Program Requirements

The Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) requires the completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

A minimum of 48 units from completion of coursework.

A minimum of 36 units and a maximum of 48 units from completion of the Earth Science Research Project.

A minimum of 48 units from completion of the following coursework component:

24 units from the completion of:

EMSC8017 Research Methods for Earth Sciences

EMSC8032 Earth Science Research Proposal & Presentation

EMSC8033 Computational Geosciences -- Problem Solving, Logical Thinking and Computer Programming

EMSC8034 Research Orientation: Big Questions in the Earth Sciences

A minimum of 6 units from completion of Core Skill courses from the following list:

EMSC8022 Analytical Techniques

EMSC8023 Data Science

A minimum of 12 units from completion of further 6000- and 8000-level courses from the subject area EMSC Earth and Marine Sciences.

A minimum of 36 units and a maximum of 48 units from completion of EMSC8030 Earth Science Research Project, which must be completed in two consecutive semesters.

Students must achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark in the first 48 units of coursework and have the approval of the supervisor for the research project to continue in the Master program.

If the total number of units attempted exceeds 48 in the same teaching period in which the 48th unit is attempted, exactly 48 units will be used in the calculation of the weighted average mark with units from the course with the highest mark applied first followed by further units from course in descending order of marks.

Students who do not achieve a minimum 70% weighted average mark or do not have approval of an identified supervisor will be transferred to the Master of Science in Earth Sciences or a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Master Research

This plan includes a compulsory sub-thesis of a minimum 36 units.

Master Research Training

Prior to commencing the research project, students must complete 30 units of coursework of research training courses:

EMSC8017 Research Methods for Earth Sciences

EMSC8032 Research Proposal and Presentation

EMSC8033 Computational Geosciences -- Problem Solving, Logical Thinking and Computer Programming

EMSC8034 Research Orientation: Big Questions in the Earth Sciences

Either EMSC8022 Analytical Techniques or EMSC8023 Data Science

Capstone Courses

Study Options

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0

with at least 8 courses in a cognate discipline with a grade point average of at least 5.5/7.0 in these courses.

Cognate Disciplines

Earth & Marine Sciences; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Computer Sciences; Astronomy & Astrophysics; Physical Geography; Mathematics; Engineering.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Academic achievement & English language proficiency

The minimum academic requirement for full entry and enrolment is a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.5/7.0.

However, applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes.

If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or

• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English Language Requirements for Admission 

Diversity factors

As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

 Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

Credit Granted

Applicants with a Bachelor degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (1 semester full-time) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (1 year full-time) of credit

Cognate Disciplines

Earth & Marine Sciences; Physics; Chemistry; Biology; Computer Sciences; Astronomy & Astrophysics; Physical Geography; Mathematics; Engineering.

Pathways

Exit to Grad Dip after completion of 48 units or to Master of Studies or Master of Science in Earth Sciences.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

A Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) gives you the opportunity to gain a wide range of knowledge and skills that are relevant for employment in academia, industry, government agencies and education. It is an excellent qualification for pursuing a career at geosciences agencies or within mineral & hydrocarbon exploration, natural resource management, environmental monitoring, data sciences and the energy sector. The program is also an ideal pathway to a PhD in Australia or at leading institutes around the world.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate high level knowledge in their chosen study area.

2. Interpret, synthesize and critically analyse published literature of relevance to the discipline.

3. Design, plan and manage an independent research project to fill a knowledge gap in your chosen field.

4. Acquire, analyse and interpret independent data, from field, laboratory or computational experiments.

5. Apply coursework-based knowledge and skills to independent research.

6. Summarise your results, both orally and in writing, to expert and non-expert audiences.

7. Communicate effectively with university staff, peer students and the wider community on Earth Science topics.

Research Strengths

This plan includes a compulsory sub-thesis of a minimum 36 units.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

New students in this program are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Visit the following website for further information: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/scholarships/graduate-commonwealth-supported-places .

An indicative list of postgraduate level courses offered by Science can be found here.