BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography
Entry requirements
A level: from ABB to BBB in one set of exams (required: Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B) IB: from 32 points with 655 at HL to 30 points with 555 at HL
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Earth Science and Physical Geography, an Earth and Environmental Sciences degree centred on the study of the Earth, its physical processes, and surface environments. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. Students complete a dissertation research project in the final year. The first year focuses on establishing fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills, covering processes which shape the Earth, fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography, and recognising evidence in rocks through compulsory modules such as begin to establish fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills, gain an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth, learn fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography, and develop the skills to recognise the evidence for these processes in rocks. The second year builds upon field skills, geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping, and computational, programming and communication skills through compulsory modules such as further develop computational, programming and communication skills, learn what the Earth is composed of, its minerals, and the processes that form rocks, build upon field skills, including geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping, and learn about geomorphology and the physical processes that shape the Earth's surface at a range of scales. The third year involves research training and designing a dissertation research project alongside compulsory modules such as tectonics, palaeontology, water resources, rocks, resources and hazards, and climate change and sustainability. The fourth year offers optional modules such as ice sheet change, our geological and geomorphological heritage, geological solutions to carbon capture and storage, landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and ocean acidification.
Modules
- begin to establish fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills
- gain an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth
- learn fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography
- develop the skills to recognise the evidence for these processes in rocks
- further develop computational, programming and communication skills
- learn what the Earth is composed of, its minerals, and the processes that form rocks
- build upon field skills, including geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping
- learn about geomorphology and the physical processes that shape the Earth's surface at a range of scales
- tectonics
- palaeontology
- water resources
- rocks, resources and hazards
- climate change and sustainability
- develop the foundation of your study direction for Year 4
- begin research training by designing your dissertation research project
- water resources
- ice sheet change
- our geological and geomorphological heritage
- geological solutions to carbon capture and storage
- landslides
- volcanoes
- earthquakes
- sea-level rise
- coastal erosion
- ocean acidification