Fundamentals of Economic Geology unit (KEA716)

Online

Introduction

This is a compulsory unit in the Master of Economic Geology and Graduate Certificate of Economic Geology and would normally be taken as the first unit in both courses. This unit introduces fundamental skills and theory needed by all economic geologists. Topics covered include: mineral systems and metallogenesis; ore deposit classes (e.g. epigenetic/syngenetic; hydrothermal/magmatic/ sedimentary); environments of ore formation; ore, gangue and alteration mineralogy; ore textures; and controls on primary (e.g. hypogene) and secondary (e.g. supergene) chemical and mineral zonation around ore deposits. The unit introduces the tools, software and approaches used to interpret the mineralogy, paragenesis, geochemistry and geophysical characteristics of rocks from ore-forming environments. There is a particular focus on features resolvable at the outcrop and hand specimen scale. In this unit you will develop and apply skills in hydrothermal and ore mineral identification and textural analysis to recognise and interpret ore-forming processes and products and their implications for (i) mineral exploration, (ii) mineral processing, and (iii) strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of mining. The unit is delivered online in two parts. The first part involves self-paced, pre-recorded content and associated assessments, normally completed over 5 - 6 weeks (approx. 10 hrs/week). Weekly tutorials (live online, with recordings available) during Part 1 will support your engagement and understanding of the unit content and requirements for the assessment tasks. Part 2 (generally in mid- to late-April) is delivered live-online in an intensive, six-day block with a mix of lectures and interactive tutorial and practical sessions.

Summary

Unit name	Fundamentals of Economic Geology
Unit code	KEA716
Credit points	25
College/School	Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences
Discipline	CODES ARC
Coordinator	Professor David Cooke
Delivered By
Level	Postgraduate

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify minerals and rock textures from ore-forming environments
• Use paragenetic criteria to determine the number, sequence and nature of geological events in ore-forming environments.
• Recognise exploration and ore genesis implications of geochemical and geophysical anomalies and alteration mineral zonation patterns in ore-forming environments.
• Infer formation conditions (i.e. pressure-temperature-fluid composition) for alteration minerals and mineral assemblages.
• Select research tools and methodologies to characterise geological samples from mineralized environments.
• Communicate the findings of scientific investigations to professional and/or academic audiences.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
010703	$2,384.00	$2,384.00	not applicable	$7,150.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is delivered online in two parts. The first part involves self-paced, pre-recorded content and associated assessments, normally completed over 5 - 6 weeks (approx. 10 hrs/week). Weekly tutorials (live online, with recordings available) during Part 1 will support your engagement and understanding of the unit content and requirements for the assessment tasks. Part 2 (generally in mid- to late-April) is delivered live-online in an intensive, six-day block with a mix of lectures and interactive tutorial and practical sessions.
Assessment	Assessment Task 2. Ore genesis controversies essay (15%)|Assessment Task 1. Quizzes (20%)|Assessment Task 4. Rock interpretation practicals (20%)|Assessment Task 5. Grassy Tungsten Skarn Assignment (20%)|Assessment Task 3 Mineralogy literature review video (25%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

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