Bachelor's degree

In London

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Geologists understand the Earth and other planets through observation, and make reach conclusions on the understanding of fundamental scientific principles.The course is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary skills in physics, maths, chemistry, engineering and the geosciences .

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

The course is designed to provide students with interdisciplinary skills in physics, maths, chemistry, engineering and the geosciences . The integrated, modular nature of our courses enables you to achieve a solid understanding of geosciences whilst also tailoring the degree course to suit your individual interests. You can choose from specialist areas such as: petrology, geochemistry, surface processes, volcanism, tectonics and geological mapping. As a...

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis. If your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page, which gives the minimum entry requirements for a range of international qualifications. A-levels Our minimum requirement is AAA overall, to include at at least two of the following subjects: Mathematics Physics Chemistry Geology Biology Geography Candidates...

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Geology
  • Project
  • Skills and Training
  • Maths
  • Geophysics
  • Management
  • GIS
  • IT Management
  • GCSE Physics
  • Engineering
  • Systems

Course programme

Modules shown are for the current academic year, and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

All of our Geology degrees share a common programme of studies for the first two years, which is divided into 50% theoretical, 25% practical and 25% coursework.

Year 1

You can expect:

  • a broad introduction to geology
  • to cover subjects not previously experienced
  • to catch up on aspects of sciences not studied at school

You will learn basic geological principles and go on field trips in the UK and a two-week Rio Tinto Urra field trip to Spain.

You will be taught to see the Earth as a dynamic system, and complete all of the core modules from the four areas below.

Theory 1
  • Dynamic Earth 1
  • Earth Materials and Stratigraphy
  • Maths or Maths Methods 1
  • Physics for Geoscientists or Physical Processes
Theory 2
  • Chemistry for Geoscientists or Solid Earth Geochemistry
  • Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
  • Life and Earth History
  • Surface Processes
Practical
  • Graphics & Statistics for Geoscientists
  • Optical Mineralogy and Petrology
  • Programming for Geoscientists
  • Structural Geology 1
Coursework
  • Earth Materials and Stratigraphy
  • Field Geology 1
  • Introduction to Field Geology
  • Projects, Tutorials and Workshops 1
Year 2

In your second year you can expect to:

  • Deepen your knowledge of core geological subjects
  • Enhance your written, analytical and research skills
  • Undertake fieldwork to become an independent learner

You will continue to study and deepen your knowledge of major branches of geoscience.

  • Earth structure and tectonics
  • Field geology
  • Geochemistry, low temperature
  • Applied geophysics
  • Igneous and metamorphic petrology
  • Palaeontology
  • Remote sensing and GIS
  • Sedimentary geology
  • Structural geology

Additional teaching is designed to provide complementary knowledge in areas such as physical science, computing and statistical skills as applied to geosciences. We will also introduce economic and industrial aspects of geology and encourage you to undertake language studies as part of the Imperial Horizons programme and business as part of the Business for Professional Engineers and Scientists programme.

Major teaching field trips currently go to the Pyrenees and to Scotland.

You study all of the core modules listed below in the four different groups below.

Theory 1
  • Applied Geophysics 1 or Maths 1
  • Global Geophysics or Physical Processes
  • Igneous 1
  • Sedimentary Geology
Theory 2
  • Earth Resources
  • Palaeontology 1 or Maths Methods 2
  • Solid Earth Geochemistry or Low Temperature Geochemistry
  • Structural Geology 3
Practical
  • Metamorphic 1
  • Remote Sensing and GIS
  • Rocks Master Class
  • Structural Geology 2
Coursework
  • Field Geology 2
  • Field Geology 3
  • Projects, Tutorials and Workshops 2
Year 3

You take a combination of core and optional modules organised into four areas, where you will:

  • Write a dissertation and prepare a GIS-based map, alongside taking knowledge-developing modules in autumn term
  • Undertake a series of optional modules in spring term alongside other Year Three students to enhance your skills
  • Improve your time management skills
  • Prepare for your future career with a work placement

Following on from your taught field course in the Scottish Highlands in the spring term of Year Two, you will undertake an independent fieldwork project. A dissertation based on this project is to be submitted at the end of the autumn term of your third year.

There is a wide variety of pure and applied geology module options. You may also choose to take an option in a foreign language, management, economics or humanities. It is possible to study specialist topics with staff from the Natural History Museum.

Theory

You choose four modules from the list below:

  • Basins and Tectonics
  • Climate
  • Ice and Fire
  • Seismic Techniques
  • Solar System geoscience
Optional modules

You choose six modules in total from the below lists.

The modules below are available to you in your third and fourth years (see Year 4 - Optional modules).

  • Advanced Applied Geophysics
  • Advanced Programming
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Dynamic Stratigraphy
  • Earth Systems
  • Environmental and Engineering Geology
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Flow and Reactive Transport
  • Geodesy and Geomagnetism
  • Geodynamics
  • Geohazards
  • Geomorphology
  • Hydrogeology & Fluid Flow 2
  • Hydrothermal and Ore Forming Processes
  • Low Temperature Geochemistry
  • Minerals Processing
  • Mining Water and Waste Management
  • Palaeo and Environmental Magnetism
  • Physical Oceanography
  • Physics of Planet Earth
  • Remote Sensing and GIS 2
Business and Humanities

You will have the choice of modules from Imperial Horizons and the Business School, which broaden your studies.

  • Imperial Horizons
  • Business for Professional Engineers and Scientists
Independent Project and ESS
  • Earth Science Synthesis
  • Independent Geology Project
Coursework, Practical and Synopsis
  • Ore Deposits
  • Field Geology 4
  • Earth Science General Paper
Year 4
  • Enhance research skills by undertaking publishable research
  • Combine field and class-based learning in unique basin analysis field course
  • Specialise in chosen area while maintaining breadth of options

For each of the MSci degrees, the first term of the fourth year is devoted to a publishable independent research project. This may involve a mixture of fieldwork, laboratory/computing analysis and literature review of a relevant specialist topic.

The rest of the year adds to the specialist modules relevant to the degree and may include various optional modules (see below for provisional list).

Most students undertake a field course in southern Europe as their final option, bringing together four years of study.

  • Advanced Sedimentology; Structural Geology; Paleobiology; Remote Sensing Basin Analysis
  • Environmental and Engineering Geology
  • Geodynamics; Geohazards; Seismology; Impact Cratering
  • Palaeoceanography and Oceanography
  • Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow
  • Hydrothermal and Ore Systems; Minerals Processing; Earth Systems
  • Marine Geology and Geophysics; Biogeochemistry; Rock Mechanics; Solid Waste Management; Planetary Science
MSci Project (40%)

You complete an extensive project reliant upon significant research and independent study.

Optional modules (40%)

You take Science Communication and choose seven modules from the list below and the year three list above.

  • Advanced Exploration Seismology
  • Applied Sedimentology
  • Basin Analysis
Coursework, Practical and Synopsis (20%)
  • Earth Science General Paper
  • Research Conference or Field Geology 5

Geology

Price on request