AS/A Level Geology

AS/A LEVEL GEOLOGY
We are the biggest provider of Earth Sciences in the Tees valley area and the only Sixth Form College to offerGeography, Geology and Environmental Studiesas separate subjects at AS and A level award.

In 2008, Geology had a 100% pass rate at AS and A2 level.

Many of our students do a combination of two different Earth Sciences! This serves to ease the burden of the work load and support other science and humanities studies. All three subjects are:-

• taught in designated classrooms and well equipped teaching laboratory
• taught from scratch- no prior knowledge is assumed
• free from coursework in the 1st year
• include optional fieldwork locally and internationally

WHAT IS GEOLOGY?
Geology is the branch of science concerned with the structure, evolution and dynamics of the Earth and with the exploitation of the mineral and energy resources that it contains in a sustainable way. Geology examines hazards, resources, plate tectonics, past life and extinctions, map and field skills. Geology applies physical, chemical and biological principles to the investigation of the Earth but also involves a distinctive scientific methodology, invoking internal and external Earth processes to explain the evolution of the planet through geological time.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY GEOLOGY?
Do you have an interest in the Earth as a whole and geological history? Unlike most sciences, geology requires out-door study to be fully understood. A number of local and regional field visits are offered from Whitby, High Force and Cauldron Snout to Ingleton waterfalls to name a few.

We have a dedicated Earth Science Laboratory equipped with a very large teaching collection of maps, rocks, minerals and fossils from all over the world spanning 2000 million years!

For the last four years out our A2 Geology students have achieved
100% pass rate.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
Geology students typically will have enjoyed science and geography at school and want to learn about volcanoes, earthquakes, fossils and minerals. Although you will not be disadvantaged by not having a GCSE in geography or geology You will enjoy a lot of hands-on practical work, map work and laboratory tests.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
The AS Geology course comprises:

• UNIT GL1 Foundation Geologyintroduction to plate tectonics, volcanoes, Earth structure and rocks.
• UNIT GL2 Investigative GeologyField Techniques and Skills using hand specimens of minerals, fossils, photos and geological maps in an exam
• UNIT GL3 Geology and the Human Environmentmanaging hazards and natural resources.

Upon successful completion of the first year of the course you will have the option to progress to the second year where you will study the following areas:

• UNIT GL4Interpreting the Geological Record advanced rock and fossil studies
• UNIT GL5 Geological ThemesNatural Resource and Quaternary Geology
• UNIT GL6 Geological InvestigationsField and lab investigations

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
In the first year of the course all three modules are assessed by written examination at the end of the year in May/June. There will be three 1 hour or one and a quarter hour papers on foundation Geology, investigative Geology and human environment Geology. There is no assessed coursework in the first year. In the second year, assessment for Unit six is by coursework which is completed largely during lessons and is highly supported by staff in the classroom and field. In addition unit four and five are examined by written examinations lasting between two and two and a half hours.

COURSE COMMITMENT
You will be expected to attend three local field visits as part of the skills section of the course. You should aim for 100% lesson attendance and homework completion to deadlines set. You need to enjoy being outdoors and equipped for walks over moorland and coasts.

COURSE COSTS
The course has a heavy emphasis on field visits. However these are non-residential and subsidized heavily by the college. We do make good use of the college minibus. However we do ask for a 15 contribution in total for the year.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
Most AS geologists progress to a full a-level in the second year and many choose geology or earth science degrees at university. Geology is considered by most universities as a science. There are many careers that use geology, in particular; engineering, mining, environmental services, law, accountancy, armed services, planning, teaching, oil and gas industries, road engineering, quarrying and even medicine to name but a few! Geologists were named in the Top 10 Earners in the Times this year.