University of Adelaide

What you'll study

The honours year is a research-led programme that builds on foundational undergraduate training in earth science. You undertake an independent research thesis supervised by academic staff alongside targeted coursework to support your project and broaden technical skills.

• Research thesis — a substantial, supervised research project in an area such as sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, palaeoecology, systematics, taphonomy, or basin analysis, culminating in a written thesis and oral presentation.
• Field skills — intensive fieldwork training including mapping, logging of stratigraphic sections, structural measurements, and field-based sampling; many projects include field campaigns in South Australia and nearby regions.
• Laboratory and analytical techniques — training in fossil preparation, microscopy, morphometrics, geochemical methods relevant to palaeontology (e.g. stable isotopes, elemental analysis), and data analysis using specialist software.
• Core geological subjects — advanced topics such as sedimentology and basin analysis, stratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy, structural geology, and geochronology as they relate to palaeontological interpretation.
• Specialist palaeontology modules — fossil systematics, evolutionary palaeobiology, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and methods for interpreting past biodiversity and ecosystems.

Entry requirements

There are two common entry pathways: direct entry after completing a University of Adelaide Bachelor of Science major in geology/palaeontology, or entry by application from graduates of an equivalent degree elsewhere. Applicants are expected to have a strong background in earth sciences and relevant supporting subjects.

• Completion of an undergraduate degree with a major in geology, palaeontology or closely related earth sciences, or substantial equivalent coursework.
• A competitive academic performance in prior tertiary study; honours places are normally awarded on the basis of academic merit and the availability of suitable supervision. International applicants will be assessed against comparable academic standards.
• Evidence of practical field or laboratory experience is highly desirable. Some projects may require prior competency in specific techniques or software.
• English language proficiency requirements apply for international applicants in line with university regulations.

Career prospects

Graduates with honours in Geology and Palaeontology can move into a range of professional and research roles. The honours year is particularly valuable for those intending to continue into doctoral study or specialised industry positions.

• Mineral and hydrocarbon exploration and resource geology — roles in exploration companies, consultants and government geological surveys.
• Environmental and geotechnical consulting — applying geological knowledge to land-use planning, site investigations and impact assessments.
• Museum and collections-based careers — fossil preparation, curation, collections management and public engagement in natural history institutions.
• Academic and research careers — progression to PhD study and research positions in universities and research institutes focusing on earth history, evolution and palaeoenvironments.
• Science communication and conservation — roles in outreach, education, heritage conservation and policy where expertise in past environments and biodiversity is relevant.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers strong earth-science teaching and research embedded in a state with rich geological diversity and an active minerals sector. Students benefit from hands-on field training, access to university palaeontological collections and modern laboratory facilities, and supervision from research-active staff working across sedimentary geology and palaeobiology.

Close links with industry, state geological surveys and museums provide opportunities for collaborative projects, placements and fieldwork in geologically significant areas of South Australia. The honours year at Adelaide is designed to develop both practical technical skills and the independent research abilities sought by employers and higher-degree research programmes.