
The UNSW Applied Geochemistry (GEOS3281) course examines the behaviour of elements in the surface environment, with applications ranging from mineral exploration and regional mapping to environmental assessment. You’ll study the primary and secondary dispersion of elements and weather processes, as well as the key principles underlying sampling and analysis. You’ll also examine the subsequent visualisation and modelling of water, soil, sediment and vegetation geochemical data.
The course focuses on a series of combined lecture-laboratory case studies, including a number from Australia. It follows the typical stages in a geochemical survey that would be encountered in professional practice. This is supplemented by a day trip to investigate geochemical processes at an abandoned mine site.
Term offering: Term 2
Course attendance: In person
Level: Undergraduate - Third year
Discipline: Earth Science
Course code: GEOS3281
Students should have completed at least one of the following courses:
Our Applied Geochemistry graduates have gone on to specialise in the following areas: