Geoscience MRes

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 develop your 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 further training in key research skills such as GIS, qualitative methods or geochemistry.

Syllabus

Core modules

• Research Project
• Evaluating Research in Environmental and Geoscience

Options

• Policy and Implementation in Town Planning 
• Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities 
• Sustainable Construction 
• Issues in Ecology and Conservation 
• Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills 
• Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
• Introduction to GIS 
• Applications in GIS 
• Applied Remote Sensing 
• Environmental Politics and Social Justice
• Independent Study 
• Environmental Impact Assessment 
• Environmental Management in Organisations
• Environmental Policy and Law 
• Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management 
• Controversies in Science 
• Hydrology and Pollutant Transport 
• Water Quality Analysis
• Wastewater Treatment Technology 
• Water and Water Reuse Treatment Technology 
• Water, Sanitation and Health 
• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy 
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

Staff profile 

Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou, Senior Lecturer

I am a member of the Applied Geosciences and the Past Human and Environment Dynamics Research and Enterprise Groups, and the Centre for Aquatic Environments. 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 Raymond Ward
• Dr Laurence Hopkinson
• Dr Norman Moles
• Dr Laura Evenstar
• Dr Jake Ciborowski
• Dr Friederike Gunzel
• Dr Heidi Burgess
• Dr Chris Carey
• 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

Tap for a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

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.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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