Geology and Geophysics BSc (Hons)

This module introduces students to the key skills necessary to succeed on a University Earth Science course. It does this via a series of lectures, workshops and tutorials, together with a geology fieldwork day and attendance at departmental seminars and talks. The lectures, towards the start of the first semester, cover academic integrity, exam skills, employability and 2D/3D visualisation. Tailored workshops cover Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Word, Excel and programming skills. Small-group (typically 4 to 8 students) tutorials are run by academic staff and cover essay writing (including assessment), careers and employability. Academic tutors undertake personal development planning (careers and module selection advice) with each tutee.

This module provides a basic introduction to sedimentology and palaeontology. Students learn about the origin of sediment, sedimentary processes and structures and the ways in which sediments are converted into solid rock. The course outlines the importance of sedimentary rocks for hydrocarbons, water and as construction materials. Students learn how to describe and interpret sedimentary deposits. The palaeontology component introduces students to the major fossil groups and to the ways in which organisms can be preserved as fossils. It covers the importance of fossils for the study of evolution, environmental change and Earth history. Students learn how to describe fossils and how observations contribute to a broader understanding. Students will be assessed by means of two practical tests and a theory examination.

​This module aims to provide all students with a common foundation in mathematics, necessary for studying the physical sciences and maths courses in later semesters. All topics will begin "from the ground up" by revising ideas which may be familiar from A-level before building on these concepts. In particular, the basic principles of differentiation and integration will be practised, before extending to functions of more than one variable. Basic matrix manipulation will be covered as well as vector algebra and an understanding of eigenvectors and eigenvalues.

This field module provides a basic training in field techniques and gives students practical experience working with a wide range of rock types and tectonic structures to solve geological problems. Students gain experience in recording field data and use their own data to interpret geological processes and environments. The module is assessed by means of an individual fieldwork portfolio and a group synthesis poster completed after the field class.

This module provides an introduction to the Earth and aims to teach students about the structure and composition of the Earth, the Earth’s gravitational and magnetic fields, and dynamics within the deep Earth; the physics of Earth material and the geological time scale; and plate tectonics. The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and practicals. Students are assessed through a combination of coursework and a final exam.

This module introduces key subjects within Earth Sciences: Structural Geology and Geological Mapping. In this module you will be introduced to geological structures from the micro to the mountain scale, and receive training in the geometrical techniques used to document and analyse them. You will also learn the basic principles of stress and strain which underpin a number of advanced Earth Science subjects and skills used in industry and research. Finally, the module will provide training in how to read and understand geological maps, train your 3D visualisation skills by learning how to create geological cross-sections from maps, and how to stereographically plot 3D geological data. A combination of virtual lectures, tutorials, and directed reading will help you navigate this course. You will be assessed on the development of your practical skills through an open book practical exam and an individual research paper on a topic in structural geology.

​This module introduces some of the mathematical techniques used in physics. For example, differential equations, PDE’s, integral vector calculus and series are discussed. The ideas are first presented in lectures and then put into practice in problems classes, with support from demonstrators and the module lecturer. When you have finished this module, you should: Be familiar with methods for solving first and second order differential equations in one variable. Be familiar with methods for solving partial differential equations and applications. Have a basic knowledge of integral vector calculus. Have a basic understanding of Fourier series and transforms.

This module will introduce and develop understanding of rock-forming minerals and critical raw materials in terms of their environments of formation, occurrence, and abundance. The module will focus on exploring the uses and societal significance of a range of Earth materials, especially those critical to sustainable and renewable energy resources and various societal infrastructure. The key practical skills of mineral description, identification and interpretation will be developed and applied throughout the module to equip students with appropriate skills for many later geoscience modules and for future employment.

The module provides an overview of Newtonian mechanics, continuing on from A-level courses. This includes: Newton’s laws of motion in linear and rotational circumstances, gravitation and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. The theory of Relativity is then introduced, starting from a historical context, through Einstein’s postulates, leading to the Lorentz transformations.

This module provides an introduction to the principles and application of all the main geophysical methods used for exploration purposes. These methods include seismic refraction, seismic reflection, electrical methods, ground penetrating radar, gravity and magnetics. Case studies will be used to highlight the application of these methods at a range of scales from shallow to deep to small to large, highlighting their uses within archaeology, engineering and geology. The module concludes with a synthesis of methods and how to approach site investigation. The module is delivered through lectures and problem sessions and is based on continuous assessment from set homework assignments or problem sheets and a final exam.

This module introduces and develops a range of skills that are central to the research process and for employment after graduation. The module provides students with the research skills they will need to complete Year 3 dissertation projects. The syllabus is delivered via tutorial sessions and a lecture/workshop series. The tutorials provide a learning environment to support students in discussing key issues and in developing important professional skills. The lecture/workshop series covers IT-related skills needed for writing and illustrating reports, graphically representing geospatial data, consistently citing and referencing data sources, as well as aspects of project planning and risk assessment. Assessment is coursework-based and comprises an oral presentation, a report/literature review, a poster displaying geological/geophysical geospatial data, and a project plan (Gantt chart).

This module introduces students to fundamentals of Earth and environmental data science. Students will become familiar with methods used to collate and computationally analyse a variety of Earth Science data. After introducing programming basics, students will then start to write code to analyse and simulate Earth processes that model their datasets. By the end of the module, students are expected to have a broad overview of the ways in which data science is applied in the study of the Earth and environment.

This module builds on the theory taught in Exploration Geophysics (ENVS216) by introducing practical experience, data analysis and interpretation of field data. The module will introduce the principles of environmental surveying using a range of geophysical techniques. Attention will be paid to how these different methods can be integrated to provide a thorough interpretation of survey data. The module will be assessed through a combination of continuous assessment, including short technical reports.

This module is a combination of on-campus workshops followed by a residential field class in which students learn various techniques required to characterise the 3D geological and geomorphological evolution of an area. Training entails mapping of geological and geomorphological features at different scales, training in methods for acquiring a variety of field data, and guidance for synthesising and interpreting field datasets. Training is designed to develop abilities to visualise geology and geomorphology in 3D, and to analyse and synthesise discrete observations to build a full four-dimensional model of the geological history of an area from their own measured data. Such fieldskills and data-handling and data synthesis skills are highly regarded and often sought for by geoscience employers. This module also provides the students with skills required for final year independent field-based research projects. Exercises will encourage increasingly independent work as students’ skills develop. Group work develops students’ ability to work effectively in a team.

Building on previous study of mineralogy, igneous and structural geology, this module provides students with a foundation in the subject of metamorphism. From how and why atoms move around to form new minerals, through the textures of metamorphic rocks in hand specimen and how to interpret them, to the large-scale plate tectonic phenomena that drive everything. Delivery involves a combination of interactive lectures and practical sessions. Practicals involve thin section work, hand specimen examination, calculations and the study of geological maps. Metamorphic geology plays a pivotal role in unravelling the story of the Caledonides of Britain and Ireland, as it does in unravelling the history of the entire Earth. Students are assessed during term in using practical skills (thin section drawing, calculations, use of various graphical and pictorial techniques) and through a final theory exam in knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Sedimentary successions are the only archive from which we can accurately decode the Earth’s past. Using physical, chemical and biological information we can reconstruct past climates, tectonics and depositional environments. This module teaches the fundamental principles of interpreting sedimentary stratigraphy and develops students’ abilities to recognise sedimentary textures and use them to interpret ancient depositional environments.

This module comprises a series of lectures, seminars and practical classes to facilitate students constructing their own learning in the fields of volcanology and geohazards. Lectures and guided reading present the scientific, societal, economic and political aspects of volcanic hazards within the wider geohazard context. These themes are then explored further through illustrative case studies, guest seminars and practical exercises.

A pinnacle of your degree, this module will embed you within an active research group where you will undertake an individual and unique Earth Science research project over the course of an academic year. Under the supervision of an academic member of staff, you will plan and undertake an independent (field-, lab- or desk-based) research project in an area of Earth Science that interests you. In addition to developing specific and general research skills, you will gain invaluable experience in communicating your topic and findings in both oral and written formats.

This module will provide an introduction the fundamentals of signal processing and seismic interpretation. The module is taught through a combination of Lectures, practical examples during computer-based practical sessions, and self-directed learning. Assessment for the module includes a conference style presentation on the analysis and interpretation of a real-world seismic dataset and a final exam. Successful students will develop understanding of the fundamental concepts and theory of signal processing. They will become familiar with modern seismic data analysis workflows, including correcting and enhancing data, leading to a final geologic interpretation.

This module is a practical introduction to a range of techniques in exploration and environmental geophysics, and their application in industry and research. The students receive field-based (or online, where necessary) training in geophysical techniques, including seismic, gravity, magnetic, and electrical methods. During the entire duration of the field class the students will work in teams and will be required to undertake a geophysical survey. The students will benefit from being exposed to problem solving and a workflow analogous to working for a major exploration or geophysical engineering company.

Geophysics talks are full of exciting colour figures showing the interior of the Earth. But are these pictures real? At best, they are only a simplified mathematical parameterisation of the true Earth; at worst they can be misleading or plain wrong. This module provides the tools to construct such models by mathematical modelling of geophysical observations, but perhaps even more importantly, shows how such models can be interpreted, and provides understanding of their limitations. Mathematical foundations are given with sections on matrix analysis, optimisation theory and statistics, with application to geophysical problems. Error estimation is considered in detail, in particular the reasons why most error estimates are close to worthless! Detailed examples are presented from all areas of geophysics, with a project to generate a model of the magnetic field of the planet Neptune. Examples also extend to modern developments, including links to Big Data and Machine Learning.

This module returns to the broad subject areas of Earth structure and plate tectonics, building a stronger quantitative and research skills focus together with an extended requirement to synthesise broad topics into coherent arguments concerning global and topical geodynamical problems. It will cover advanced topics in plate tectonics, global mantle and core geodynamics, Earth and planetary history and lithospheric-scale processes. A strong emphasis is placed on physical interactions between the primary layers of Earth leading to an integrational understanding of Earth’s dynamics and evolution.

Ocean dynamics addresses how the ocean and atmosphere circulate. Fundamental questions are addressed, such as how heat, salt, and dissolved substances are transported, how jets and weather systems emerge on our planet, why there are western boundary currents in the ocean, and how seafloor topography shapes the ocean circulation. Students will improve their understanding of how the ocean and atmosphere behave, including comparing the importance of different physical processes in the climate system. The module is delivered via lectures and formative workshops to gain skills at problem solving. There is significant mathematical content, requiring familiarity with calculus and algebra. The module is assessed through two online tests and an essay.

This module will teach students to write and use simple numerical forward models of environmental systems, including geomorphic, geophysical, oceanographic and ecological models. Successful students will develop important transferrable coding and numeracy skills through a series of lectures, seminars and practical work. The module will be assessed through practical work only, with formative feedback throughout to help develop the necessary skills.

This module provides the basic principles of engineering geology and hydrogeology. The applications of these principles are illustrated using selected examples and emphasis is placed on the interaction between them and their control on the mechanical stability of natural systems. By necessity predictions must be quantitative but, in order to develop understanding, a strongly graphical approach has been adopted in this module. The applications of engineering geology and hydrogeology will be highlighted using a field-based case study: the Mam Tor landslip. Engineering geology and hydrogeology are two important sources of employment and this module provides an opportunity to experience the scope and nature of these subjects. A combination of lectures, directed reading, laboratory work and fieldwork are used to deliver the module. Twelve lectures will be supported by six laboratory based practicals. It will be assessed using a report of the field investigation and an examination.