Course summary

Geoscientists are increasingly recognised as playing a crucial role in meeting global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, resource provision, and natural hazards. By placing your geoscience training within the broader context of the environment, you will gain knowledge of both the challenges and the potential solutions. Within your degree, you will consider both natural and man-made environments, to explore the main factors and processes that control today’s environment, how the environment has evolved to its current state and how environmental conditions may change in the future. In addition, your degree will draw upon the expertise of a number of our staff who specialise in Earth science including volcanology, geophysics, hydrogeology and glaciology, who deliver an exciting range of specialist topics to choose from. Your first year will address many of the fundamental themes of the Earth and environmental sciences, from understanding geology to learning about the atmosphere, weather and climate. Specialisation begins in the second year when we introduce Earth science-focused topics, and this degree gives you the flexibility to focus on a specific topic area, for example, geological hazards, soil science, environmental radioactivity or glacial systems. Second year modules, taken abroad, will build on themes introduced in Year 1, whilst offering you a range of specialist Earth science modules to choose from. Many of our students benefit from studying at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, which offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in volcanic or glacial processes. Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster. Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad. In your second year, core modules will prepare you for your third year dissertation project, which is an opportunity to research a subject that really interests you. You may choose a project with a substantial fieldwork component or, alternatively, conduct laboratory-based research or computer modelling. For your second and third year, modules will build upon the themes from year one, and you will have the opportunity to take part in popular field courses, including to Mount Etna in Sicily. There, you will study volcanic processes and learn how the local population can manage the impacts of volcanic phenomena. You will also have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork at Carrock Fell in the scenic Lake District World Heritage Site and take further optional residential modules, from studying glacial processes in Switzerland to environmental challenges in Croatia. Throughout your degree, considerable weight is placed upon the transferable skills that are highly valued by potential employers. For example, in addition to your subject knowledge, you will also gain communication and information technology skills and will become familiar with data handling and environmental sampling and analysis. This programme includes a fourth year of study which enables you to undertake an extended research project, and you will also be given an opportunity to choose from a range of Masters level modules.