DPT: Earth Sciences (MEarthSci Hons) - 5 Years (Full-time) (UTMESESCIE1F)

Jump to: Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5

Year 1 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: September

Compulsory courses

The Dynamic Earth

Earth Sciences for Society

Geology and Landscapes

Earth Science Data Analysis 1

Must be taken during Semester 2

Course options

Students can take a maximum of 40 credits Level 7 language courses in 1st AND 2nd year (combined)

AND

Challenge Courses are designed to bring together students from different degree programmes to explore the complex issues facing the world today through interdisciplinary collaboration and creative thinking.

Working with each other and expert academics, students will gain new perspectives and develop important life skills highly valued by employers, such as teamwork, problem-solving and adaptability.

Our Changing World

Sustainability and Social Responsibility (UG)

Sustainable Development Goals: History, Progress and Beyond 2030

Living in the Anthropocene

Understanding Gender in the Contemporary World

Healthy Eating for People and Planet

Year 2 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: August

Students continuing into Year 2 of the programme should take all compulsory courses plus select an option from Group A.

Direct entry students to Year 2 of the programme MUST take the compulsory courses plus The Dynamic Earth in Semester 1. There are no optional courses for students in this group.

Compulsory courses

Earth Materials: From atoms to planets

Earth Science Data Analysis 2

Rock Forming Processes

Introduction to Geophysics

Field Skills for Earth Sciences

Course options

Our Changing World

Sustainability and Social Responsibility (UG)

Sustainable Development Goals: History, Progress and Beyond 2030

Living in the Anthropocene

Understanding Gender in the Contemporary World

Healthy Eating for People and Planet

Direct Entry students MUST take this option.

The Dynamic Earth

Year 3 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: August

Please note that student are permitted to take 20 credits in semester 2 rather than semester 1, but should consider the workload of having 80 credits in semester 2 (including fieldtrip).

Compulsory courses

Igneous, Metamorphic and Ore Processes

Sedimentology, Climate and Tectonics

Co-evolution of Life and Earth

Structural Geology and Tectonics

Advanced Field Skills for Earth Science

Course options

Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology

Applied Hydrogeology and Near Surface Geophysics

Glacial Processes and Geomorphology

Eroding Landscapes: Mountains, Hills and Rivers

Modelling of Systems for Sustainability

Please note that student are permitted to take 20 credits in semester 2, but should consider the workload of having 80 credits in semester 2 (including fieldtrip).

Please note that places are limited for EASC10100 and MSc students get priority for places.

Topics in Palaeobiology and Evolution

Nuclear Waste Management: Principles, Policies and Practice

Changing Marine Biogeochemical Cycles

Hydrogeology 2: Simulation of Groundwater Flow and Transport

Planetary Science

Topics in Global Change

Ice and Climate

Volcanoes, Environment and People

Global Hydrology

Self-Designed Learning (10 credits; SCQF level 10; GeoSciences)

Year 4 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: August

The Earth Sciences degree is currently undergoing a restructure. The courses listed below are likely to change.

Compulsory courses

Geology Dissertation

Formation and Evolution of Continents

Frontiers in Research

Evolution of the Modern Earth and Cyprus Excursion for Geologists

Course options

Hydrocarbon Reservoir Quality

Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology

Geoscience Outreach and Engagement

Ore Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry

Igneous Petrogenesis

Topics in Palaeobiology and Evolution

Applied Hydrogeology and Near Surface Geophysics

Nuclear Waste Management: Principles, Policies and Practice

Changing Marine Biogeochemical Cycles

Geological Evolution of the British Isles

Hydrogeology 2: Simulation of Groundwater Flow and Transport

Planetary Science

Sustainable Subsurface Energy

Topics in Global Change

Glacial Processes and Geomorphology

Ice and Climate

Eroding Landscapes: Mountains, Hills and Rivers

Volcanoes, Environment and People

Global Hydrology

Self-Designed Learning (10 credits; SCQF level 10; GeoSciences)

Modelling of Systems for Sustainability

Seismic Reflection Interpretation

Subsurface Reservoir Quality

Principles and Practice of Remote Sensing

Spatial Modelling and Analysis

Polar Oceans: Science and Policy

Year 5 Academic year: 2025/26, Starting in: August

The Earth Sciences degree is currently undergoing a restructure. The courses listed below are likely to change.

In order to progress into the 5th year of the MEarthSci, students must achieve an average of 60% or more over the 3rd and 4th year combined. Boards of Examiners will consider cases of progression for students who are borderline (i.e. achieve between 58% and 59.99% average across their 3rd and 4th years), taking into account the same factors for progression which are taken into account for other progression, award or classification decisions. Borderline criteria used by Boards of Examiners are published to students in advance.