Geology BSc

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The first year is common to all the Geology programmes and gives you a foundation in geology, together with an overview of crystallography and mineralogy, stratigraphy, palaeontology, geological maps and surveying. Modules in mathematics and chemistry provide the basis for more advanced geological and applied modules in the second and third years. As in other years of the programmes, particular emphasis is placed on the development of field data collection skills that are essential for all geologists. 

The second year is also common to all the programmes and your studies continue in key areas of fundamental geology and their applications and include a substantial amount of practical work. You will develop your skills in geological data collection and analysis during field classes in the UK that includes training in geological mapping. Core geological skills are developed in sedimentology, igneous and metamorphic petrology and structural geology and tectonics. The inter-relationship between geology and the engineering behaviour of rocks is developed through the geotechnics module.

In the summer vacation between the second and third year you will undertake a four-week project that involves the collection and analysis of geological or related data. Some of our students carry out their project as part of a work placement. Alternatively you can carry out a group mapping project or individual research project in the field or laboratory. 

You undertake a Research Project that runs throughout the year and select from a range of modules such as: Advanced Mineral Analysis; Topics in Current Research; Magmatic Processes; Fluids in the Geosphere; Economics, Mineral Processing and Environment; Ore Deposit Models; and Minerals Processing.