Geology (MESci)

In this broad-based, accredited degree you will learn how to read the rocks, assess the processes involved in their formation, be able to reconstruct past environments and interpret how life evolved.

A key component of this course is fieldwork. You will travel to a number of classic localities: current field excursions run to areas both in the UK and abroad (Spain and Cyprus). On these excursions you will learn how to record observations, to analyse and interpret a wide range of rocks and structures in the field, and be trained in making a geological map. Our field courses are specifically designed to focus on key themes, such as the origins of oceanic crust, the development of sedimentary basins and their oil and gas potential, and the growth and collapse of mountain belts.

The four year undergraduate programme is designed for high quality candidates who aim to pursue a research career. The course involves learning about the process and outcomes of research and enables students to specialise in areas of their choice. During the first two years you will study modules in common with students in the BSc programme but with small group teaching of up to six students provided through a research tutorial. These tutorials will allow you to explore your long term research interests and will provide more extensive opportunities than the three-year scheme. In the final two years you will concentrate on core topics in Geology as well as modules giving skills in science and research in a field of your choice.

Wales is a classical centre for geology. Most of the geological timescale is named after Wales or its people (e.g. the Silurian, Ordovician, Cambrian and Precambrian eras). The situation of Cardiff in a classical area of geology means that classical geology is on your doorstep.

I wanted to study geology and travel. The MESci Geology (International) course at Cardiff incorporated these two criteria, with the added bonus of being taught key research skills. I spent my 3rd year in America at the University of Wyoming. Every University department is different so by studying abroad I was taught different aspects of geology by a wide variety of experts, an experience that allowed me to make friends from all over the world, network in a professional field, expand my knowledge and experience different cultures.

Eva Marquis, MESci International Geology 2011 Year one

The course structure is very flexible. All Cardiff's School of Earth and Ocean Science degree programmes share a common first semester. This is designed to give you a sound foundation in Earth sciences upon which to build. At the end of your first semester you will decide whether to continue with your original degree choice or choose another of Cardiff's Earth science degrees.

You will have a tutor involved in research into Geology and complete a research project on an aspect of Geology.

You will study the following modules:

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsThe Sedimentary SystemEA110210 creditsLife Through TimeEA110810 creditsMESci Earth Science FieldworkEA112520 creditsEarth MaterialsEA111210 creditsResearch Tutorial with Earth Science SkillsEA112410 creditsEarth and Planetary System ScienceEA110120 creditsFormation of the British IslesEA110710 creditsNatural Resources and EnergyEA110610 creditsGeological Maps, Sections and StructuresEA111010 creditsDangerous EarthEA110310 creditsYear two

You take a suite of modules which is aimed at providing the basic tools for understanding geology and for fieldwork. The MESci field skills and research module includes a number of day courses and residential trips to Dorset, Cornwall and Spain where you learn advanced field skills. As an MESci student you will have the chance to research in detail into one aspect of the field programme of your choice and produce a research poster which will be displayed and discussed at the annual MESci Research Conference.

In your second summer, you will undertake a five-week mapping project in the UK or overseas.

You will study the following modules:

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsApplied GISEA213010 creditsMetamorphic GeologyEA212410 creditsStructural GeologyEA210810 creditsPlate TectonicsEA210910 creditsPalaeoecologyEA210610 creditsGeophysical ExplorationEA210710 creditsGeological ResourcesEA211110 creditsGeological Field Skills and Research TutorialEA211820 creditsIgneous GeologyEA212510 creditsSedimentary Processes, Petrology and StratigraphyEA213520 creditsYear three

In your third year, you will write up a dissertation on your mapping project. You will also follow core modules in Dynamic Earth, plus an overseas field course to Cyprus.

The MESci research tutorial module allows you to research in detail a subject of your choice and learn how to produce a research paper for publication. You will present a lecture on your research at the annual MESci research conference.

In addition to your mapping project, fieldwork, the research tutorial and a core module in the Dynamic Earth, you have a wide range of optional modules to choose from:

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsDynamic EarthEA313510 creditsGeological Mapping ProjectEA310430 creditsResearch SkillsEA314010 creditsGeology FieldcourseEA312810 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsVolcanic and Magmatic ProcessesEA310110 creditsGlobal GeomorphologyEA310310 creditsWater ResourcesEA311710 creditsAdvanced Sedimentology and StratigraphyEA311810 creditsPetroleum Geology and Basin AnalysisEA311920 creditsPalaeobiologyEA312710 creditsStructural TechniquesEA313110 creditsEngineering GeologyEA312310 creditsHazards and RiskEA313910 creditsMarine MicrofossilsEA310210 creditsApplied MineralogyEA314410 creditsPaleoclimateEA314710 creditsGlaciologyEA314610 creditsYear four

You will complete a Masters research dissertation in any topic that can be supervised in the School. You will work one-to-one with a research supervisor and probably interact with a research group. Since the School is very large and of international research standard, this means that you have an unsurpassed choice of dissertation topic. Many students develop their own topics and contact a researcher to see if they can supervise it. Alternatively a list of projects is published each year for you to choose from. The research dissertation is complemented by a Research Frontiers module, in which the latest ideas in Earth Sciences research are discussed. In addition to a year four fieldcourse you have a choice of optional modules:

Core modulesModule titleModule codeCreditsMESci Research ProjectEA412070 creditsMESci FieldcourseEA410510 creditsOptional modules

Module titleModule codeCreditsGeological Mapping Research ProjectEA412170 creditsMapping Project for International StudentsEA410120 creditsMESci Research ProjectEA412070 creditsContaminated LandEA410310 creditsEvolution of AntarcticaEA410710 creditsExtremophilesEA411610 creditsProcess Geomorphology - from Source to SinkEA411010 creditsAdvanced MetallogenesisEA411810 creditsGeodynamicsEA411910 creditsIPCC: The Physical Science BasisEA412310 creditsAdvanced Igneous PetrogenesisEA410810 creditsMESci Structural TechniquesEA412410 creditsMESci Magmatic ProcessesEA412510 creditsMESci Professional Engineering GeologyEA412610 credits The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.