Geology with a Year Abroad

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

All of our Geology degrees share a common programme of studies for the first two years, which is divided into 50% theoretical, 25% practical and 25% coursework.

You can expect:

• a broad introduction to geology
• to cover subjects not previously experienced
• to catch up on aspects of sciences not studied at school

You will learn basic geological principles and go on field trips in the UK and a two-week Rio Tinto Urra field trip to Spain.

You will be taught to see the Earth as a dynamic system, and complete all of the core modules from the four areas below.

• Dynamic Earth 1
• Earth Materials and Stratigraphy
• Maths 0 or Maths Methods 1
• Physics for Geoscientists or Physical Processes

• Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
• Life and Earth History
• Surface Processes

You choose one of the following:

• Chemistry for Geoscientists
• Solid Earth Geochemistry

• Optical Mineralogy and Petrology
• Programming for Geoscientists
• Structural Geology 1
• Graphics & Statistics for Geoscientists

• Earth Materials and Stratigraphy
• Introduction to Field Geology
• Field Geology 1
• Projects, Tutorials and Workshops 1

In your second year you can expect to:

• Deepen your knowledge of core geological subjects
• Enhance your written, analytical and research skills
• Undertake fieldwork to become an independent learner

You will continue to study and deepen your knowledge of major branches of geoscience.

• Earth structure and tectonics
• Field geology
• Geochemistry, low temperature
• Applied geophysics
• Igneous and metamorphic petrology
• Palaeontology
• Remote sensing and GIS
• Sedimentary geology
• Structural geology

Additional teaching is designed to provide complementary knowledge in areas such as physical science, computing and statistical skills as applied to geosciences. We will also introduce economic and industrial aspects of geology and encourage you to undertake language studies as part of the Imperial Horizons programme and business as part of the Business for Professional Engineers and Scientists programme.

Major teaching field trips currently go to the Pyrenees and to Scotland.

You study all of the core modules listed below.

• Applied Geophysics 1 or Maths 1
• Global Geophysics or Physical Processes
• Igneous 1
• Sedimentary Geology

• Earth Resources
• Palaeontology 1 or Maths Methods 2
• Structural Geology 3
• Low Temperature Geochemistry or Solid Earth Geochemistry

• Metamorphic 1
• Rocks Master Class
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Structural Geology 2

• Field Geology 2
• Field Geology 3
• Projects, Tutorials and Workshops 2

Your third year is divided into the year abroad (80%) and an Independent Geology Project (20%).

The Department have close links with leading institutions in Europe and North America.

You can read more on the year abroad on the Department’s website, including details of which universities you could visit on exchange.

Students have previously enjoyed exchanges with:

• Australian National University (ANU)
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• European partners within the Erasmus programme

You study a combination of core and optional modules in the fourth year.

• MSci Project
• Science Communication

You choose seven optional modules from below:

• Advanced Applied Geophysics
• Advanced Exploration Seismology
• Advanced Programming
• Applied Sedimentology
• Basin Analysis
• Biogeochemistry
• Dynamic Stratigraphy
• Earth Systems
• Environmental and Engineering Geology
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Flow and Reactive Transport
• Geodesy and Geomagnatism
• Geodynamics
• Geohazards
• Geomorphology
• Geophysical Inversion
• Hydrogeology & Fluid Flow 2
• Hyrdothermal and Ore Forming Processes
• Low Temperature Geochemistry
• Minerals Processing
• Mining Water and Waste Management
• Palaeo and Environmental Magnetism
• Physical Oceanography
• Physics of Planet Earth
• Remote Sensing and GIS 2

You will also have the choice of modules from Imperial Horizons and the Business School, which can broaden your studies.

• Imperial Horizons
• Business for Professional Engineers and Scientists

• Earth Science General Paper
• Research Conference or Field Geology 5