Course summary

The degree courses offered by the Department of Earth Sciences are intended to give you as much flexibility as possible while retaining the core Earth Science subjects. Individual degree courses are comprised of modules, and you will take a total of six modules (120 credits) in each academic year. This allows you to follow your own interests, as they develop. In the first year, you will be introduced to major topics in Earth Sciences, developing the practical skills required to study rocks and fossils in the field. In Year 2 you will deepen your understanding of these topics. A key part of this year is to gain the knowledge and skills required to undertake your Dissertation. In Year 3 a mix of compulsory and elective modules allow you to specialise and study topics at the cutting-edge of Earth Sciences. The MSci Earth Sciences course allows those with an aptitude to make the first steps to a research career. The majority of our degrees are accredited by the Geological Society of London, this gives you the assurance our teaching is of the highest quality, has been approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists and provides a fast track to Chartered Geologist status. Our graduates secure employment in the fields of mineral exploration and petroleum geology, engineering geology, environmental and hydrogeology consultancies, GIS companies, geological surveys, as well as securing places on Masters and PhD courses. Numeracy, critical thinking and problem solving skills developed on the course are highly valued in a wide range of non-geoscience careers, including teaching, business management, insurance and accounting, banking and finance. Year 1 Compulsory modules: Earth Materials Understanding Earth Sciences Field Studies Geoinformatics. Optional modules: Environment and Resources Mathematical Methods in Geosciences Further Mathematics for Geoscientists Up to two modules from another academic department. Year 2 Compulsory modules: Fieldwork (Geological) Structural Geology and Tectonics Sedimentary Environments and Paleoecology Igneous and Metamorphic Geochemistry and Petrology. Optional modules: Geophysical Methods for Geoscientists Hydrology and Climate Modelling Earth Processes One module from another academic department. Year 3 Compulsory modules: Dissertation. Optional modules: Petrology, Geochemistry and Global Tectonics Earth System and Climate Earth Structure and Dynamics Advanced Geophysics Geological Evolution and Petroleum Systems of the British Isles Volcanology and Magmatism Deformation Processes of the Lithosphere Environmental Geochemistry Earth Sciences into Schools. We review course structures and core content (in light of e.g. external and student feedback) every year, and will publish finalised core requirements for 2023 entry from September 2022. For more information on this course, please see our website.