Undergraduate course
Our typical offer
Our integrated Geology master degree programme gives you the added experience of masters level modules in your fourth year and supports your in-depth research of a cutting-edge topic of your choice with a leading expert in the field.
Professor Gregory Price
Professor of Earth Sciences
GEES1201
Sustainable Geoscience
20 credits
Kick off your degree by gaining an understanding of the important role of geoscientists in solving today’s biggest environmental issues (e.g. the energy transition, sustainable development) alongside exploring the fundamentals of Earth history and structure (e.g. plate tectonics, climate change, evolution of life). Through field, tutorial and lecture-based teaching this module will support your transition to university.
60% Coursework
40% Practicals
GEES1202
Earth Materials and Resources
20 credits
Discover Earth’s building blocks and how dynamic Earth processes shape geologic materials. You will gain the observational skills needed to unravel how the Earth works, including getting hands on using our 5G-enabled microscope lab. You will learn to read geological maps and use them to decipher the sequence of geological events that have shaped our planet’s history. See the Earth in a whole new light!
70% Coursework
30% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES1203
Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
40 credits
Develop your knowledge of climate and hazards. Through hands on practicals, field work and lectures learn how sedimentary rocks and fossils illuminate past, present and future climatic and oceanographic changes, and use maps and GIS to explore landscapes, earthquakes and volcanoes. Consolidate knowledge in the field, putting into practice new skills and seeing hands on the effects of geohazards on people and places.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Tests
GEES1204
The Life and Death of an Ocean
40 credits
Explore how Earth's shifting plates and their dynamic surface systems shape our planet and get hands-on practical experience in tectonics and learning how to unravel ancient environments through sedimentological and palaeontological evidence. Discover how the Earth's past has been recorded in the rocks beneath our feet.
35% Coursework
35% Practicals
30% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2000
Placement Preparation
0 credits
This module explores the role of placements, work experience and volunteering for enhancing employability whilst at university and as a future graduate. It considers placement options (types, durations) and supports students in developing applications and preparing for interviews.
100% Assessments
GEES2201
The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
40 credits
Explore the Earth’s surface and shallow subsurface now and through Deep Time. Develop the skills and knowledge used by geoscientists to find and manage resources like groundwater or geothermal energy, store energy or hazardous fluids, build safe infrastructure and understand hazardous phenomena and climate impacts. Work on real-world projects that integrate remote sensing, geophysics, field and lab-based investigations.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2202
The Earth's Interior and Resources
40 credits
Investigate the Earth’s Interior to understand how magmatism, tectonics and fluid flow control the development of sustainable resources. Through a case-study approach you will combine state-of-the-art rock microscopy, structural geology and geophysics to evaluate the Earths internal processes. Fieldwork and seismic imaging with industry software will allow you to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2203
Ocean Geoscience
20 credits
Dive into the geoscience of ocean basins. Develop your in-depth understanding of mid-ocean ridges, palaeoceanography, and ocean hazards. Use new practical skills, case studies and datasets to investigate mid-ocean ridge processes, to understand how microfossils and other proxies are used in reconstructing past oceanographic conditions, and to explore ocean geohazards.
50% Coursework
50% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2204
The Building of Britain
20 credits
Explore the thrilling geological history of the British Isles. Discover how the north collided with the south after a plate tectonic journey across a 4000 km wide ocean. Get hands-on with fossils, rocks, and geological maps to reconstruct ancient environments, volcanoes, and mountain belts. This module will take you on an exciting journey through time, revealing the forces that shaped the UK's stunning landscapes!
50% Coursework
50% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES3000
Placement
0 credits
This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.
100% Coursework
GEES3201
Geoscience Research Project
40 credits
Realise your passion for Earth science by conducting a research project on an exciting scientific question. Choose a project from a wide range of Earth Science topics (e.g. volcanology, palaeontology, remote sensing, structural geology). Use cutting-edge fieldwork, lab techniques, or digital tools to explore your chosen area, gaining hands-on experience and developing valuable subject specific and transferable skills.
85% Coursework
15% Practicals
GEES3202
Professional Field and Core Analysis
20 credits
Ready to rock the world of geology? Get set to apply your skills in the field and the lab, working solo and within a dynamic team. You'll dive into geological mapping and rock core analysis, using top-notch industry tools. A hands-on experience will help you master job tendering, data analysis, and reporting for real commercial clients. It's not just learning, it's about becoming a pro and preparing for an awesome career!
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3203
Frontiers in Geoscience
20 credits
Explore the frontier of geosciences and study a selection of current, globally relevant topics where geoscience can lead the way towards a more sustainable future. Get familiar with state-of-the-art research to decide for yourself how the opportunities, challenges and solutions can be balanced to deliver for society.
100% Coursework
GEES3204
Environmental and Resource Geoscience
20 credits
Sharpen your skills ready for industry, tackling some of the most urgent environmental issues facing the world today, from pervasive mining pollution in post-industrial catchments to the role of the subsurface in decarbonisation. You will engage in hands-on workshops, solving problems associated with past industry, as well as getting to grips with state-of-the-art software and real-world datasets.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3205
Tectonics and Geohazards
20 credits
Explore one of the World’s most tectonically active and hazardous regions to understand the cause and impact of tectonics on hazards (earthquakes, volcanics, landslides, tsunami, floods) and resources (water, minerals, energy). Develop skills to evaluate the influence of active tectonics on these hazards, either through an overseas field trip (e.g. California) or through application of GIS and remote sensing.
100% Coursework
GEES3206
Environmental Change Through Earth History
20 credits
The Earth’s environments are changing fast. Learn how studying past environmental change helps us understand the impacts of current and future human induced environmental change. Using advanced techniques in geochemistry and palaeontology, you’ll explore past events to predict future impacts, equipping you with the skills to tackle the environmental challenges of tomorrow.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3002
Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential
20 credits
Embark on exploration of critical, real-world challenges in an exciting field context. Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to tackle a core issue through a research project of your own creation. Sharpen your existing expertise and develop important transdisciplinary skills that prepare you to face career challenges beyond university with confidence and innovation.
100% Coursework
GEES5200
MGeol Project
60 credits
This module provides the opportunity for students to choose, develop and undertake a piece of post-graduate level independent research in geoscience. Students are able to choose from a range of disciplines and work with academic advisors to refined and define research questions, and address, and critically evaluate these using a range of methods leading to the submission of a m-level dissertation and presentation.
75% Coursework
25% Practicals
GEES528
Soil and Rock Mechanics, Characterisation and Field Skills
20 credits
This module covers the principles of soil and rock mechanics. How soil and rock behave under loading and what are the main parameters to characterize those behaviours. Laboratory testing is used to give an insight on the basic principle of soil and rock strength and how these are determined. Ground investigation techniques used to assess soil and rock characteristics are also described and demonstrated in the field.
50% Practicals
50% Examinations
GEES531
Environmental Observations and Quality Assurance
20 credits
This module introduces the fundamental concepts of ‘the analytical approach’ to working with environmental problems, including student-lead case studies that allowing them to learn and apply the principles of good practice for observational data collection, quality control and traceability. Research study skills sessions are included, leading to the planning of a research dissertation.
100% Coursework
GEES532
Geohazards and the Built Environment
20 credits
This module will introduce geohazards and their impacts, exploring how to assess, monitor and mitigate them. Students undertake an assessment of a natural geohazard and produce a professional report on that assessment with a proposal for remediation. They will also learn about anthropogenic hazards and develop skills in public communication of these issues, via a practice based assessment.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
MAR514
Marine Science
20 credits
This module provides an introductory overview of basic oceanography including physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects of the subject. There is particular emphasis on methods of quantifying and predicting coastal conditions, as well as interplay between physical, chemical and biological aspects of ocean science.
100% Coursework
This course has unique rules relating to:
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With geology I believe it’s so important to see real-world examples to fully understand key concepts. During my degree I got to visit beautiful parts of Wales, Spain, Sicily, and Cyprus that I might never have otherwise seen.
“Combining my studies at 91porn with the opportunity to live in two countries (Canada and China) at opposite sides of the world and experience the student life there was fantastic.”
Working in industry allowed me to bridge the gap between the theoretical knowledge I had gained during the first years of my studies and the practical application of these skills.
Our world-class research keeps staff at the cutting edge of recent scientific developments within the field.
Research by our Earth Scientists on the Celtic Sea bed is helping develop renewable energy futures in the South West.
Dr Matt Bailey Ross
Lecturer in Environmental and Engineering Geology
Dr Uwe Balthasar
Lecturer in Palaeontology
Professor Sarah Boulton
Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of School - Marketing and Recruitment
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
I was exposed to a range of interdisciplinary subjects throughout my Geology degree and this ultimately allowed me to find what I wanted to do long term.
4 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
4 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
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