land-based apparatus.
Geomathematicians apply complex equations to model the earth.
Geoengineers explore ways of building larger and safer structures, and are developing drilling techniques that can retrieve samples from deep within the Earth.
What else will you study?
Students generally study chemistry, maths and one other area of interest (often geography) - besides geology in first year.
In second and third year students can choose to study subjects which interest them alongside geology and geophysics.
Geology and geophysics at Sydney
The particular strengths offered in geology and geophysics are in the fields of:
- marine geology
- oceanography
- environmental geology
- sedimentology
- plate tectonics
- petroleum geology and geophysics
- economic geology
- igneous and metamorphic geology
- geographics information systems (GIS)
Computational modelling of earth systems is a growing field of interest which has become an area of outstanding strength at the University.
Career opportunities
Recent graduates of Sydney University have found employment with major international mining, geophysical and petroleum companies and are applying their skills in various localities around the world.
Exploration, oil and mining companies employ geologists and geophysicists to investigate exploration leases or to monitor progress at individual mines or oil and gas fields.
Graduates are also employed by the Australian Geological Survey Organisation based in Canberra and by various divisions of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation throughout Australia.
Other graduates find employment in a wide range of organisations that deal with environmental or engineering site investigations, road building and maintenance, harbour construction and coastal protection, sewage and waste disposal, water supply, excavation and construction materials, national parks, academic tours and forensic or environmental investigation.
Yet other graduates find employment in education, business and academia.
Students who take geology as part of a double degree (BSc/LLB, BCom/BSc) may enter the legal or financial professions.