Bachelor of Earth Sciences and Master of Oceanography

Western Australia's extensive coastline is magnificent, hosting pristine rocky reefs and beaches along the South Coast to the coral reefs of the Pilbara and Kimberley regions. This diversity creates an excellent living laboratory for studying the complex interactions between physical, chemical, geological and biological processes.

The Bachelor of Earth Sciences is ideal for students who are curious about the complex system that comprises the solid Earth, its oceans and atmosphere, and the place of Earth in the solar system and beyond. The Master of Oceanography emphasises learning through practical work to gain knowledge and skills in oceanography encompassing scientific and engineering elements of dynamic coastal zones and seafloor geology. 

The combination of these courses provides a strong undergraduate foundation in earth and marine science. Field and laboratory-based skills in terrestrial and marine systems and oceanography lead into the Master of Oceanography, which provides advanced learning of the physical, chemical, geological and biological processes operating in coastal to deep marine environments. This knowledge, together with advanced practical skills, is needed for management of coastal and marine zones with critical social, economic and cultural value that are increasingly impacted by climatic changes. The extensive coastline of WA provides an important natural laboratory to gain skills that are applicable globally.

Increasingly sophisticated technology is used to gain insights into Earth and Ocean materials and processes using principles and techniques from chemistry, physics, biology and maths. This combined degree from UWA will provide you with knowledge and skills that are highly valued by employers of geoscientists and oceanographers. 

Develop your employability skills through a science work placement. The following units are available to all science undergraduate students who are looking to gain practical hands-on industry relevant experience:

• SCIE2205 Science Work Placement Unit
• SCIE2206 Science Consultancy Project

The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) provides innovative and effective solutions to challenges facing the world's oceans. Built for the UWA Oceans Institute, the IOMRC brings together more than 300 marine scientists across disciplines including biodiversity, fishing, tourism, Indigenous engagement, climate change, oceanography and conservation.

Visit the IOMRC webpage

The Ocean Institute’s mission is to draw on our world-leading marine research to tackle issues of national and global significance. We are uniquely placed to provide ocean solutions to real-world challenges, through the breadth and depth of our marine expertise, our state-of-the-art facilities and geographic reach.

Visit the Oceans Institute website