MSciGeology

Study location	United Kingdom, Birmingham
Type	Bachelor courses, full-time
Nominal duration	4 years
Study language	English
Awards	MSci
Course code	7F83

Entry qualification

High school / secondary education (or higher) At least one science° A level subject °Subjects considered to be sciences: Geology, Geography, Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Electronics, Environmental Studies, Computing and Psychology. The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English. Often you can get a suitable transcript from your school. If this is not the case, you will need official translations along with verified copies of the original.

Language requirements	English IELTS: 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) CAE: 169 (with a minimum of 162 in each component)

Other requirements	At least 1 reference(s) must be provided. A motivation letter must be added to your application.

More information	birmingham.ac.uk/../gees/geology-msci.aspx

Overview

Interested? To learn more about this study programme, entry requirements and application process, please contact one of our consultants in a country nearest to you.

Programme structure

Year 1
Compulsory modules

The first year provides you with a broad training in topics across the subject, through several compulsory modules. We don’t assume any prior knowledge, and you don’t have to have studied geology before. The chemistry, physics and maths that you require is taught in the context of individual modules, and applied to the problems that you’re investigating. The Field Skills module includes one-day regional field trips and a residential trip to South West Wales, training you in key skills in geological observation, data recording and interpretation.

Geological Field Skills
Research Skills in Earth Sciences
Earth Systems
Structural Geology
Earth History and Life
Petrology, Volcanology and Geochemistry
Year 2
Compulsory modules

The Year 2 content builds on the first year, covering a range of specialised geological topics. This content is compulsory, and ensures that your degree meets the accreditation requirements. The Year 2 field courses take you to North West Scotland, where you will focus on geological mapping skills, and to Dorset and Cornwall, where you will cover a wide range of exercises, from palaeontology to structural geology.

Field Skills and Project Planning for Independent Geological Mapping project
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
Applied Geophysics
Continental Deformation
Micropalaeontology and Palaeoenvironments
Sedimentology
Resources and Hydrogeology
Year 3
Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules in Year 3 include your dissertation – a mapping project in an area of your choice, where you will undertake fieldwork the previous summer – and the Basin Analysis module, which is a field-based module in South East Spain. This course introduces a variety of new geological environments and rock types.

Geological Mapping Project
Basin Analysis and Neotectonics
Optional modules

You can specialise by choosing three modules from a wide variety of options, ranging from more applied and resource-based topics through to environmental and palaeontological modules. Example optional modules may include:

Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
Palaeoclimates
Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
Evolution of Vertebrates
Petroleum Geoscience
Evolutionary Palaeobiology
Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Geological Natural Hazards
Ore Deposits and Gemmology
Year 4
Compulsory modules

The compulsory Year 4 modules include your major research project – in a topic that you will have devised with an academic – and a skills-based module. The skills module includes a field course in Tenerife, focused on volcanic processes and hazards, as well as training you in research and science communication.

Advanced Project
Advanced Field, Research and Communication Skills
Optional modules

You also take two optional modules (except those taken in Year 3). Example optional modules may include:

Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
Palaeoclimates
Evolution of Vertebrates
Petroleum Geoscience
Evolutionary Palaeobiology
Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
Geological Natural Hazards
Inorganic Chemistry and Groundwater
Environmental Geophysics
Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation
Ore Deposits and Gemmology

Career opportunities

Geology careers are extremely diverse, with students going into a wide range of professions. Increasing numbers of our graduates are employed in environmental planning, land remediation hydrogeology and pollution control. Opportunities in some fields, notably the oil and minerals industries, vary from year to year. Other employers include the British Geological Survey (BGS), local authorities, museums, government organisations and engineering and construction companies. Other graduates decide on a career in teaching either from primary or right through to further education. Many students also go on to careers around the world in locations including Australia, New Zealand and Canada.