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Geoscience Degree

Geoscience combines the study of geology, geography, chemistry, physics and biology, to develop a complete understanding of how the earth works. The work of geoscientists helps us understand the changing climate, predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, find supplies of energy and raw materials, maintain clean air and water, understand the motion of the earth’s crust and oceans, and reconstruct the evolution of rocky planets and life.

New Science Streams for Undergraduate entry

Please see the Science website for more details

Is this course for me?

The TR062 programme is designed so that many sophister modules are available to students from both Moderatorships, reflecting the closely aligned nature of Geography and Geoscience. The distinctive nature of the two courses comes from the combination of subject material that can be taken alongside these shared modules. If you have developed an interest in studying Geography, spanning the physical, human and environmental aspects of the discipline, you are advised to select the Moderatorship in Geography. This will give you access to a wider range of Geography modules than are available to those selecting Geoscience, permitting you to pursue a broad programme in Geography or to specialise in a particular sub-field of the discipline. If your interests are more aligned with studying the physical, chemical and biological mechanisms of Earth system function, extending from contemporary processes through to those operating over deep time, you are advised to select the Geoscience Moderatorship which replaces the former Trinity degree programmes in Earth Science and Geology. This will give you access to a wider range of Geoscience modules than are available for those selecting Geography, allowing you to pursue a broad programme combining Physical Geography and Geology or to specialise in one of these areas.

Please see the Science website for more details

What will you study?

The first two years of the programme provide a grounding in geography and geoscience with particular emphasis on physical geography, geology and human-environment interactions. Students will learn about topical issues such as climate change, natural hazards (e.g. volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides), energy, sustainability and natural resources. Introductory modules provide the foundational skills required to understand the science underpinning these issues, and the wider context required to evaluate them. Some of the subjects considered include: the origins and development of our planet; earth structure and composition; circulation in the atmosphere and oceans; the evolution of life on Earth; earth surface processes and environments (e.g. glaciers, rivers and deserts). In addition to learning about the physical, chemical and biological processes responsible for creating and shaping the earth, students will also consider the unique role that humans play in the earth system, including their impacts on the land, air and water, and the grand challenges linked to environmental governance, policy and management.

In years 3 and 4, students have an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in particular subject areas, whilst further developing a portfolio of practical and technical skills (e.g. geochemical analysis, GIS, remote sensing). The programme structure provides for flexibility in module choice whilst retaining coherent curriculum design to ensure graduates are well prepared for entry to the constantly changing job market. Specialist options cover a diverse range of topics, with a student’s choice of module determining whether they graduate with a degree in ‘Geography’ or ‘Geoscience’. In this way, each student may tailor the course to suit their particular interests, whether this be focussing on topics traditionally associated with geography (e.g. geomorphology, globalisation, sustainability) or geology (e.g. volcanology, palaeontology, natural resources), or retaining a broader, multi-disciplinary perspective that spans the critical interface between science and society. In their final year, each student will undertake a significant piece of individual research, typically employing laboratory and / or field work.

Modules

Modules outline can be seen in the Geoscience Handbook available soon.

Careers

Geography and geoscience graduates are in demand to work on many of society’s most important challenges, and can pursue lucrative and personally rewarding careers in industry, academia, research and government. Careers leading directly from the programme include work in: environmental, engineering and geological consultancies; mineral exploration companies; the hydrocarbon industry; environmental planning; overseas development; government geological surveys; teaching and research. Geography and geoscience graduates are also highly valued in more generalised fields of employment due to their rounded educational experience and many transferable skills, their adaptability, and their experience of dealing with complex spatial or multivariate data sets.