"Already Got A Degree in Maths Or Physics But You're Not Sure What To Do Next?"

Why not consider a career in the Resources Industry and apply to enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Geophysics at Curtin University in 2009...

 

The Graduate Diploma in Geophysics is a specially designed conversion course that will provide you with all the training you'll need to gain entry into the field of Geophysics.

If you've completed (or will complete this year) a Maths, Physics, Engineering, Geology or Surveying degree but you're having trouble finding a job, or you want to change your career goals, then this first qualification in geophysics will give you a foot in the door when you're looking to kickstart a career in the resources industry, particularly in minerals exploration.

What the Graduate Diploma in Geophysics will do for you...

Professional recognition
This award is recognised by the Commonwealth Public Service Board as satisfying its requirements for appointment as a professional geophysicist. The Graduate Diploma in Geophysics also satisfies the academic requirements for membership to the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (USA) and the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers.

Employment Opportunities
Finding a job won't be a problem. With the current resources boom underway in Australia, geophysicists are in high demand and with this award you'll easily find work here as an entry level professional geophysicist. But if you don't want to work in Australia, our Graduate Diploma in Geophysics is an internationally recognised award that will help you get a job anywhere in the world.

Further Studies
 

When you complete the Graduate Diploma in Geophysics, you can continue your studies by enrolling in a Master of Science (Geophysics) degree. During this course you'll be trained in advanced geophysical techniques that will give you even more employment opportunities in the resources industry, especially petroleum exploration.

The Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Geophysics is structured to be completed over 1 year (full time) or 2 years (part time).

Semester 1 units covered are:

• Gravity and Magnetics
  This unit covers magnetic and gravity theory as applied to ground and airborne survey applications and how you should design and execute surveys based on these theories. You'll gain an understanding of magnetic and gravity data processing techniques and find out how to interpret the datasets related to these techniques. You'll also investigate current and future trends in potential field research.

• Introductory Seismic
  In this unit you'll cover the typical seismic methods used in oil and gas exploration. You'll be able to recognise and analyse all of the common wave modes in seismic data and perform basic survey planning for refraction studies. You'll also learn the common processes of transforming field data into an interpretable form, perform basic interpretation of seismic reflection data and map geological forms in a grid.

• Resistivity and Induced Polarisation
  In this unit you'll be learn about typical electrical conductivities of major rock types and minerals and explain the IP effect and where it may be expected. You'll design an electrical survey for a particular target, prepare a short field report, fit sounding data and provide an interpretation. You'll also discover the principles behind electrical forward modelling in a single dimension and find out about common pitfalls in interpreting electrical data.

• Global Geophysics
  This unit covers the major structures of the earth and their properties and how the application of geophysical methods can be used to assist with the study of the earth. You'll learn, in broad terms, the structure and evolution of the universe and solar system and how to apply knowledge of the physics of the earth to explain various geohazards.

• Geophysical Data Analysis
  This unit covers the processes of convolution and correlation and the use of Fourier methods of data analysis. You'll also learn how to design and implement digital filters for time series processes.

 

Semester 2 units covered are:

• Electromagnetics and Radiometrics
  In this unit you'll learn the principles of electromagnetism (EM) and radiometrics and discover how they're used in geophysics. You'll learn about frequency and time domain EM systems, magnetotellurics (MT) and controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT). Other subjects such as system characteristics and response forms; field configurations; modelling and interpretation techniques; applications and geoelectrical considerations are also covered. You'll also find out about the natural radioactivity of rocks and minerals, instrumentation, interpretation and applications.

• Data Processing for Minerals and Petroleum
  The minerals and petroleum data processing units provide you with an introduction to advanced techniques and exploration practices in geophysical processing and interpretation. During the course of this unit you'll learn the theory behind minerals and petroleum data processing. You'll solve basic problems in geophysical data processing and interpretation in our computer laboratories using current commercial geophysical packages such as ProMAX, Geosoft, Encom and ER Mapper to process and interpret geophysical data sets.

• Environmental Geophysics
  In this unit you'll gain a basic knowledge of how geophysical methods are used in environmental studies. You'll learn about soil porosity and its relationship to conductivity measurements, the electrical properties of soils, rocks and groundwater and how magnetic surveys can determine geological influences on dry land salinity. You'll also cover a variety of other topics including groundwater exploration, groundwater contamination, how geophysical surveys can impact the environment and how geophysics can be used in archaeology.

• Seismic Acquisition
  This unit provides you with a sound knowledge of seismic data acquisition methods including their history and economics. You'll cover a variety of related topics including seismic reflection, numerical modelling, land, marine and transitional zone seismic receivers. You'll also discover how techniques such as weighted arrays, far field testing, coordinate systems and instrumentation are used in data acquisition, survey design and interpretation.

• Geophysics Project
  During this unit you'll gain hands on experience in the planning, execution and interpretation of geophysical surveys. You'll also learn how to operate a variety of geophysical field instrumentation and gain experience in exploration report writing.

 

Contact Us

If you need any further information on this course please contact us via email at:

studentinfo@geophy.curtin.edu.au

 

You can also call us directly on 08 9266 3565 (International: +61 8 9266 3565).

 

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS EXCITING OPPORTUNITY!!

The end of the year will be here before you know it...

 

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