Project In Geoscience (GEOL90024)

The Project in Geoscience is a program of supervised research that forms a capstone for the Master of Geoscience degree, allowing students to translate the knowledge and skills gained during the degree into practice. Students will plan and carry out research into an industry-relevant and/or academic problem. They will communicate their research via written reports and an oral presentation, justifying their conclusions and recommendations as if to an industry client, collaborator or academic researcher. A wide range of projects are possible, with relevance to a variety of geoscience disciplines and career areas, and based in the laboratory, field or office.  

The Project in Geoscience is a compulsory subject within the Master of Geoscience that should be taken during the second year of study. Students are encouraged to approach potential supervisors well in advance of commencing the subject. The Subject Coordinator can help students identify potential supervisors in their preferred areas of research. 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Evaluate existing information relating to an outstanding problem in either industry-directed or theoretical Geoscience;
• Formulate one or more research questions that address the gaps in current knowledge, understanding and/or technical capability;
• Design a program of investigation that will address the research questions within the available timeframe and given the available resources;
• Record, analyse and interpret the results of this investigation;
• Communicate the aims, methods, results and conclusions of the investigation verbally and in writing, using clear and appropriate technical language and figures.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills: