Earth science course structures

View our programme structures and module information

During years 1 and 2 all of our Earth science courses are designed around a shared 80-credit core of Earth science modules that will provide a thorough integrated overview of the fundamental processes and their relevance to society. 
For each individual course, this core is complemented by 40 credits of differentiator modules that will provide a distinct perspective for each degree course from either geology, environmental science, or geography. 
During year 3 the core modules cover 60 credits of honours project and professional development. These are complemented by 60 credits from a range of optional and/or core specialist modules that enable you to tailor your degree to your particular interest.
 

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Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

 
 

Year 1

BSc / MGeol Geology

Semester 1

Sustainable Geoscience 
20 credits 
Earth Materials and Resources 
20 credits

Semester 2

Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
40 credits

Semester 1 and 2

Life and Death of an Ocean
40 credits

BSc Environmental Geoscience

Semester 1

Sustainable Geoscience
20 credits 
Earth Materials and Resources
20 credits
Our Ecological Planet: Biodiversity and Ecological Change
20 credits

Semester 2

Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
40 credits
The Environmental Manager's Toolbox
20 credits

BSc Physical Geography and Geology

Semester 1

Sustainable Geoscience
20 credits 
Earth Materials and Resources
20 credits
Water, Landscape and Environmental Management
20 credits

Semester 2

Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
40 credits
Glaciers, Deserts and Climate Change
20 credits
 
 
 

Year 2

BSc / MGeol Geology

Semester 1

The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
40 credits 
Ocean Geoscience
20 credits

Semester 2

The Earth's Interior and Resources
40 credits
The Building of Britain
20 credits

BSc Environmental Geoscience

Semester 1

The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
40 credits 
Choose one module from the following 20 credit options:
  • Catchment and River Processes
  • Weather, Climate and Meteorology

Semester 2

The Earth's Interior and Resources
40 credits
Environmental Management and Sustainability
20 credits

BSc Physical Geography and Geology

Semester 1

The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
40 credits 
Water, Landscape and Environmental Management
20 credits

Semester 2

The Earth's Interior and Resources
40 credits
Quaternary to Anthropocene
20 credits
 
 
 

Year 3

BSc / MGeol Geology

Semester 1

Professional Field and Core Analysis
20 credits 
Frontiers in Geoscience
20 credits

Semester 2

Choose two modules from the following 20 credit options: 
  • Tectonics and Geohazards
  • Environmental and Resource Geoscience
  • Environmental Change through Earth History
  • Frontiers in Fieldwork

Semester 1 and 2

Independent Project
40 credits

BSc Environmental Geoscience

Semester 1

Professional Field and Core Analysis
20 credits 
AND: Choose one module from the following 20 credit options:
  • Global Environmental Solution 
  • Climate Change Action

Semester 2

Environmental and Resource Geoscience
20 credits
AND: choose one module from the following 20 credit options:
  • Tectonics and Geohazards
  • Environmental Change through Earth History
  • Frontiers in Fieldwork

Semester 1 and 2

Independent Project
40 credits

BSc Physical Geography and Geology

Semester 1

Professional Field and Core Analysis
20 credits 
AND: Choose one module from the following 20 credit options:
  • Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges
  • Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability 
  • Big Data and Spatial Analytics

Semester 2

Choose two modules from the following 20 credit options: 
  • Tectonics and Geohazards
  • Environmental and Resource Geoscience 
  • Long-term Environmental Change
  • Dryland Change
  • Frontiers in Fieldwork

Semester 1 and 2

Independent Project
40 credits
 
 
 

Year 4

MGeol Geology

Semester 1

Choose three modules from the following 20 credit options:
  • Soil and Rock Mechanics, Characterisation and Field Skills 
  • Geohazards and the Built Environment 
  • Environmental Observations and Quality Assurance 
  • Marine Science

Semester 2

MGeol Project 
60 credits