External summary

Educational aims of programme

• Provide training of the highest academic quality in a challenging and supportive learning environment and to maintain the flexibility that allows students to choose curriculum appropriate to their interests.
• Provide students with an understanding of fundamental concepts and current developments in Earth science and physical geography.
• Use research expertise as a resource for teaching excellence.  Teaching reflects the in-depth knowledge of active researchers, and students are encouraged to engage with the frontiers of current academic research in the Honours years.  This results in stimulating courses that include the very latest developments portrayed by researchers at the forefront of their fields.
• Provide students with the knowledge needed in Earth science and physical geography to understand and manage human impact on the physical environment. 
• Provide excellent preparation for a career in professional practice in Earth and Environmental Sciences, research in the Earth Sciences, and practice in industries, commerce, public service and education, particularly those needing to be informed by the methodology of a broad range of physical and natural science.
• Develop transferable skills related to problem-solving, communication, practical fieldwork, and computing, to increase our student???s employability and their enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Students on the Earth Science and Physical Geography degree will acquire:

• A broad knowledge of Earth science and its related disciplines.
• Knowledge of the structure and composition of the Earth, from core to atmosphere. Understanding of processes within it, together with those that influence its surface but which originate within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, or external to the Earth; and an understanding of the cyclic fluxes and interactions within and between these systems.
• Knowledge of how topography interacts with the atmosphere in governing fluvial, hillslope and glacial processes, and how these physical and environmental systems have changed over time to shape the modern continental landscapes.
• Knowledge of the nomenclature and classification of rocks, minerals, fossils, and geological structures and features; an understanding of how this knowledge may be applied to resolve Earth science problems.
• Competency in data acquisition (including field and laboratory skills), and data processing, analysis, modelling, interpretation and presentation that permit the successful pursuit of pure or applied problems in Earth science and physical geography.
• Knowledge and skills to process and interpret large, complex datasets, to hypothesis set and test, and to function as a numerate, literate scientist able to prove insight and guidance related to real-world problems and issues.
• Knowledge and skills to collect, analyse, synthesise, summarise and inter-relate diverse processes and facts, to formulate and test hypotheses and reach conclusions.
• Profound knowledge and understanding making intelligible Earth science and physical geography research frontiers in selected areas chosen by the student in honours year(s).
• Understanding of the limits of present knowledge and limitations of present data on important geoscientific issues and controversies.

These outcomes are ensured through a combination of field, lecture, laboratory and tutorial classes and a diverse range of assessment throughout all years of the programme. Years 1 and 2 provide a foundation to the broad disciplines of Earth science and physical geography, how we interact with it, and Earth???s fundamental components. During these years students can also take a range of optional courses from across the University. Year 3 provides skills in research design that prepare students for independent research as well as subject-specific expertise through optional courses according to students??? interest. Year 4 allows students to transition to the level of a professional geoscientist, taking a range of optional courses from across the GeoSciences, whilst also conducting a large independent research project.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

• Collect and synthesise evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources;
• Evaluate and critique published research literature;
• Formulate scientific arguments and hypotheses to address questions critically and analytically;
• Create a new understanding of a topic through independent research in the final year dissertation;
• Communicate research findings with clarity and logic in a variety of different media.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

• Organise and understand complex and interdisciplinary data;
• Summarise, interpret and critique the work of others in order to reach conclusions;
• Formulate, investigate and discuss current issues in Earth science and physical geography;
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a range of field, classroom and laboratory settings;
• Manage their time to complete multiple projects and meet deadlines;
• Display creativity, flexibility and adaptability in solving problems.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

• Formulate a coherent written, electronic or oral presentation on the basis of material gathered independently on a given topic;
• Express clear and coherent ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing and in electronic media;
• Communicate research effectively to specialists and non-specialists through a variety of mediums;
• Develop oral presentation and participation skills during seminars and group work, and in written form through online e-learning tools, dissertations and essays.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

• Collaborate efficiently and productively with others in the process of learning and presenting conclusions ??? this includes those with a range of backgrounds and knowledge, such as fellow students, tutors and supervisors;
• Organise their own learning, manage workload and work to a timetable;
• Effectively plan, and possess the confidence to undertake and to present scholarly work that demonstrates an understanding of the aims, methods and theoretical considerations relevant to Earth Science and Physical Geography; and
• Work independently on the creation of essays, research-based dissertations, reports and posters using the standards current in the academic field of Earth Sciences and Geography.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

• Identify a range of rocks, fossils and minerals;
• Interpret geological and geomorphological information;
• Use geographical information systems and digital elevation models;
• Use appropriate resources (library, internet) for information/data retrieval;
• Read and write computer code;
• Communicate their science via reports and oral presentations.
• Process complex geo-data sets and use modern computer and numerical techniques to process, visualise and model data;
• Combine, integrate and process complex and diverse data sets;
• Assess uncertainty in data and deal with sparse and incomplete datasets.

• Identify rocks, minerals, fossils and geological structures in the field and understand their significance;
• Observe, record and interpret original field data to produce 3D models of an area and build an understanding of its geological and geomorphological history;
• Produce geological field maps, cross-sections, rock-relation diagrams and 3D block diagrams;
• Produce field notes to reinforce observations and support interpretations;
• Use surface geological and geomorphological information to infer structures at depth.

Programme structure and features

• Entry requirements, including requirements for second-year entry where applicable
• Progression requirements
• An explanation of the articulation of learning outcomes and assessment practices
• Modes of study
• Exit awards available at the completion of specific stages of the programme

• social and civic responsibility
• sustainability
• equality and diversity.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Assessment methods and strategies

• Abstract writing
• Essay writing
• Written examinations
• Practical class work
• Field notebooks
• Laboratory records
• Interactive computer assignments
• Seminar presentations
• Poster and oral presentations
• Field-based projects
• Short reports
• Group work
• Dissertation (Honours years)

Career opportunities

Graduates of the current Geology and Physical Geography programme are employed across sectors, from academic and teaching careers to direct employment in industry, consultancies, government and local authorities. Career subjects are diverse, including education and the energy / natural resources sector, governmental and non-governmental environmental agencies (land and water management, risk and hazard management), but also information technology and finance. A significant proportion of our graduates choose to pursue further research and academic careers with MSc and PhD programmes around the world.

Other items

Delivery of this programme is overseen by an external examiner who has insight into the exams and dissertations, can meet students, attends Board of Examiners meetings and, at several opportunities throughout the academic year, provides direct feedback to teaching staff. The external examiner is also in regular contact with the degree programme convener.

Course delivery is monitored via student questionnaires, and twice/semester student reps give feedback directly to the course organisers (via the degree coordinator) at student-staff liaison committee meetings. 

Students can apply to spend their 3rd year at one of the many overseas Universities that are part of the University???s International Exchange Scheme.