WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering involves finding the best sequence of chemical and physical processing operations, and the right operating conditions, to convert raw materials into higher-value products.

We offer both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework and research (MPhil and PhD) degrees in Chemical Engineering as well as industrial short courses in targeted areas.

Research activities have grown substantially over the past 25 years and continue to with participation from industry.

Our undergraduate courses

• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Hons)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Chemistry)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Hons), Bachelor of Science (Extractive Metallurgy)

Our postgraduate courses

• Graduate Diploma in Professional Engineering (Chemical)
• Master of Professional Engineering (Chemical)

Exploration geophysics is a non-invasive and non-destructive applied Earth Science that utilises physical phenomena to remotely image and characterise the subsurface. It has applications in environmental studies such as groundwater sustainability, geothermal research and carbon capture and storage, as well as the resources industry.

When you study geophysics at Curtin you will use seismic, magnetic, electromagnetic, radiometric and gravitational technologies and techniques to determine the structure and composition of natural (and sometimes artificial) materials below the Earth’s surface without the need for drilling or excavation. During this process you will use advanced software and hardware to collect, process, display and interpret data, and apply physics, computing and mathematics in practical ways on commercial and environmental projects.

In the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2015 assessment, Curtin University ranked above world standard in Geophysics.

Professional recognition

We are a dedicated team of highly respected, professional trainers and researchers who will provide you with all the skills and training you need to become a fully-qualified professional geophysicist. When you complete your geophysics degree with us you will be able to gain admission to the following prestigious societies:

• The Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG)
• Society of Exploration Geophysicists (United States)
• The European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE)
• The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

Mineral and Energy Economics offers postgraduate courses for energy and resources sector professionals looking to advance their career and originated within the WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM) in Kalgoorlie, a prominent mining town for over a century. Since its foundation in 1902 WASM has earned a reputation as an important centre of mining education both within Australia and internationally.

Most of our students are mid-career resource sector professionals aiming to broaden their skills to move into more senior management or decision-making roles from government and private sector companies.  About 30 per cent of students are mining engineers, 30 per cent are geologists and 15 per cent are metallurgists.  The remainder are a mix of commerce/business, economics and law graduates.  The average age is 33 years.  While most are from the region, we also enjoy support from other parts of Australia and internationally. Over the span of the program, it has attracted students from 25 nations.  Graduates from the programs may be found in a range of senior managerial and decision-making roles in sectors such as consulting, government, politics, construction and mining and energy related companies.

In the Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking (Energy and Natural Resources) 2019, Curtin University is ranked number one in Australia and second in Oceania for its Master of Science (Mineral and Energy Economics).

Our postgraduate courses

• Graduate Certificate in Minerals and Energy Economics
• Master of Science (Minerals and Energy Economics)
• Master of Science (Minerals and Energy Economics), Master of Business Administration

Mining and Metallurgy is located at both Curtin’s Perth campus and in the dynamic city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, in the heart of the Western Australian gold and nickel industry.

Our discipline area provides teaching and research focused toward mining and metallurgical processing operations which encompass: the conversion of mineral and chemical resources into metallic; refining and processing to produce high performance materials for applications from consumer products to auto mobiles, aerospace and electronics.

Find out more about our Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering majors.

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, Curtin University ranked 1^st in Australia and 2^nd in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering.

Our undergraduate courses

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) (Hons)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Metallurgy) (Hons)
• Bachelor of Science (Extractive Metallurgy)

Our postgraduate courses

• Graduate Diploma in Mining
• Graduate Diploma in Professional Engineering (Mining)
• Graduate Diploma in Metallurgy
• Master of Professional Engineering (Mining)

Petroleum Engineering offers a unique blend of academic excellence and industrial expertise to the oil and gas industry.

Members of the faculty have a proven track record in academia and many years’ experience in the petroleum industry. This provides a strong theoretical base coupled with a practical approach to solving real-life industrial problems.

Our academic members possess research qualifications at the Doctorate level in subjects that span the pure science and engineering disciplines. This range of talent is used to tackle specific problems of relevance to the petroleum industry and promotes an applied environment for the supervision of Masters and PhD students. A comprehensive teaching program at the Master’s level complements these research and development activities. The emphasis is on developing graduates with the skills which industry needs, as quickly as possible. Consequently, a large percentage of the time is spent in applying the course material to real oil and gas field data.

Curtin is closely associated with the Western Australia (WA) Oil and Gas industry and has the support of both oil and service companies alike. Companies often provide scholarships, research grants, teaching support, software and hardware donations. We also work with international partners such as Chevron and Shell U.S., Saudi Aramco and Petrobras of Brazil.

Petroleum Engineering has an Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) which meets to provide guidance on what industry would like to see provided in terms of general teaching, taught unit content, courses and research areas. The IAC is involved in assisting the planning and structure of the department, and is often instrumental in assisting students with industrial projects and occasional teaching support.

Our undergraduate courses

• Bachelor of Engineering (Petroleum) (Hons)

Our postgraduate courses

• Graduate Diploma in Professional Engineering (Petroleum)
• Master of Professional Engineering (Petroleum)
• Master of Professional Engineering (Subsea)

Partners

• BHP
• BP
• Chevron
• ConocoPhillips
• Corelab
• Department of Mines, Industry Regulations and Safety
• Engineers Australia
• Halliburton
• Kappa Engineering
• Oilfield Technologies
• Petroleum Experts
• Santos
• Schlumberger
• Shell
• Weatherford
• Woodside