Courses

Geoscience (B.Sc. Single Honours)               

• Introduction
• Programme Aims
• Degree Structure
• Contact Information

Introduction

Geoscience encompasses all aspects of Earth science. It is the application of scientific methodologies and techniques aimed at understanding how our planet evolved and functions. It blends the theory and techniques of geology, geophysics and geochemistry to determine Earth's surface, near surface and internal processes. In short, Geoscience is the disciplines that enable us to comprehend how the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere have developed over time. Importantly, it affords the training to assess and constrain predictions of future Earth System change through documentation and understanding of how Earth functioned during past periods of geological change. Geoscientists also supply the expertise to find and develop natural resources, and these form the foundation upon which the sustainability of societies and economies are built.

The programme provides training to facilitate understanding of the physical processes which shape the planet we live on. It will enable you to contribute to solving geological problems that can affect the well being of society, advance understanding of Earth System processes, and influence the utilisation of natural resources that ultimately lead to natural wealth creation. Graduates are highly sought after for careers in industry, governmental agencies and for further postgraduate training and research. Graduates enter employment in a wide range of settings and become lifelong learners with an appreciation of the value of a training-based education that develops a wide range of transferable skills and deep learning.

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Programme Aims

The programme aims to produce graduates who:

• are trained in a suite of analytical, field and laboratory skills necessary for understanding and solving geoscientific problems;
• have a solid foundation in the scientific framework and principles that lead to enhancing knowledge of physical processes and anthropogenic influences on those processes;
• are trained with acquiring, handling and assessing data from a wide variety of field and lab-based problem solving settings, and in presenting and communicating their findings;
• will appreciate the importance of geoscience in sustaining economies and the social responsibility of what it means to be a professional geoscientist;
• will have acquired to a high level the range of critical thinking and training in hypothesis testing required to assess geoscientific data;
• will have developed the confidence to think independently and critically and use their scientific understanding to investigate geological and environmental problems;
• will appreciate the importance and pleasure in learning through open-minded, objective attitudes;
• will gain competence to pursue a wide range of employment opportunities including industry, governmental agencies and postgraduate research.

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Degree structure

The first two years of the degree programme is spent completing the core training. In First Year, a typical combination of courses would be Geoscience and two allied subjects (Geography, Sustainable Development, Chemistry, Biology and Astronomy are popular choices but other combinations are possible). In Second Year, there are two courses undertaken; one is in Geoscience and the other is in a subject area of your choice - most usually one of the other subjects also studied in first year.

At Honours level, about 50% of the degree programmes is core material, designed to fulfil all the necessary skills and training required, and the remainder of the degree credits are for optional modules selected from a wide range of topics available within the School. This structure allows for rigorous skills training while giving students the flexibility to explore different topics and design their degree.

Joint Honours degrees with Environmental Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Management and Management Science are also possible.

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Contact Information

For further details about this course, please contact:

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