Geoscience MRes

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Course structure

The Geoscience MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

Areas of study

The core MRes research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across a wide and dynamic range of disciplines. You will discuss and develop your idea for this with your supervisor early in the course. 

You will develop a wider understanding of environmental research through our specialist evaluating research modules, including guided reading from journal clubs, research seminars and more informal student-led presentations.

Taught modules will support your research specialism or project with further training in key research skills such as GIS, qualitative methods or geochemistry.

Syllabus

Modules

Core modules

• Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

  This introductory course to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is for both newcomers to the field and existing practitioners. The module will give you a theoretical and practical understanding of GIS concepts, technical issues and applications using GIS software. You will develop spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem-solving skills and apply these to the identification and examination of geographical and wider environmental issues.

• MRes Research Project

  During this module you will carry out a detailed independent investigative research project within a relevant academic discipline, field of study or area of professional practice. You will develop advanced skills in project planning, data generation and analysis, critical analysis of scientific literature, and written and oral presentation to the expected level of a professional scientist.

Options*

• Policy and Implementation in Town Planning

  This module examines the policies and processes behind spatial planning in England and Wales, covering the key principles, the roles of different stakeholders and how individual rights and community interests can be balanced. You’ll look at the changing planning policy framework which is used to guide development and land use and explore how and why this has changed over time.

• Masters Independent Study

  During this module you will carry out an in-depth investigation of an area of interest from a chosen area of study which falls within the expertise of the staff within the School of Applied Sciences, but is outside the range of material covered by the course. The content of the module depends upon the subject you choose, but will be within the remit of Applied Sciences masters degrees. It should also be different to the subject chosen for your dissertation.

• Communicating Issues in Ecology and Conservation

  In this module you will explore some of the key issues and current global challenges facing biodiversity. You will look at effective strategies for communicating complex ecological and conservation topics to diverse audiences. Each week will focus on a different topic, with emphasis placed on providing an interactive learning experience via journal clubs, student-led seminars and communication skills workshops. 

• Contested Natures and Social Justice

  This module explores how power influences environmental change and governance. You will develop advanced critical skills by examining intellectual debates around nature, society and social justice in global environmental agendas. There’s a focus on how research in environmental social science is shaped by helps shape and new policies, activism and real-world actions. Learning will include reading, group discussions and guided visits.

• Environmental Impact Assessment

  This module will examine the principles behind, and the practice of, environmental impact assessment (EIA). You will study the development of EIA and its integration into EU and UK law, and the relationship between EIA and sustainable development. You’ll also explore the importance of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the effects that it may have on UK and EU environmental management. The module will use case studies to provide local and national examples of environmental statements and discuss the importance of quality and review.

• Key Concepts in Environmental Assessment and Management

  This module gives you a core understanding of contemporary environmental management issues. It will assess the global mega trends driving the need for environmental management, including climate change and biodiversity loss, and cover concepts and policy interventions to address these challenges. The module includes case studies that critically evaluate how environmental management is being addressed from policy through to project level, including waste management, food supply, coastal environmental management, sustainable business models and energy.

• Hydrology and Pollutant Transport

  The Hydrology and Pollutant Transport module introduces you to the fundamentals of surface and groundwater hydrology, focusing on precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, discharge, groundwater recharge, groundwater storage and groundwater flow. You will look at pollutant transport dynamics with a focus on pollutants in surface and groundwaters generated by human activities. The module places these topics in the context of the UK water industry structure, international legal and policy frameworks, and integrated catchment management.

• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities

  In this module you will look at the importance of climate change in the development of local coastal planning policies for energy, housing, transport and employment. You will also work with a local community group or a neighbourhood planning forum on an urban case study in or around Brighton and Hove. You will research, survey and analyse an area to produce effective responses to address the challenges of sustainable growth.

• Sustainable Construction

  This module looks at how the design and construction of buildings impact the environment. It provides a critical appraisal of one planet living and the responsibilities of the individual and the construction industry, and explores the resources consumed and pollution resulting from buildings and methods by which their sustainability can be evaluated. Some of the key features of buildings acknowledged as ‘sustainable construction’ will also be appraised.

• Applied Taxonomy for Conservation

  This practical module will enhance your ability to identify key taxonomic groups – small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, invertebrate and plants – used in ecological and environmental professions,  while improving your communication skills. You will develop an in-depth understanding and knowledge of a particular taxonomic group and communicate your findings to different audiences.

• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation

  This module provides an integrated approach to the study of key issues in ecotoxicology and environmental microbiology. You will explore a range of contemporary issues concerning biodegradation, food contamination, water quality, environmental health, bioremediation and current environmental legislation. You’ll look at the key concepts around the safe consumption of food and water and the biological responses to environmental stressors and microbial pollution events.

• Applications in GIS

  Application in GIS will help you develop skills around spatial and digital computing, data handling and problem solving and use them to identify and examine geographical and wider environmental issues. Case study topics include suitability modelling using raster-based Boolean approaches; data acquisition using GPS and Differential-GPS; and development of GIS-based decision support systems.

• Applied Remote Sensing

  On this module you will learn how to acquire, verify and apply remotely sensed digital image data. Using a hands-on approach, you'll use these skills to investigate geographical and wider environmental issues. The module includes contributions from external contributors from both industry and academia.

• Water Quality Assessment and Management

  This module introduces you to water quality assessment and management, teaching you skills related to field and laboratory experimental design, measurement of water quality, data analysis, interpretation of results and reporting to specialist/non-specialist audiences. It will provide you with experience in the management and presentation of large datasets and you will explore the roles of water safety planning, risk assessment, nature-based management and water treatment.

• Water Recycling Technology

  Our ability to identify, treat and distribute water safely is critical, however water scarcity is increasing due to expanding populations and more varied weather patterns, so the need for new water sources means wastewater is a precious resource. The module will explore traditional water and wastewater treatment as well as advanced water recycling processes to enable selection and design of the most sustainable economic and environmental processes. It will also provide carbon accounting skills.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Staff profile 

Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou, Senior Lecturer

As a Marine Geoscientist I have published extensively on processes involved in submarine landslides, the offshore record of the British Irish Ice Sheet and bottom current circulation and its impact on sedimentary processes. I have been part of many collaborative teams and have participated in, and led, offshore oceanographic expeditions.

The complexity and connectivity of the oceanic environment requires cross-disciplinary collaborations, while the difficulty in accessing it requires the constant push for technological development, both of which fascinate me and keep the research topic interesting.

I believe in the power of fieldwork when it comes to conveying complex concepts to students. I keep much of my teaching research-led and I often use my own research material in practical assignments as well as the latest published literature. Overall, I aim to instil self-confidence in my students.

I am interested in supervising projects in the following topics: slope instability in multiple geological environments, siliciclastic passive margins, active tectonic margins, seamounts, atolls, etc; alongslope bottom current sediment transportation and its links to slope instability as well as past climatic events; offshore glacial processes, modern and ancient; industry-related projects on topics such as pipeline/cable routes, offshore wind energy foundations, geohazard assessments for seafloor installations; microplastic distribution and incorporation in deep sea sediments; continuous processes from the shelf to the deep sea; applicants own ideas on marine geological processes.

Find out about other members of the team

• Dr Friederike Gunzel
• Dr Heidi Burgess
• Dr Lorna Linch

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

• geology, soil and water analysis labs
• public health and geochemical analysis labs
• air and water quality monitoring sites
• environmental hydraulics labs
• microscopy suite
• computer suite with GIS and remote-sensing software
• bench scale experimental treatment rigs 
• gamma spectroscopy 
• XRF and PXRF 
• Carbon analysis 
• DGPS
• experimental river basin 
• flumes
• terrestrial laser scanners 
• field survey equipment and drones
• atmospheric observatory.

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

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