Environmental Geoscience with a Year in Industry
Swansea University
UCAS Code: F769 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Swansea University
UCAS Code: F769 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
including Geography or related subject
Access to HE (Science or Humanities): Pass with Distinction (27-24 Distinctions to include 3 in Geography or an appropriate subject, plus 15 Merits)
We recognise the EPQ as an excellent indicator of success. If you are predicted a grade B or above in the EPQ, you will receive an offer with a one grade reduction, to include your EPQ with a grade B.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include 5 in Higher Level Geography
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Plus A-Level Grade B in Geography or a related subject
Scottish Higher
To include Grade B in Geography (or related subject)
Swansea University accepts the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales as fully equivalent to x1 A-Level.
Requirements are as for A-Levels where you can substitute the same non-specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Level core Grade
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Explore the Earth’s geographical and geological history and investigate the processes that have shaped the earth for millions of years. You will study topics like natural hazards, glaciology, and environmental change in order to develop an understanding of how humans have become agents of environmental change. From investigating the physical processes that shape our planet, to the environmental changes that have occurred over hundreds of millions of years environmental geoscience is a fascinating and highly topical subject.
You will gain skills in technical and scientific subjects such as geology, climate science, glaciology, volcanology and satellite monitoring of environmental change. In Year 3 you will spend a Year in Industry where you will have the opportunity to to gain valuable skills and experiences which will further boost your student experience and employment prospects.
Our Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) accredited BSc in Environmental Geosciences explores topics that overlap with subjects such as geophysics, climatology, meteorology and earth science. You will focus on the analysis of different physical environments here in the UK and on our international field courses, including coastal, volcanic, island and tectonic environments. You’ll also spend a week in Germany in your third year, studying ancient volcanic environments.
You’ll have access to specialist labs and field equipment to carry out project work, as well as our field kit ‘library’ where students can borrow waterproofs, boots and outdoor gear.
We are ideally placed to offer exceptional fieldwork opportunities. Just a short drive from the UK's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Gower Peninsula, you will have easy access to Bannau Brycheiniog, rural west Wales and the urban and industrial landscapes of South Wales. You'll also have an opportunity to carry out fieldwork overseas in Austria, Malaysian Borneo, Mallorca or Vancouver.
Through this degree with a Year in Industry, you will explore cutting-edge issues such as understanding and living with natural hazards, glacial environments and processes and restructuring quaternary environmental change.
You will be taught in our £4.2m state-of-the-art Science laboratories, in a vibrant and friendly department. You'll have access to our high-performance computer lab for processing and interpreting satellite Earth observation and GIS data, a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer, a climatic test chamber, mineral magnetic characterisation equipment and an automatic organic carbon analyser.
Please come along to our next Open Day or get in touch for further information.** Book an Open Day here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/our-open-days/.
Modules
Typically, in Year 1 you'll study several compulsory modules covering topics such as global environmental change, Earth in action, Earth science in the field and Earth's changing face. You will then choose from optional modules covering geographical skills and methods, writing skills and personal development planning and practical field projects, and topics such as sustainability and geology.
Typically in Year 2, you'll study compulsory topics such as Earth history and geological record of past environments. You'll then choose from a range of optional modules covering data analysis, approaches to physical geography and environmental research methods, and topics such as geographic information systems, glacial environments and processes, the Earth from Space, quaternary environmental change, global vegetation patterns and dynamics and urban modelling. You'll also have an opportunity to take part in an overseas field trip.
In Year 3, you'll spend a minimum of 40 weeks in an industrial placement in a UK company. Occasionally, opportunities may arise outside of the UK. You'll receive support from our placements team during your 2nd year to help you prepare for and secure a relevant industrial placement.
In Year 4, you'll undertake your dissertation and choose from a range of optional modules which have previously included topics such as glaciology, humid tropical environments and landscapes, meteorology and atmospheric science, plate tectonics and global geophysics, environmental modelling and the climate of the last 1,000 years.
Assessment methods
On the BSc Physical Earth Science course you will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical classes and field classes. You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including examinations, coursework, practical work, fieldwork and continuous assessment from tutorials. You will also complete a dissertation in your final year.
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Earth sciences
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