Earth Science BSc (Hons)

You’ll think about Earth science in terms of a global, integrated, system. You’ll become familiar with basic physics, chemistry, and mathematics and IT skills, including a basic introduction to programming, data analysis and visualisation.

You’ll explore the physical and optical properties of the common rock-forming minerals, and the importance of minerals to society today. You’ll get an introduction to a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and learn about their classification, compositions and textures. You’ll also relate these aspects to the potential origins of the rocks and their setting within the global tectonic framework.

Using a portfolio of case studies, you’ll learn how to identify a range of geological hazards, as well as the natural and man-made factors that influence them. You’ll explore solutions to reduce the impact of these hazards, and get to grips with the basics of rock behaviour and mechanics.

Through case studies, in-depth lectures and workshops, you’ll think about the nature and extent of human impact on the environment, and learn about the complexities of managing environmental, population and resource change at local and global levels.

Why do continents drift? What forces build majestic mountain ranges? Explore these questions and more on this module. You’ll explore theories on the origin of the Solar System and the Earth while looking into the origin and nature of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and their circulation systems. Learn to describe methods of measuring geological tim and investigate the main processes that characterise the major periods of the Earth's history. You’ll get to grips with the basic building blocks of the Earth's crust and get an introduction to the rocks and minerals that make up common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. You’ll also learn how to read and interpret geological maps, and discover the techniques used for observation and recording geological data.

You’ll learn about important invertebrate fossil groups and their applications, sedimentary materials and processes, and the geological history of our planet. Topics you’ll cover include the principles of palaeontological concepts, an introduction to fossil groups such as trilobites and ammonites, the sedimentary rock cycle and principal sedimentary processes, and the geological history of the British Isles.

You’ll learn about the processes by which important igneous rocks are generated from parental magmas, and how to use chemical and physical criteria and experimental data to interpret metamorphic rocks. You’ll also discover how to demonstrate the nature of geological processes from the mineralogy, textures and structures of igneous and metamorphic rocks.

You’ll learn core theory underpinning GIS and RS, before applying the theory through the use of industry standard software. You’ll explore the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data from a variety of sources to explore 'real world' problems and challenges.

You’ll develop a wide range of vocational and transferable professional skills in communication, interpersonal and teamwork. You’ll think about the needs of employers and the career skills that enhance employability, and learn the field techniques and methods required of professional geoscientists.

On this module, you’ll explore how a broad range of modern continental and marine environments produce different sedimentary facies. You’ll broaden your practical and field sedimentological skills and learn how to in apply your knowledge to making palaeoenvironmental deductions.

From this, you'll learn the important implications for managing geological hazards and understand rock strength for engineering purposes. You'll study how and why rocks deform, and how different types of rocks respond to stress at different depths in the earth's crust. You’ll evaluate the mechanisms involved in the formation of tectonic structures and their implications for large-scale crustal deformation. Develop critical 3D spatial thinking skills, using a range of tools including fieldwork, geological maps, remote sensing, modelling and seismic interpretation to visualise and interpret 3D geological structures.

You’ll explore the physical and chemical properties of water – aquifers, groundwater recharge, storage, and interactions with surface hydrology. You’ll look at the transport of water and contaminants through the groundwater system. You’ll cover concepts of fluid mechanics and Darcy’s law to help you understand flow through porous media. You’ll also cover applications of hydrogeology in engineering and environmental management.

You’ll focus on understanding volcanoes as systems, examining mantle-to-surface magmatic processes and how to identify key volcanic rocks and minerals. You’ll explore volcano-sedimentary sequences alongside geochemical and isotopic data to understand volcanic eruptive histories and magmatic evolution over time. Finally, you’ll also consider the plethora of volcanic hazards and risks alongside risk management strategies as well as other human-volcano interactions.

Spanning from major changes in lithospheric processes in the Hadean to Proterozoic, to in-depth studies of modern plate-tectonics, you’ll get an overview of topics at the forefront of geological science. You’ll also learn how to integrate specialist knowledge in order to address a wide-range of geological problems.

You’ll work in a team to collect and synthesise data with support from industrial consultants. You’ll then analyse your data to produce a project explaining the geological, engineering geological and environmental constraints and issues associated with your project and how these can be overcome.

You’ll cover topics including mineral resource types and importance, exploration methods, mining methods, environmental consequences associated with mining, and the geology of ore deposits. By the end of the module, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to contribute your own ideas to the resource problems currently facing society.

Supported by your Academic Tutor, you'll select and manage information and competently undertake research tasks. You'll assess health and safety, the ethical considerations in pursuing independent research, and critically evaluate your findings against knowledge in available academic literature. You'll learn to discuss and communicate your key findings found from your research and write a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions.

You’ll gain an understanding of modern analytical methods used in Earth and Environmental sciences, ranging from project design and the choice of laboratory techniques, through to data collection, evaluation and interpretation. You’ll also get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art laboratories for environmental chemistry, geochemistry, mineralogy and microscopy.

You’ll look at employment prospects including postgraduate study and research, public engagement, and the commercial sector. You’ll also get training and experience in how palaeontological and sedimentological data may be used as problem-solving tools including, but not limited to, biostratigraphy and sedimentary basin analysis.

On this module, you’ll study Quaternary geology - the branch of geology that studies developments from 2.58 million years ago to the present day. You’ll investigate past environments and associated landform-sediment assemblages of relevance to engineering geologists, geologists and geographers, including glacial and periglacial ground models, fluvial sediments and interglacial environments.

You’ll think about Earth science in terms of a global, integrated, system. You’ll become familiar with basic physics, chemistry, and mathematics and IT skills, including a basic introduction to programming, data analysis and visualisation.

You’ll explore the physical and optical properties of the common rock-forming minerals, and the importance of minerals to society today. You’ll get an introduction to a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and learn about their classification, compositions and textures. You’ll also relate these aspects to the potential origins of the rocks and their setting within the global tectonic framework.

Using a portfolio of case studies, you’ll learn how to identify a range of geological hazards, as well as the natural and man-made factors that influence them. You’ll explore solutions to reduce the impact of these hazards, and get to grips with the basics of rock behaviour and mechanics.

Through case studies, in-depth lectures and workshops, you’ll think about the nature and extent of human impact on the environment, and learn about the complexities of managing environmental, population and resource change at local and global levels.

Why do continents drift? What forces build majestic mountain ranges? Explore these questions and more on this module. You’ll explore theories on the origin of the Solar System and the Earth while looking into the origin and nature of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and their circulation systems. Learn to describe methods of measuring geological tim and investigate the main processes that characterise the major periods of the Earth's history. You’ll get to grips with the basic building blocks of the Earth's crust and get an introduction to the rocks and minerals that make up common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. You’ll also learn how to read and interpret geological maps, and discover the techniques used for observation and recording geological data.

You’ll learn about important invertebrate fossil groups and their applications, sedimentary materials and processes, and the geological history of our planet. Topics you’ll cover include the principles of palaeontological concepts, an introduction to fossil groups such as trilobites and ammonites, the sedimentary rock cycle and principal sedimentary processes, and the geological history of the British Isles.

You’ll find out why the accurate logging of soil and rock is so important to engineering standards, and learn the concepts of simple saturated soil mechanics. Through lectures, laboratory work and field work, you’ll develop the basic knowledge you’ll need for your placement in the ground engineering sector.

You’ll learn core theory underpinning GIS and RS, before applying the theory through the use of industry standard software. You’ll explore the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data from a variety of sources to explore 'real world' problems and challenges.

You’ll explore the physical and chemical properties of water – aquifers, groundwater recharge, storage, and interactions with surface hydrology. You’ll look at the transport of water and contaminants through the groundwater system. You’ll cover concepts of fluid mechanics and Darcy’s law to help you understand flow through porous media. You’ll also cover applications of hydrogeology in engineering and environmental management.

You’ll develop a wide range of vocational and transferable professional skills in communication, interpersonal and teamwork. You’ll think about the needs of employers and the career skills that enhance employability, and learn the field techniques and methods required of professional geoscientists.

From this, you'll learn the important implications for managing geological hazards and understand rock strength for engineering purposes. You'll study how and why rocks deform, and how different types of rocks respond to stress at different depths in the earth's crust. You’ll evaluate the mechanisms involved in the formation of tectonic structures and their implications for large-scale crustal deformation. Develop critical 3D spatial thinking skills, using a range of tools including fieldwork, geological maps, remote sensing, modelling and seismic interpretation to visualise and interpret 3D geological structures.

You’ll study different terrains, where they occur and how they affect societies. Develop techniques of terrain evaluation and the key ideas and skills required to undertake investigations at different scales. You’ll also think about the social and professional role of the professional geoscientist.

You’ll work in a team to collect and synthesise data with support from industrial consultants. You’ll then analyse your data to produce a project explaining the geological, engineering geological and environmental constraints and issues associated with your project and how these can be overcome.

You’ll focus on the processes responsible for range of geological hazards and how these hazards impact on society and the built environment. You’ll also look at techniques and strategies for risk assessment and hazard mitigation, and use case studies to explore earthquake, volcanic, flood, ground subsidence, problematic soils and landslide hazards.

You’ll build on what you’ve already learned to explore the practical and design skills required of a professional Engineering Geologist. You’ll consider the theoretical and practical basis for the assessment of engineering geological and ground water conditions and how they affect the construction process and techniques used. Take part in site visits to active construction sites and hear from industry speakers.

On this module, you’ll study Quaternary geology - the branch of geology that studies developments from 2.58 million years ago to the present day. You’ll investigate past environments and associated landform-sediment assemblages of relevance to engineering geologists, geologists and geographers, including glacial and periglacial ground models, fluvial sediments and interglacial environments.

Supported by your Academic Tutor, you'll select and manage information and competently undertake research tasks. You'll assess health and safety, the ethical considerations in pursuing independent research, and critically evaluate your findings against knowledge in available academic literature. You'll learn to discuss and communicate your key findings found from your research and write a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions.

You’ll think about Earth science in terms of a global, integrated, system. You’ll become familiar with basic physics, chemistry, and mathematics and IT skills, including a basic introduction to programming, data analysis and visualisation.

You’ll explore the physical and optical properties of the common rock-forming minerals, and the importance of minerals to society today. You’ll get an introduction to a variety of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and learn about their classification, compositions and textures. You’ll also relate these aspects to the potential origins of the rocks and their setting within the global tectonic framework.

Using a portfolio of case studies, you’ll learn how to identify a range of geological hazards, as well as the natural and man-made factors that influence them. You’ll explore solutions to reduce the impact of these hazards, and get to grips with the basics of rock behaviour and mechanics.

Through case studies, in-depth lectures and workshops, you’ll think about the nature and extent of human impact on the environment, and learn about the complexities of managing environmental, population and resource change at local and global levels.

Why do continents drift? What forces build majestic mountain ranges? Explore these questions and more on this module. You’ll explore theories on the origin of the Solar System and the Earth while looking into the origin and nature of the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and their circulation systems. Learn to describe methods of measuring geological tim and investigate the main processes that characterise the major periods of the Earth's history. You’ll get to grips with the basic building blocks of the Earth's crust and get an introduction to the rocks and minerals that make up common igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. You’ll also learn how to read and interpret geological maps, and discover the techniques used for observation and recording geological data.

You’ll learn about important invertebrate fossil groups and their applications, sedimentary materials and processes, and the geological history of our planet. Topics you’ll cover include the principles of palaeontological concepts, an introduction to fossil groups such as trilobites and ammonites, the sedimentary rock cycle and principal sedimentary processes, and the geological history of the British Isles.

You’ll explore the fundamental principles of low carbon energy - nuclear, solar, wind and hydro power. You’ll also think about the health effects of environmental radiation, and the fundamental principles of heat transfer and household energy saving technologies.

You’ll learn about the chemical principles behind the Earth's biogeochemical cycles, atmosphere, water resources and soils. Discover monitoring techniques and the analysis of the natural environment. Through group activities and hands-on-practical work, you’ll gain an understanding of varying methods used in analytical environmental chemistry.

You’ll learn core theory underpinning GIS and RS, before applying the theory through the use of industry standard software. You’ll explore the capture, interpretation and analysis of geographical and environmental data from a variety of sources to explore 'real world' problems and challenges.

You’ll develop a wide range of vocational and transferable professional skills in communication, interpersonal and teamwork. You’ll think about the needs of employers and the career skills that enhance employability, and learn the field techniques and methods required of professional geoscientists.

You'll be introduced to and engage in a number of quantitative data collection exercises. This will help develop your ability to work in a team and to collect, collate and record environmental data. It will also introduce the potential career pathways for Environmental Scientists and provide you with the skills required to apply for jobs.

You’ll explore the physical and chemical properties of water – aquifers, groundwater recharge, storage, and interactions with surface hydrology. You’ll look at the transport of water and contaminants through the groundwater system. You’ll cover concepts of fluid mechanics and Darcy’s law to help you understand flow through porous media. You’ll also cover applications of hydrogeology in engineering and environmental management.

You’ll study different terrains, where they occur and how they affect societies. Develop techniques of terrain evaluation and the key ideas and skills required to undertake investigations at different scales. You’ll also think about the social and professional role of the professional geoscientist.

You’ll work in a team to collect and synthesise data with support from industrial consultants. You’ll then analyse your data to produce a project explaining the geological, engineering geological and environmental constraints and issues associated with your project and how these can be overcome.

You’ll learn essential data analysis skills you’ll need for your future career, including how to produce a carbon audit to current Defra standards and how to present data to a range of stakeholders. You’ll also produce a consultancy-style report evaluating environmental impacts and potential savings, and explore the role of environmental impact assessment in the planning system.

Supported by your Academic Tutor, you'll select and manage information and competently undertake research tasks. You'll assess health and safety, the ethical considerations in pursuing independent research, and critically evaluate your findings against knowledge in available academic literature. You'll learn to discuss and communicate your key findings found from your research and write a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions.

You’ll gain an understanding of modern analytical methods used in Earth and Environmental sciences, ranging from project design and the choice of laboratory techniques, through to data collection, evaluation and interpretation. You’ll also get hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art laboratories for environmental chemistry, geochemistry, mineralogy and microscopy.

You’ll examine the physical factors driving climate over history and the signatures of modern anthropogenic influence. Through climate modelling software, you'll investigate future warming scenarios and impacts regionally and globally. In a self-directed study, you'll assess vulnerabilities and solutions - evaluating possibilities for adaptation and mitigating climate change.

You’ll become familiar with the main environmental pollutants, how they’re transferred within and between various media and how they interact with biota to create an environmental risk. You’ll explore the waste management hierarchy and the scientific and technical processes involved with waste management operations.

You’ll focus on the processes responsible for range of geological hazards and how these hazards impact on society and the built environment. You’ll also look at techniques and strategies for risk assessment and hazard mitigation, and use case studies to explore earthquake, volcanic, flood, ground subsidence, problematic soils and landslide hazards.

You’ll get familiar with the big issues and contemporary debates in education studies as well as the role and expectations of a teacher.

You’ll develops fundamental knowledge and skills that teachers require, as well as your capability to structure and critique a lesson plan.

You'll cover botanical identification of major British flora in a series of preparatory workshops and attend a field course that covers habitat surveying and writing a consultancy-style report of industry standard. This is contextualised within the current landscape of ecological consultancy legislation, enhancing employability for ecology related fields.