You will gain a wide range of applied technical skills, in addition to developing traditional analytical, research and mapping skills. The course will develop your ability to work logically and independently, to acquire, analyse and interpret data; to develop scientific principles and to employ these methods and techniques to solve geological and geographical problems.
The curriculum provides suitable background knowledge in the first year depth in the second year, and a focus on management, practical application and employability in the third year. This will include areas of greatest interest and relevance to society, including exploration and exploitation of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, environmental management, management of hazards and climate change. Your degree will provide you with the knowledge and experience to tackle these areas in employment or further study. You will gain experience in a variety of field and survey skills.
Modules:
Year One
Foundation Physical Science
Foundations in Earth Sciences
Learning, Communication and Employability in Science
Foundation Quantitative Methods
Foundation Mathematics
Foundation Statistics
Foundation Ecology and Environmental Science
Key Ideas in Geography
Year Two
Introductory Geology: Theory
Introductory Geology: Practice
Global Systems
Landform Systems
Introductory Field and Research Skills
Analytical Techniques
Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Year Three
Earth History
Sedimentology
Fluvial and Glacial Environments
Reconstructing Change
Additionally, two modules from the following options:
Structural Geology
Environmental Resource Management
Developing Field Skills
Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
Year Four
Earth Resources
Climatic and Environmental Change
Management of Environmental Hazards
Additionally, three modules from the following options:
Engineering and Environmental Geology
Independent Mapping
Volcanology
Advanced Geospatial Analysis
Regional Field Course
Work-based Learning
Dissertation
Learning and teaching methods
The geology and physical geography degree includes a balanced mix of lectures, tutorials, laboratory periods, computer classes and practical coursework sessions, in addition to local and residential field courses. This will provide you with a wide range of learning opportunities and a superb set of experiences. You can expect to work on a variety of different styles of assignments, whether as an individual or within groups. You will still study six modules each year, with a usual timetabled week of 18 hours.