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Environmental Geoscience is concerned with the interaction between the Earth sciences and human activity, and provides a sound topical background in the environmental aspects of the Earth sciences. The programme is fully accredited by the Geological Society of London.
Prospectus:
Further enquiries:
The programme offers an integrated study of the Earth, encompassing the evolution of the planet and its internal workings, the development of its biosphere and atmosphere, and its surface processes, emphasising natural and man-induced development of the terrestrial environment.
You will gain a scientific training which allows an examination of environmental issues related to the Earth sciences, such as those concerned with natural resources, their use to society, the disposal of waste outputs and the understanding and minimisation of geohazards. The strong emphasis on fieldwork provides a unique opportunity to develop independent and team skills and problem-solving abilities.
The programme assumes no previous knowledge of the Earth sciences but builds on a firm foundation of basic science acquired during the first two years. The third year of teaching is research-led, based around the Department's research strengths and research grouping, and includes a field-based independent research project. Up to 30 credits of optional modules in year two and three can be chosen from outside the department. If a student wishes to take a module from outside the department, permission from the undergraduate tutor and/or the programme director and the teaching department that run the module will be needed.
The first two years of the BSc and MSci programmes will be the same. However, the additional fourth year of the MSci allows for an individual research project and advanced options, providing extra depth and breadth of knowledge. We recommend you apply for an MSci initially, as this keeps more options open.
Year 1 Bsc/MSci
Core or compulsory modules
Term 1:
- GEOL0001 Earth Materials
- GEOL0005 Foundations of Physical Geoscience (compulsory for students who don’t have A-Level Maths)
- GEOL0007 The Earth
- GEOL0058 Matlab
- GEOL0003 History of Life
- GEOL0078 Mathematical Methods for Geoscience (compulsory for students who have A-Level Maths)
Term 2:
- GEOL0004 Dynamic Earth
- GEOL0006 Surface Processes
- GEOL0008 Geochemistry
- GEOL0015 Maps, Images & Structures
Optional modules:
Term 1:
None
Fieldwork:
- GEOL0015 Maps, Images & Structures (Dorset field course of 6 days)
Year 2 Bsc/MSci
Core or compulsory modules
Term 1:
Term 2:
Optional modules:
Term 1:
- GEOL0009 Vertebrate Palaeontology & Evolution
- GEOL0012 Global Geophysics
- GEOL0016 Structural Geology & Tectonics
Term 2:
- GEOL0010 Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- GEOL0013 Principles of Climate
- GEOL0018 Numerical Methods for Earth Sciences
Fieldwork:
Other modules are available from the GEOG and STS departments. Please get permission from both the teaching department and the Undergraduate Tutor and ensure that there are no clashes on your timetable. Failure to do so may result in you being rejected from the module.
Year 3 Bsc/MSci
Core or compulsory modules
Term 1:
Term 2:
Optional modules:
Term 1:
- GEOL0020 Field Geophysics
- GEOL0021 Biodiversity & Macroevolutionary Patterns
- GEOL0022 Ocean Physics & Climate Change
- GEOL0026 Earth and Planetary Materials
- GEOL0043 Tectonic Geomorphology
- GEOL0070 Volcanoes, Society and the Environment
Term 2:
- GEOL0023 Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building & Basin Evolution (fieldtrip only; no classroom element, taught in the Easter vacation)
- GEOL0045 Palaeoclimate and Palaeoenvironmental Change
- GEOL0057 Geodynamics & Global Tectonics
- GEOL0061 Statistics for Geoscientists
- GEOL0068 Applied Geoscience for Mineral Resources
- GEOL0069 Artifical Intelligence for Earth Observations
Fieldwork:
- Various Locations, part of GEOL0024 Geological/Environmental Mapping Project (takes place over summer, before term 1).
- Royal Greenwich Park, Greenwich, part of GEOL0020 (takes place in September preceding the start of Year 3)
- SE Spain, GEOL0023 fieldtrip only; no classroom element,(taught in the Easter vacation)
Compulsory modules MSci:
Term 1 & 2:
Optional modules MSci:
Term 1:
- GEOL0026 Earth & Planetary Materials (if not taken in Year 3)
- GEOL0022 Ocean Physics and Climate Change (if not taken in Year 3)
- GEOL0041 Physical Volcanology & Volcanic Hazard
- GEOL0043 Tectonic Geomorphology (if not taken in Year 3)
- GEOL0044 Palaeoceanography
- GEOL0062 Geological, Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Hazards
- GEOL0070 Volcanoes, Society and the Environment (if not taken in Year 3)
- CEGE0033 Seismic Risk Assessment
- CENG0035 Minerals Usage, Extraction and Processing
Term 2:
- GEOL0045 Palaeoclimate and Palaeoenvironmental Change (if not taken in Year 3)
- GEOL0069 Artificial Intellingence for Earth Observation
- GEOL0061 Statistics for Geoscientists (if not taken in Year 3)
- GEOL0066 Meteorological and Hydrological Hazards
Fieldwork:
- Germany, part of GEOL0039 Earth & Planetary System Science.
Your Learning
We use a mixture of lectures, practical classes, field courses, directed reading, problem-orientated learning, private study and tutorials to enable you to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills demanded by the programme, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working and organisational skills.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports and an oral examination.