BSc (Hons) Applied Geology

Laying the foundations of geological knowledge, your first year provides you with an introduction to laboratory and field skills. You'll learn about key Earth processes including plate tectonics and natural hazards and take a practical approach to the study of minerals, rocks, fossils and geological structures. You'll develop effective study techniques and computing skills, and undertake safe fieldwork, including residential classes across the South West. Develop your confidence with a personal tutor, providing you with weekly guidance throughout your first year.

• GEOL1001 The Dynamic Earth

• GEOL1002 Earth Materials

• GEOL1003 Geosystems

• GEOL1004 Palaeontology and Stratigraphy

• GEOL1005 Geological Maps and Structural Geology

• GEES1001PP Natural Hazards

• GEES1003PP Sustainable Futures

• OS106PP Our Ocean Planet

Year 2 consolidates the knowledge and skills developed so far, with an emphasis on the practical side of geology. You'll develop observational, analytical and interpretive skills and the ability to apply these skills to real-life geological problems within geological professions. You'll also learn to make geological maps and explore the nature and distribution of geological resources and geohazards through fieldwork in both the UK and overseas. You can also take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our direct exchange, Erasmus or ISEP programmes.

• APIE217 Preparation for a Year Long Work Placement in Earth Sciences

• GEOL2001 Sedimentology and Palaeontology

• GEOL2002 Structures, Magmas and Volcanoes

• GEOL2003 Geospatial Techniques

• GEOL2004 Stratigraphy and Earth History

• GEOL2005 Structural and Metamorphic Geology

• GEOL2006 Geological Fieldwork

Take advantage of our optional placement year, giving you the opportunity to develop your geological skills in the workplace and gain valuable experience. Find your perfect placement with the help of our employability service and benefit from specialist workshops and tutorials in your second year, helping you prepare for your year in industry.


Optional modules

• APIE316 Placement in Earth Sciences

Your final year gives you the opportunity to develop specialised applied geosciences knowledge and skills through optional modules from a specialist degree route. You may also take part in advanced fieldwork and you’ll complete an independent field-based mapping and research project, which will develop your professional skills and allow you to draw on the research and consultancy expertise of our staff. Our optional field courses visit exciting locations such as Sicily and Cyprus.

• GEOL3001 Geological Mapping Research Project and Professional Skills

• GEOL3003 Geophysics

• GEOL3006 Geological Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing

• GEOL3008 Advanced Geological Fieldwork

• GEOL3009 Earth Science Professional Case Studies

• GEOL3010 Engineering Geology

• GEOL3011 Petroleum Geoscience

• GEOL3012 Mineral Georesources

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.