Undergraduate study

Overview

Geoscience is both a fascinating and very much an interdisciplinary concept that is mainly based upon the integration of knowledge from geology and allied subjects. The Keele Single Honours Geoscience course provides a modern approach to the study of Planet Earth: its structure, composition, processes, history, and its mineral and energy resources.

The course also places emphasis on the relevance of Geoscience to the needs of society, including the search for natural resources such as oil, coal, minerals, aggregates and water, as well as the increasing importance of the application of environmental and engineering geoscience within our industrialised society. Geoscience also draws on knowledge from many different aspects of the physical sciences such as chemistry, biology and physics, as well as other subjects such as physical geography, environmental science and economics.

What we offer

• An innovative and interdisciplinary course
• No previous knowledge of geoscience subjects, such as Geology, required
• A wide range of career options and wealth of job opportunities
• Development of field, laboratory and information technology skills to provide an appropriate knowledge base for a range of careers in the academic world, the public sector or industry
• Fully-integrated fieldwork programme including overseas field courses, opportunities for independent study through research projects and fieldwork exercises
• Modern laboratories and computing facilities running specialist Geoscience software

Course Content

The Geoscience degree programme at Keele is based on a Single Honours structure. It is mainly designed for those students who want to focus on Geology-based topics for the three years of their undergraduate degree studies, as opposed to studying two subjects under the Dual Honours degree scheme.

First year
The first year lays the foundations for detailed study of Geoscience concepts in the second and third years. It will be assumed that students have no previous knowledge of Geoscience subjects such as Geology; the course will begin from basics in order to promote a smooth transition for new students into their university studies. Students will take the following seven Geoscience modules:

Planet Earth introduces the Earth as a planet, geological processes such as plate tectonics, and how these processes relate to geological features such as volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. These geological processes and features are compared with those on other planets.

Rocks, Minerals and Fossils provides an introduction to common rock-forming minerals, as well as igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in hand specimen. The major fossil groups are also studied, including trilobites, graptolites, ammonites, corals and dinosaurs.

Rocks – Up Close develops understanding of the formation and classification of different rock types by examination using a petrological microscope.

Time and Space provides an introduction to Earth time and Earth history. It covers stratigraphic principles and the geological evolution of Europe. It also introduces geological structures and the interpretation of geological maps.

The Earth System focuses on interactions between the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, the biosphere and the societal system in terms of explaining past, present and possible future changes on Earth (e.g. climate change, mass extinctions, etc).

Introductory Environmental Chemistry aims to introduce core concepts in Chemistry applicable to the Environmental Sciences and Geochemistry.

Geoscience Data Interpretation, Analysis and Visualisation provides an introduction to geophysical, remote sensing, geographical/geological information system (GIS) techniques for the handling of a variety of geoscience data.

Students have a free choice of one of the free-standing elective modules offered by all faculties within the University. An elective module is offered to provide compatibility with part of the University’s philosophy for undergraduate education, which is broad based rather than over-specialised.

Second year 

Photo shows a satellite image of the Mississippi Delta (courtesy of NASA).

Particular attention will be paid to first-hand observation, recording and interpretation of Geoscience phenomena in the field and laboratory. By the end of the second year students will have been given a complete grounding in Geoscience that will allow them to carry out their own independent studies. You will take the following eight geoscience modules:

Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology studies the nature of igneous bodies and the processes of the formation of igneous rocks. Studies of metamorphic minerals and textures are described in the context of regional, contact and dynamic metamorphism.

Reconstructing Past Environments demonstrates how the geomorphology of ancient sedimentary environments can be reconstructed from evidence in the rock record and from using equivalent modern environments as a template.

Geoscience and Society aims to develop an awareness of the essential contributions of geoscience to the economic, environmental and cultural needs of society. It provides an understanding of issues such as geology and health, resource depletion and alternative sources of energy.

Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary Studies includes the study of recent deposits and how they can be interpreted to understand the processes that caused their formation, as well as understanding them as indicators of palaeoenvironmental conditions. It also covers the occurrence of, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time.

Forensic & Historical Geoscience provides advanced knowledge and understanding of aspects of applied geoscience in forensic & historical contexts.

Environmental Analytical Methods provides an understanding and technical appreciation of the process and application of a range of analytical techniques relevant to the analysis of the composition of different environmental media, including soil, water and vegetation.

Advanced Structural Geology and Geological Mapping Training: In the Structural Geology component of the module, students investigate the behaviour of rocks when deformed and the methods used to study their deformation. The practical classes place emphasis on the use of computing techniques for structural analysis and visualisation, including the use of Geographical/Geological Information Systems (GIS). The Geological Mapping Training part of the module is mainly based on a residential field course that takes place immediately before the start of the second year and covers the techniques used to make a geological map.

Geoscience Field Techniques has a number of aims, including an introduction to the key concepts in near-surface geophysics, the demonstration in the field of the structure and development of a major overseas geological province, and to prepare students with appropriate background knowledge to carry out their final year independent field project.

Third year
The third year involves a combination of compulsory and option modules. All students complete an independent field project, a core module on Economic Geology and attend an advanced field course. Students select four course-specific option modules (see list below) that are designed to provide in-depth coverage of a particular Geoscience topic. Much of the content of these Level 3 option modules is based on research at the forefront of the discipline and helps to strengthen links between teaching and research.

Option modules:
Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology
Structure and Geodynamics
Natural Hazards
Exploration Geophysics for the Hydrocarbon Industry
Global Environmental Change
Water Resources
Hydrological and Engineering Geology
Volcanic and Magmatic Processes
Micropalaeontology
Coastal Environments
Applied Methods in the Environmental Sciences

MGeoscience

MGeoscience at Keele is a four-year undergraduate Masters degree course for those students considering a specialist career in Earth Sciences. Students who take the MGeoscience programme take all modules belonging to the three-year Geoscience programme. Alternatively, students can combine Dual Honours Geology modules with certain other subjects in the first two years.

They then progress to a fourth year of study, the Masters-level year, that consists of an advanced research project, along with core modules based on the further development of computing skills, including web authoring and computer programming, and the development of a detailed literature synthesis on a Geoscience topic.

An additional core module on spatial geoscience data analysis techniques includes an advanced field course based mainly on the use of applied geological and geophysical methods. A further three option modules are also taken during the Masters-level year.

Fieldwork and opportunities to study abroad

Fieldwork is an essential part of a geoscientist’s training and is intended to supplement formal class teaching and develop the skills of observing and recording. It also provides valuable social and cultural experience outside the University environment. The Geoscience programme includes field excursions to classic geological areas within the British Isles.

In addition, overseas field courses enable students to study the evolution of fundamentally different geological regimes. The field course programme consists of the following:

• First year: five one-day field excursions, introducing the study of rocks, geological map making and museum fossil collections. A six-day residential field course to Pembrokeshire brings together a number of important Geoscience concepts
• Second Year: a week long residential field course in Snowdonia, North Wales covering detailed training in mapping techniques. There is also a 12-day overseas field course (to the western US) where field experience will be extended by studying a variety of superbly exposed rocks illustrating phenomena not available in the UK. In addition, there is a one-day field course that focuses on sedimentological techniques and a
• field excursion involving the study of recent deposits
• Third Year: all students are expected to undertake an individual field-based project. There is also a compulsory field course either to western Scotland that focuses on advanced petrology and structural geology or to southern Italy to study recent volcanoes.
  

Students who wish to undertake fieldwork overseas are encouraged to do so. Students who are interested in exchanges as part of the University’s Study Abroad programme are encouraged to spend a semester during the second year at one of our overseas partner institutions in Iceland, the US, Canada, etc.

Codes and Combinations

Single Honours and Foundation courses available:

Teaching and Assessment

Each taught module normally lasts for 10 to 12 weeks, and typically involves two lectures and a three-hour practical class each week. Students will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of their study. The role of the personal tutor is to meet formally with their tutees to discuss progress and performance, and to offer support and advice. A number of field courses of varying length are integrated into the teaching programme to provide first-hand experience of Geoscience phenomena.

Programme specifications (new window)

Skills and Careers

The interdisciplinary nature of Geoscience means that a sound training will be given in Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry, as well as aspects of Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Chemistry, remote sensing and GIS. In addition to the subject-specific skills acquired on the course, training is also given in IT, report writing and oral presentation skills. The nature of Geoscience promotes the development of logical, deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills that employers value.

Graduates from the course will be suitably qualified for a variety of Geoscience careers, including employment destinations in geological surveys, environmental and geological consultancy companies, water authorities, land management and planning companies, the oil and gas industry, and the mining and quarrying industry. There is a wealth of job opportunities in these areas at present and the demand for Geoscience graduates from employers is likely to continue into the foreseeable future. The course also provides an excellent background for those students who wish to progress to postgraduate Master's courses or to PhD research.

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UK/EU Admissions
Tel: 01782 734005
Email: admissions.ukeu@keele.ac.uk

International Admissions
Tel: +44(0) 1782 733274
Email: international@keele.ac.uk

Course Information
Tel: 01782 733615
Email: gge@keele.ac.uk