University of Brighton
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Geology
BSc(Hons)

  • Course summary and entry requirements

    Course duration Help

    Full-time: 3 years

    Part-time: 6 years

    Sandwich: 4 years

    UCAS code F600

    Professional accreditation

    This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London.

    About the course

    This course explores the Earth and its evolution through deep time as a global-scale system in a planetary context. Students develop an understanding of the place of geology in our environment and communities and its role in cross-disciplinary topics such as oceanography, the assessment of natural hazards, climate change and biodiversity.

    Typical entry requirements Help

    The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary

    A-levels:
    ABB. Must include a science-related subject (minimum 100 points). Applicants with only two full A-levels or a double award will be considered on an individual basis.

    International Baccalaureate:
    34 points, specified subjects.

    QAA-approved access course:
    acceptable, subject-specific units.

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

    Foundation degree/HND
    /HNC direct to 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.

  • Course content

    Course structure

    Study comprises lectures, practical classes, fieldwork, and seminars. Fieldwork is a key part of the course, and field courses are held in areas such as Yorkshire, Wales, Spain and Cyprus. After year 2, students can undertake a placement year in industry.

    Areas of study

    Year 1 provides a foundation in Earth sciences and assumes no prior knowledge of geology. The emphasis is on key principles and on developing practical skills. These skills and principles are reinforced through fieldwork including two residential field courses in the UK.

    Year 2 deepens knowledge of key areas ? earth structure, rock-forming processes, deformation and chemical processes. These are complemented by applied topics such as the geology of mineral and hydrocarbon resources and the application of geographical information systems. Research and career skills enhance graduates? career potential. Two field courses, one overseas and the other UK-based, provide training in geological mapping. Starting in the summer of year 2, a research project is undertaken, normally involving four weeks of fieldwork. Options in the final year allow specialisation in topics such as planetary geology, oceanography, evolution, geohazard assessment, hydrogeology and resource exploration.

    Syllabus

    Year 1
    Fundamentals of Geology
    Mineralogy and Petrology
    Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks
    The Global Earth System
    Interpresting Geological Maps
    Geology of Your Home Area
    Mathematics for Geoscientists
    Data presentation and analysis
    Field courses in Pembrokeshire and Yorkshire

    Options
    An Introduction to Environmental Hazards
    Elements of Chemistry
    Evolutionary Biology
    Fundamentals of Physical Geography
    Global Environmental Issues and Management
    Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
    Physiological Ecology
    The Ocean Planet: an introduction
    Water in the Environment
    Modern languages

    Year 2
    Structure of the Earth and Global Processes
    Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
    Structural Geology
    Environmental Geochemistry
    Sedimentology
    Earth Resources
    Applied Palaeontology
    Geology field course, Spain
    Research and Career Skills for Geoscientists
    Geographic Information Systems
    Field courses in Spain and Anglesey

    Optional industrial placement year

    Final year
    Exploration Geology
    Environmental Geology / Professional Practice
    Field course in Cyprus
    Geology project

    Options
    Advanced Analytical Methodology
    Air Quality Management
    Applied Ecology and Conservation
    Applied Remote Sensing
    Biogeography
    Case Studies in Environmental Pollution
    Coastal Environments
    Environmental Assessment
    Environmental Change in Low Latitudes
    Evolution and the Fossil Record
    Freshwater Processes and Ecosystems
    Geohazards
    Geographics Information Systems
    Geology of Major Civil Engineering Projects
    Global Petrogenesis
    Hydrogeology
    Independent study module
    Introduction to Remote Sensing
    Medical Geography
    Oceanography
    Planetary Geology
    Plant and Animal Interactions
    Political Ecology
    Waste Management
    Water and Health
    Wetland Environments
    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 2012-13. 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 Geology  [P2EG010]
    UK/EU (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    Island Students (Full Time)9,000 GBP
    International (Full Time)12,500 GBP

  • Location

    Location Help 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.

    Music event on the beach

    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.

    Burning the Clocks winter solstice 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.

    Playing volleyball on the seafront

  • Staff profiles

    Dr Norman Moles

    Norman's research focuses on metals in the environment.  He has a spectrum of interests from the formation of metallic ore deposits in sedimentary environments to the dispersal of metallic materials in soils.  

  • Career opportunities

    Graduates are equipped with the skills needed for careers in the water, extraction and construction industries; in teaching, planning and promoting earth science heritage; in environmental management and remediation of contaminated land; and in business and financial areas. The degree is also an excellent basis for postgraduate study. Our employment record is excellent and recent graduates have quickly found employment, or been offered places on taught masters-level courses or research programmes.

    Visit the careers service website.

Application process
Book your open day place
Find out more

01273 642288
Email entec@brighton.ac.uk

If you are an international student, contact us on:

+44 (0) 207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk

 

Visit the school that delivers this course

Read the subject brochure