Earth and Ocean Science
BSc(Hons)

Course summary and entry requirements

Course duration

Full-time: 3 years

Part-time: 6 years

With placement year 4 years

UCAS code FF67

About the course

The oceans cover almost three-quarters of the Earth's surface, and hold over nine tenths of the planet's water. They play a critical role in regulating the global climate, and are a vital biological, mineral and energy resource. This degree focuses on the interface between oceanography and geology/earth science.

An understanding of ocean processes is essential for work in coastal or hazard management, coastal and offshore engineering, marine conservation, pollution control, and in managing climate change and sea-level rise. From an earth science perspective, the oceans are part of a linked Earth-ocean system that has evolved over four billion years and a geological perspective is critical in understanding the oceans and in predicting future change in the ocean system.

Typical entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2014. Entry requirements for students thinking about starting a course in 2013 can be found in the online prospectus. Individual offers may vary

A-levels:
BBB. Must include a relevant science-related subject.

BTEC
DDM.

International Baccalaureate:
32 points, specified subjects.

Access to HE Diploma
pass (at least 45 credits at level 3), with 18 credits at merit or above. Level 3 units in science required.

GCSE (minimum grade C) or Access Equivalent
at least three subjects including English language and mathematics or a science.

Foundation degree/HND
/HNC may enable you to start the course in year 2.

For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

For equivalent international qualifications


Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language entry requirements
For help meeting English language requirements contact our
Language Institute.

We can help you meet our academic entry requirements
For help meeting academic entry requirements contact our
International College.

If you cannot find your country listed, please email admissions@brighton.ac.uk

Course content

Course structure

Study involves lectures, practical classes, fieldwork, tutorials and seminars. In addition to subject-specific modules, you will undertake training in study skills, research methods and career development. You may also take an optional placement year with a relevant employer, to enhance your practical and industrial experience. Fieldwork is a key part of the course, and day and weekend excursions plus residential field courses are held in areas such as Wales, Spain and Cyprus.

Areas of study

Following the introduction to the Earth-ocean system in year 1, you will be able to either maintain a broad-based course or to specialise in particular aspects such as marine geology, marine biology, coastal engineering, geochemistry and pollution control, or global change. Common to all pathways is the emphasis placed on the role of earth and ocean science in society, and in managing and mitigating contemporary environmental issues and problems.

Syllabus

Year 1
Fundamentals of Geology
The Global Earth System
The Ocean Planet: an Introduction
Introduction to Field Geology
Mineralogy and Petrology
Water in the Environment
Ecological Processes
Geology of Your Home Area
Maths skills for Geoscientists
Data Analysis for Geoscientists
Options
An Introduction to Environmental Hazards
Evolutionary Biology
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Geology field course, Yorkshire
Global Environmental Issues and Management
Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
Interpreting Geological Maps
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Physiological Ecology
Modern languages
Year 2
Research and Career Skills
Structure of the Earth and Global Processes
Introduction to Marine Biology
Sedimentology
Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry
Boat-based field course
Geology field work in Spain
Options (within Earth and Ocean Science themes):
Applied Palaeontology
Climate Change
Environmental Conservation and Management
Ice Age Earth
Geographic Information Systems
Earth Resources
Hydraulics
Coastal and Aeolian Landscapes
Ecological Techniques
Soil and Water Analysis
Structural Geology
Fundamentals of Environmental Microbiology
Other options:
Environmental and Spatial Planning
Environmental Hazards
Environmental Pollution and Control
Advanced Statistics
Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Sustainable Development
Water in the Landscape
Behavioural end evolutionary ecology
Alternative and renewable energy
Modern languages
Optional placement year
Final year
Earth and ocean science project
Field course in Cyprus
Options (within Earth and Ocean Science themes):
Oceanography
Coastal Environments
Geohazards
Applied Ecology
Planetary Geology
Environmental Hydraulics
Wetland Environments
Hydrogeology
Exploration Geology
Water and Health
Evolution and the Fossil Record
Applied Remote Sensing
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Change in Low Latitudes
Environmental Geology / Professional Practice
Geology of Major Civil Engineering Projects
Geographical Information Systems 2
Other options:
Air Quality Management
Biogeography
Case Studies in Environmental Pollution
Freshwater Processes and Ecosystems
Global Petrogenesis
Independent study module
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Medical Geography
Political Ecology
Biology field skills
Modern languages

You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:

Programme Specification
Fees and costs

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2013-14. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

Our website www.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

BSc Hons Earth and Ocean Science [P2EG013]

UK/EU 9,000 GBP
Island Students 9,000 GBP
International 12,900 GBP

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is currently £750 for Home and Island Students and £1,760 for International students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.
Location

Location Moulsecoomb

Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Brighton
Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.
Social scene
Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Arts
The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.
Sports
Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.
Staff profiles

Dr Stewart Ullyott

Stewart's research interests centre upon the development of silicified Cenozoic sediments, with particular interest in the origins of sarsens and puddingstones in southern Britain.
Career opportunities

The broad range of skills developed in this degree provides an effective foundation for careers in the coastal and offshore industries; in environmental management; in the water, extraction, and construction industries; and in the business and financial fields. The degree is also an excellent basis for postgraduate study. Our employment record in earth science areas is excellent and recent graduates have quickly found employment, or have been offered places on taught masters-level courses or PhD programmes.

Visit the careers service website.