Overview2025
Location
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- Course rules
- CRICOS: 010959F
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For years prior to 2015, please view theCourse and Unit Handbook Archive
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"Travel is a great aspect of studying geology here at UTAS. A lot of students are working on projects overseas and this allows exposure to a great diversity of world class geology. Not only that, but Tassie is also a great place for getting out and looking at rocks, with all kinds of unsolved mysteries."
It is the nucleus of the postgraduate teaching program at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits (CODES) and is an integral part of the National Minerals Geoscience Master's Program. The course is typically offered on a part-time, external basis. Full-time admission is reserved for students demonstrating financial and logistical support and a research proposal.
Students considering full-time enrolment should contact the program coordinator, Dr Rob Scott, to discuss their plans.
Course objectives
This Master's program equips professional geoscientists with the up-to-date knowledge and skills required for mineral deposit exploration and exploitation. It provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of economic geology, as well as the latest developments in mineral exploration. You'll gain expertise in the theory, acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of a wide range of geological data sets that underpin the mining value chain. The course is delivered by a team of highly qualified industry professionals, academics, and government experts, providing you with a well-rounded perspective. The course is completed through either six short courses and an in-depth research project, or eight short courses.
Learning outcomes
Practical experience
Workplace-based activities are included in KEA711 and usually form part of the Thesis Project units (KEA724, KEA725). The field-based units KEA707, KEA708 and KEA718 all include visits to active mines.
Career outcomes
This course equips geoscientists with the latest knowledge and practical skills in economic geology.
Course structure
TheMaster of Economic Geologyrequires the completion of 200 credit points, consisting of 150 credit points of coursework units and 50 credit points consisting of either a Research Thesis (Research Pathway) or capstone units (Professional Pathway). All units are weighted at 25 credit points.
(i) All students must complete KEA712, KEA716 and at least one of KEA718, KEA707 or KEA708.
(ii) To demonstrate attainment of the course learning outcomes, students complete either a research thesis (both units KEA724 and KEA725), or any two of the following four units: KEA709, KEA710, KEA711, KEA724.
(iii) The remaining three units may be chosen from KEA707, KEA708, KEA709, KEA710, KEA711 and KEA713, or completed by cross-institutional study through the national Minerals Geoscience Masters (MGM) program. The maximum number of cross-institutional units allowed is three.
Core
Core Units
Modern human society cannot function without minerals and the products made from them. As a major primary producer of a wide range of metals, mining plays a vital role in Australia’s economy and prosperity. However, major new ore deposits are…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA712 Ore Deposit Models and Exploration Strategies
This is a compulsory unit in the Master of Economic Geology, which would normally be taken as the first unit in the degree. This unit teaches the fundamental skills and theory needed by all economic geologists. Topics covered include: ore…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Term 2 | ||||
View all details for KEA716 Fundamentals of Economic Geology
Core Option Unit
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date an review of deposit styles, settings, mineralisation processes, and exploration strategies for ores formed in magmatic arcs. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14-day field-based unit is taught entirely in either Indonesia or…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date reviews of approaches to (i) mapping, (ii) facies analysis, and (iii) understanding mineralisation processes in volcanic terrains. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14 day fieldtrip (10 days on the North Island of…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA708 Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains
This highly practical and largely field-based unit is one of three field-based Core Option units available in the Master of Economic Geology degree. Students must complete one of the field-based units (i.e. either KEA718, KEA707 or KEA708) as part of…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA718 Advanced Field Skills in Economic Geology
Core Option Units
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date an review of deposit styles, settings, mineralisation processes, and exploration strategies for ores formed in magmatic arcs. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14-day field-based unit is taught entirely in either Indonesia or…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date reviews of approaches to (i) mapping, (ii) facies analysis, and (iii) understanding mineralisation processes in volcanic terrains. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14 day fieldtrip (10 days on the North Island of…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA708 Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains
This unit gives students an up-to date review of the theory and practice of geochemistry, hydrology and geochronology as applied in mineral exploration, environmental management and studies of ore deposit genesis. The unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the chemistry…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Winter school | ||||
| Online | Winter school | ||||
View all details for KEA709 Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Hydrology and Geochronology
Exploration in data-rich environments, close to existing mines, has become a preferred method of increasing company resources in recent years. With that exploration philosophy in mind, this Masters-level unit is designed to bring students up to date with the latest…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA710 Exploration in Brownfield Terrains
Geometallurgy involves a quantified and comprehensive approach to ore characterization in terms of critical processing attributes. These include blasting, crushing, grinding, liberation, recovery and environmental management. Key outcomes of improved geometallurgical knowledge are improved forecasting, reduced technical risk, enhanced economic…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Spring school | ||||
Geodata Analytics explains and applies the fundamental concepts of database handling and manipulation, statistical analyses, pattern recognition and machine learning for the processing, analysis and modelling of large volumes of multivariate geoscience data. Rigorous approaches to integrating, analysing, visualising and…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Research or Professional Pathway
Research Pathway
This unit constitutes the first half of the 50 credit point Masters of Economic Geology research thesis, but can also be completed as a stand-alone 25 credit point research unit. In this unit, students (i) review and summarise scientific literature…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit constitutes the second half of the 50 credit point Masters of Economic Geology research thesis. In this unit, students (i) complete collection, analysis and interpretation of data for their research project, (ii) make findings and draw conclusions based…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Professional Pathway
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date an review of deposit styles, settings, mineralisation processes, and exploration strategies for ores formed in magmatic arcs. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14-day field-based unit is taught entirely in either Indonesia or…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
This predominantly field-based unit provides up-to-date reviews of approaches to (i) mapping, (ii) facies analysis, and (iii) understanding mineralisation processes in volcanic terrains. The centrepiece of the unit is a 14 day fieldtrip (10 days on the North Island of…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA708 Volcanology and Mineralisation in Volcanic Terrains
This unit gives students an up-to date review of the theory and practice of geochemistry, hydrology and geochronology as applied in mineral exploration, environmental management and studies of ore deposit genesis. The unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the chemistry…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Winter school | ||||
| Online | Winter school | ||||
View all details for KEA709 Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Hydrology and Geochronology
Exploration in data-rich environments, close to existing mines, has become a preferred method of increasing company resources in recent years. With that exploration philosophy in mind, this Masters-level unit is designed to bring students up to date with the latest…
Credit Points:25
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KEA710 Exploration in Brownfield Terrains
Geometallurgy involves a quantified and comprehensive approach to ore characterization in terms of critical processing attributes. These include blasting, crushing, grinding, liberation, recovery and environmental management. Key outcomes of improved geometallurgical knowledge are improved forecasting, reduced technical risk, enhanced economic…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Spring school | ||||
Geodata Analytics explains and applies the fundamental concepts of database handling and manipulation, statistical analyses, pattern recognition and machine learning for the processing, analysis and modelling of large volumes of multivariate geoscience data. Rigorous approaches to integrating, analysing, visualising and…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit constitutes the first half of the 50 credit point Masters of Economic Geology research thesis, but can also be completed as a stand-alone 25 credit point research unit. In this unit, students (i) review and summarise scientific literature…
Credit Points:25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Admission to postgraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the prior completion of an AQF7/8 (or equivalent) undergraduate degree. Specific requirements for admission to the Master of Economic Geology are as follows:
(i) a Bachelor of Science/Applied Science (Honours) majoring in geoscience (or a closely related discipline), or
(ii) a Bachelor of Science/Applied Science majoring in geoscience (or a closely related discipline), and at least two years professional experience as a geoscientist working in the minerals industry or government, or
(iii) a Graduate Certificate in Economic Geology (K5F)
Prospective students lacking a BSc (geoscience major), but who have at least two years professional experience as a geoscientist, or applicants with a BSc (without Honours) majoring in geoscience but lacking the minimum two-years professional experience, may be eligible for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Economic Geology (K5F), and may continue into the Master of Economic Geology following completion of that course.
To demonstrate eligibility for admission to the Master of Economic Geology, all applicants must provide copies of their previous academic transcripts. Applicants seeking entry to the course based partly on their previous professional experience should provide their curriculum vitae and the names and contact details for two professional referees. Further information about Postgraduate courses at the University of Tasmania may be found here:https://www.utas.edu.au/study/postgraduate, and the online application enquiry form may be found here:https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply.
For International students
International applicants to the MEconGeol program must meet the same entry requirements as Domestic students. Additionally, international applicants from non-English speaking countries must meet the following English language test requirements for entry to UTAS:
- IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
- TOEFL (PBT) 575 TWE 4.5; TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no score below 20)
- PTE Academic 50 with no score lower than 50
- UTAS DEAP Overall 60% (Writing 60%)
International students wishing to undertake the MEconGeol degree on a full-time basis, must (1) complete the 50-credit point research thesis as part of the degree and (2) provide to the university proof that they have the necessary financial resources (e.g. scholarship, company sponsorship, self-funded, etc) to complete the degree (living costs, tuition fees and other course costs, e.g. travel and field costs, funding for research project)
International students completing the MEconGeol degree on a part-time basis do not require a Student Visa to enter Australia (where necessary) to attend coursework units. International students studying full-time and based in Australia required an Australian Student Visa.
Credit transfer
25 credit pts awarded for (i) each non-UTAS Minerals Geoscience Masters unit completed in 5 yrs prior to admission (official transcripts required, max. 3 units), or subsequently by cross-institutional study (max. 3 units) and (ii) each MEconGeol unit completed as a non-enrolled industry participant in the 5 yrs prior to admission (max. 2). Credit may be awarded for equivalent units completed at other universities (official transcripts and supporting documentation required, max. 2 units).
Articulation
Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Economic Geology (K5F) may be awarded the MEconGeol degree by completing a further six 25 credit point units, subject to the MEconGeol course rules.
Students who complete a 50 credit point research thesis as part of the degree qualify for admission to the PhD program.
The Master of Economic Geology is part of the national Minerals Geosciences Masters (MGM) program, allowing UTAS students to take specific Masters-level economic geology focussed units delivered by the University of Western Australia and Curtin University for credit towards their UTAS degree. Conversely, students enrolled in the UWA Master of Ore Deposit Geology can complete MEconGeol units for credit towards their UWA degree.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic postgraduate student, you might be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing aHECS-HELPloan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available atScholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more aboutstudent contribution amounts.
An important note on Youth Allowance and AustudyThe Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented Master courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit ourScholarships, Fees and Costs websitefor further information.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available atScholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsoryStudent Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Serviceswebsiteto find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2025 Total Course Fee (international students):$ 78,457 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $38,554 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is anindicative feeonly.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit thescholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries