Geological and Environmental Hazards at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

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Course summary

Overview If you're interested in becoming part of the global network of professionals who predict and prepare for geological and environmental hazards such as earthquakes or volcanic activity, this Geological and Environmental Hazards Master's course will give you the technical skills, training and fieldwork experience you'll need. The course focuses on the physical processes that take place in the Earth that cause geological hazards. You'll be trained by experts in hazard identification, terrain evaluation, hazard modelling and risk assessment techniques. You'll learn how to manage – and mitigate – the impact of floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes and coastal erosion. You'll use our geotechnics and rock mechanics labs to analyse and charactorise geological materials. You'll use spatial analysis tools, simulation software and data analysis to assess the risks of natural hazards. And, you'll design and implement an advanced research project, and produce a detailed report. A field trip to Sicily is an integral part of the Volcanology and Seismology module, where you'll record and report field data related to volcanic activity, seismology and earthquake geology in the Mediterranean region. Earth systems and environmental sciences at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 4th of all post-1992 universities for research quality as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The School of Environment, Geography and Geosciences offers a limited number of scholarships for international postgraduate students. This course is accredited by The Geological Society of London. Eligibility This course accepts UK, EU, and international students. Course highlights

  • Become skilled in the application of specialist techniques including numerical hazard modelling and simulation, catastrophe modelling, field reconnaissance and geomorphological mapping, geotechnical testing, spatial analysis and remote sensing
  • Learn about physical processes that affect and control natural hazards, including volcanology and earthquakes, flooding and hydrological hazards, coastal erosion, slope instability and landslides
  • Take part in research-based field trips, both locally and to Sicily where you’ll research volcanics and active tectonics
  • Complete your own independent research project with opportunities to work with industrial partners on a joint project. Previous partners have included SOCOTEC and Fugro
Careers and opportunities Once you complete this MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards degree, you'll be able to apply your lab and field experience in small and medium-sized enterprises or in global businesses or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Graduates of this course have gone onto roles such as:
  • Civil engineer
  • Geo-environmental consultant
  • Geotechnical enginner
  • Geographic Information Systems Analyst
  • GIS Geographical Information Systems Technician
  • Junior Catastrophe Risk Analyst
  • Project engineer
  • Technical integrator
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies such as:
  • Fugro
  • Radioactive Waste Management
  • Gateley
Career outcomes shown are sourced from the latest available graduate outcome surveys. The data shows career outcomes at 15 months after graduation. Course structure Full-time (1 year) We recommend that full-time students allocate around 37 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job. Approximately:
  • 12 hours (2 days) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
  • 25 hours of self-directed study time per week
Part-time (2 years) We recommend that part-time students allocate around 18 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a part-time job. Approximately:
  • 6 hours (1 day) of on-campus, in-person teaching per week
  • 12 hours of self-directed study time per week

Modules

All modules on this MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards (full-time) course are core.

  • Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
  • Research Skills and Project (60 credits)
  • Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
On this part-time course, you'll study two optional modules in year 1.
  • Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
  • Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
On this part-time course, you'll study one core module and two optional modules in year 2. Core:
  • Research Skills and Project (60 credits)
Optional:
  • Geomechanics of Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Hazard Modelling and Risk Assessment (30 credits)
  • Terrain Evaluation and Natural Hazards (30 credits)
  • Volcanology & Seismology (30 credits)
Changes to course content We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

Assessment method

You'll be assessed through:

  • coursework
  • poster and oral presentations
  • project and technical reports
  • literature reviews
  • lab reports
  • essays
- online tests

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Geological Society

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree or equivalent in Geology, Earth Science, Applied Geology, Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline. Industrial experience will also be considered on an individual basis.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 176 with no component score less than 169.
TOEFL (iBT)91 with a minimum of 20 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 20 in Writing.
PTE AcademicAn overall score of 61 with a minimum of 54 in each skill.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £10400 Year 1
England £10400 Year 1
Northern Ireland £10400 Year 1
Scotland £10400 Year 1
Wales £10400 Year 1
Channel Islands £10400 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £10400 Year 1
International £19200 Year 1

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
Geological and Environmental Hazards at University of Portsmouth - UCAS