Marine Geography with Professional Placement (BSc)

This applied and industry-relevant degree draws on the traditional skills of the geographer to observe, measure, map and analyse the significance of a wide range of physical and human variables. Coastal and offshore fieldwork are an important feature of this programme, enabling hands on training for students to use modern survey methods rather than just learn about them.

When you graduate from this degree you will have a detailed knowledge of both the processes and interrelationships involved in ocean, atmosphere, marine physical geographical/environmental systems and the means of acquisition, handling and presentation of information including remote sensed data and the use of Geographical Information Systems. You will also be able to explain the interactions between the human and Earth systems, particularly the resources, risks, impacts, governance, and management of marine and coastal environments.

The holistic nature of first year is highly beneficial for those that are still unsure with what career pathway they desire. Alongside the social aspect, the field trips are a great way of developing key skills such as geological mapping, independent research and collaborative fieldwork. The MESci Research Project was particularly valuable as this enabled me to use resources and develop skills directly linked to my current position in industry.

Phalene Gowling, MESci International Marine Geoscience 2013 Year one

The course structure is very flexible. All Cardiff's School of Earth and Ocean Science degree programmes share a common first Semester. This is designed to give you a sound foundation in Earth Sciences upon which to build. At the end of your first Semester you will decide whether to continue with your original degree choice or choose another of Cardiff's Earth Science degrees.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsThe Sedimentary SystemEA110210 creditsIntroduction to Earth Science SkillsEA112210 creditsMarine Geography Data AnalysisEA112010 creditsGlobal OceansEA112110 creditsMarine Geography FieldworkEA112620 creditsEarth and Planetary System ScienceEA110120 creditsEnvironmental Chemistry and BiologyEA111110 creditsNatural Resources and EnergyEA110610 creditsMarine Charts and HydrographyEA110910 creditsDangerous EarthEA110310 creditsYear two

In Year 2 the modules you will take are chosen to provide a wide knowledge base and transferable skills base to make you as employable as possible in a competitive job market.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsApplied GISEA213010 creditsCoastal HydrographyEA211420 creditsMarine Geography Field SkillsEA213920 creditsMarine & Coastal Resource SystemsEA213410 creditsMarine EcosystemsEA211510 creditsThe Geomorphology of Catchments and CoastsEA213820 creditsEnvironmental PollutionEA211610 creditsThe Ocean Atmosphere SystemEA211220 creditsYear three: Sandwich year

Your third year will be spent as a placement year working in industry. Some of the work you undertake during this year can be used as a basis for your project which you will complete in Year 4. Although we will do our best to secure you a placement, we must stress that in the current economic climate many companies are unwilling, or unable to commit to year-long placements so we therefore cannot guarantee that you will obtain a placement. If you do not get a placement you will progress directly to the third and final year of the Marine Geography degree.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsMarine Geography Sandwich PlacementEA3121120 creditsYear four

In your final year you choose from a range of modules to best tailor the degree to align with your future career choice, whether that be more marine or coastal or more human or physical geography.

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsMarine Geography DissertationEA310530 creditsMarine Geography FieldcourseEA312510 creditsApplication of Marine ScienceEA310710 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsMarine Conservation ScienceEA310610 creditsEnvironmental Management, Science and PolicyEA311010 creditsIntegrated Coastal ManagementEA311410 creditsWater ResourcesEA311710 creditsMarine GeomaticsEA312020 creditsGeomicrobiologyEA313210 creditsEnvironmental LawEA313410 creditsBiogeographyEA312910 creditsCoral Reef SystemsEA314510 creditsMarine MicrofossilsEA310210 creditsGlaciologyEA314610 creditsPaleoclimateEA314710 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.