Geology and Environmental Sciences (International Year One) 2026 entry

Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.

• Semester 1

  • Understanding Planet Earth: introduces the study of Planet Earth, from planetary formation to the present-day processes that control our climate. The course covers topics including the dawn of the solar system, the dynamic nature of the solid Earth, and the surface processes that shape the planet. We introduce oceanography, atmospheric science and the cryosphere to understand how climate has and will continue to change with time.
  • Mathematics A: introduces you to key concepts and methods that will be required for further study in mathematics and other sciences. It will reinforce your skills in common techniques and a range of fundamental topics. You will look at complex numbers, hyperbolic functions and differential equations and should become competent at evaluating common integrals, plotting various functions and solving a range of complex equations.
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 1: helps you develop and practise productive and receptive academic spoken communication skills to use within the International Foundation programme and in your undergraduate programme. 
  • Research and Writing for Science A: explores a range of academic functions, including features of academic style and organisation, academic grammar and vocabulary. You will learn how to evaluate the reliability of a variety of published texts and develop your own academic voice. The aim is to improve your overall academic literacy but with a focus on the texts you need to write for science.

• Semester 2

  • Earth's Resource Challenges (for degrees in Earth Science or Geology): builds on the understanding of planet Earth gained in Semester 1 and highlights the work done by Earth scientists to solve 21st-century resource and environmental challenges. The module investigates the geological processes that generate Earth's 'traditional' resources, such as metals and hydrocarbons, and their environmental impact. You will study 'new' alternative energies such as geothermal and hydropower, discuss resource requirements of a 'Green New Deal' and consider potential environmental solutions, such as carbon capture and pollution remediation strategies.
  • Communicating in Academic Contexts 2: helps you further develop and practise productive and receptive academic oral communication skills that you will need in your degree programme.
  • Research and Writing for Science B: further develops the skills introduced in Research and Writing Skills for Science A in Semester 1. You will be working on more extended research skills using references and learning how to deploy them to support arguments in science. 
  • Mathematics B: following on from Mathematics A in Semester 1, you’ll learn about matrices, limits, vectors, and sequences and series. The module will also introduce the important concept of mathematical proof.

• Teaching and assessment

  Your classes take place Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. In a typical week you will spend around 16 hours a week on your focused learning activities like live lectures, seminars and tutorials. To ensure our students are getting tailored support, we schedule seminar classes with groups of no more than 16 students.  

  You will also be expected to complete around 25 hours of independent study each week to achieve your academic goals.  

  Assessment 

  Each module will have a range of assessments with regular feedback from our teaching team. These assessments may include: 

  • academic essays 
  • exams (in-person or online) 
  • tests 
  • speaking and listening exam 
  • integrated skills exams 
  • leading and participating in seminars 
  • presentations  
  • lab and practical or field trip reports 
  • research projects 

  The grade from each module contributes to the final programme grade. Each module handbook will include information on assessments.