Earth Sciences BSc

University College London

Bachelor's degree

In London

£ 9,250 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    London

  • Duration

    3 Years

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). On entry to the programme, you will select a pathway through the subject (General, Palaeobiology, or Environment and Policy). The programme includes many optional modules across Earth Sciences.Students should normally take at least five half-module credits in UCL Earth Sciences each year. Modules based in other departments may be chosen from those listed for the Environmental Geoscience, Geology and Geophysics degree programmes and the Palaeobiology and Environment and Policy pathways. The third year has an emphasis on individual initiative and problem-based learning. Fieldwork provides a unique opportunity to develop independent and team skills and problem-solving abilities.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
See map
Gower Street, WC1E 6BT

Start date

On request

About this course

The programme includes up to approximately three months of field classes in the UK and continental Europe, with financial support from the department. The holistic nature of the Earth sciences is emphasised. The opportunity to specialise within Earth Sciences and, by the appropriate choice of modules, graduate with a degree in Earth Sciences (Palaeobiology) or Earth Sciences (Environment and Policy) is available. World-leading research in mineral, ice and rock physics, geophysical hazards and palaeoenvironmental analysis is undertaken in the department and is used in the development of our modules. World-class facilities include hosting the UK's only NASA Regional Planetary Image Facility, use of the UCL University of London Observatory, and collaboration with the Natural History Museum.

You will develop both discipline-based and highly sought after analytical skills, together with practical skills such as planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, collecting, recording and analysing data and the ability to undertake field and laboratory research. All our students are encouraged and helped towards making informed career choices. We have excellent relationships with many employers in diverse aspects of the Earth sciences, and students are actively guided towards achieving their potential at UCL in preparation for their future careers.

In addition to further study, main employment destinations include: exploration and production for mining, oil and engineering companies; groundwater resources management; investigating ground conditions associated with land use, such as planning, construction and waste disposal; geological surveying, and collecting geological information for maps and databases.

English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 5. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required.

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Reviews

This centre's achievements

2018

All courses are up to date

The average rating is higher than 3.7

More than 50 reviews in the last 12 months

This centre has featured on Emagister for 14 years

Subjects

  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • Global
  • Team Training
  • Dynamic Earth
  • Petrology
  • Petrogenesis
  • Geochemistry
  • Palaeobiology
  • Geoscience

Course programme

Year 1

Core or compulsory module(s)
  • Dynamic Earth
  • Earth Materials
  • From Petrology to Petrogenesis (including Cornwall fieldwork)
  • Geochemistry
  • History of Life
  • Surface Processes (including Dorset/Devon fieldwork)
  • The Earth
Optional modules

You will select 0.5 credits of optional modules from Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Geoscience programmes, and the Palaeobiology or Environment and Policy pathways.

Year 2

Core or compulsory module(s)
  • Maps, Images and Structures (including Italy fieldwork)
  • Structural Geology and Tectonics
Optional modules

You will select 2.5 credits of optional modules from the Environmental Geoscience, Geology and Geophysics programmes, and the Palaeobiology or Environment and Policy pathways. Options available within the department may include:

  • Global Geophysics
  • Igneous Petrology
  • Isotope Geology
  • Metamorphism
  • Vertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution
Year 3

Core or compulsory module(s)

All final-year modules are optional.

Optional modules

You will select 4.0 credits of optional modules from the Environmental Geoscience, Geology and Geophysics programmes and Palaeobiology or Environment and Policy pathways. Options available within the department may include:

  • Biodiversity and Macroevolutionary Patterns
  • Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building and Basin Evolution (including Betics fieldwork)
  • Earth Resources and Sustainability
  • Geological/Environmental Mapping Project
  • Geosciences Report
  • Global Environmental Change
  • Groundwater Science
  • Marine Geology
  • Ocean Physics and Climate Change
  • Seismology I
  • Seismology II
  • Geodynamics and Global Tectonics
Your learning

We use a mixture of lectures, practical classes, field courses, directed reading, problem-orientated learning, private study and tutorials to enable you to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills demanded by the programme, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working and organisational skills.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports and sometimes an oral examination.

Additional information

Overseas students fee

£25,960 (2018/19)

See related categories

Earth Sciences BSc

£ 9,250 VAT inc.

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