Dr Norman Moles, Course Leader
Why study Geology BSc(Hons) or
Physical Geography and Geology BSc
(Hons) at the University of Brighton?
Excellence in teaching and support
Lectures
Laboratory work
Field work
Group discussions
Presentation skills
Support network
• Student Support and Guidance Tutor - personal and study support
• Course Leader - general issues/management of deadlines
• Personal Tutor - pastoral care
• Module Leader - academic issues
• StudentCentral - web-based virtual learning environment, available 24/7
Professionally accredited courses
Geology is a field-based science. Our students go to Pembrokeshire, Yorkshire, Anglesey, Spain, Cyprus
Skills-based learning
Most employers want to see:
• Key geological skills - rock identification, field skills, self management, numeracy and scientific understanding
• Information technology including Geographical Information Systems and data management software
• Research and data handling including research design, analysis and interpretation
• Presentation skills (written and oral) through posters, seminars and discussion
5 aspects to the coursesPhysical/Chemical SciencesEarth’s internal and external processes
rock and ore forming processes
planetary geology
Professional Developmentcareers investigation (2nd year)
professional practice (3rd year)
industry placement (optional sandwich year)
applied examples throughoutthe course
Research Skillsgeology of your home area (1st year)
research skills (2nd year)
independent project (3rd year)
Life Sciencesevolution and the fossil record
applied palaeontology
Practical Skillsmineral, rock, fossil identification
geological map interpretation
geological mapping, core logging
optical and analytical techniques
geophysical surveying
presentation skills
Facets of the Geology degree course
Professional accreditation
• Both courses are accredited by the Geological Society; accredited status renewed January 2012
• Stipulate aspects of course content – particularly the amount of fieldwork, numeracy skills, and development of research and professional skills.
• By completing an accredited degree you have already met part of the requirements for Chartered Geologist status, and can apply for chartership earlier.
Employer involvement in our courses includes:
• guest lectures by practicing geoscientists
• site visits facilitated by companies
• job advertisements relayed to students from
companies/agencies looking for trained
geoscientists
• ‘sandwich year’ work placements
Employer involvement
‘Sandwich year’ work placements
One year paid employment that counts towards
your degree. Previous employers have included:
• Industry – particularly geotechnical consultancies,
water companies, mineral exploration and mining
companies
• Environment Agency
• Local Authorities or Central Government
• Armed Forces (contaminated land assessment)
Facilities fit for the twenty-first century
Geochemistry analysis suite
Geophysical surveying equipment
Gamma spectrometer
Petrological and electron microscopes
Innovative and relevant
Emphasis on role of geoscientists in society
Managing and mitigating contemporary environmental issues
Mineral extraction and remediation
• Recent tectonics and sea-level change
• Formation of precious and rare metal deposits
• Marine geology and ancient ocean chemistry
• Hydrogeology and flood management
• Clean-up of contaminated land and
groundwater
• Carbon sequestration, nanotechnology
Staff research areas include:
Our students
Typically 40 in
each year group
Diverse – include
mature students
Organise the
Mantell Society
(student geological
society)
Careers
• Good opportunities for graduate geoscientists due to skills shortages in the UK and Australia
• Our Destinations survey data tell us that six months after graduation, 96% of our students are working or studying
• Our courses have a Career Planning Agreement with the University of Brighton Careers Centre
• Geoscience career investigation integrated into a compulsory year 2 module
• ‘Professional practice’ module in the final year
Geoscience careers
Mineral exploration
and mining
Water resource management
Geoscience careers
Engineering geology
Environmental geology and management
Contaminated land specialist
Geoscience careers
Geohazard assessment
Geotourism
Research, training and teaching
About our courses
• Investigates the forces that drive internal and
surface Earth processes, including evolution of
life and the ocean and atmosphere
• Acquire skills in three dimensional visualization
of the subsurface, including fluid migration
• An essential prerequisite to locating and
managing resources of minerals, water,
hydrocarbons and renewable resources, and
risk assessment of geohazards and
contaminated land
Geology BSc(Hons)
1st yearCredits: 100 core modules (incl. 2 field courses), 20 free choice*
2nd yearCredits: 120 core modules (incl. 2 field courses)
3rd year – BScCredits: 30 core modules, 30 options, 40 project (with fieldwork), 20 free choice*
Sandwich yearA professional placement adds lots of experience
Plus optional:
MSc120 credits taught modules & 60 credits research project
Can be followed by:
Geology BSc(Hons) course structure
*Language option available
• Bringing together geology and geography into
one degree course gives you the ‘best of both
worlds’ and a broad understanding of Earth
Science
• The course develops experience and skills
required to tackle issues such as water and
mineral supplies, pollution, waste disposal,
geohazards and environmental impacts
Physical Geography and Geology BSc(Hons)
1st yearCredits: 120 core modules (incl. 2 field courses)
2nd yearCredits: 50 core modules (incl. 1 field course), 70 option modules
3rd year – BScCredits: 60 option modules, 40 project (with fieldwork), 20 free choice*
Sandwich year
Plus optional:
MSc
Can be followed by:
Physical Geography and Geology BSc(Hons)
*Language option available
Anyquestions?