Earth Sciences (MSci)

Your first year introduces the scientific foundations needed to study Earth Sciences.

You’ll explore:

• dynamic processes on Earth, including the formation of rocks and minerals, and plate tectonics
• how Earth and ocean systems and environments function, and the processes controlling them
• the relationships between life on Earth, the biogeochemical processes essential to support life and the evolution of Earth systems through time
• putting theory into practice through laboratory and fieldwork 
• foundational scientific literacy and research skills

You’ll also begin developing core practical and analytical skills through laboratory work, data interpretation and field-based learning.

In year 2, you’ll deepen your understanding of Earth processes and begin to shape your own pathway through the course.

Core modules focus on topics such as:

• how to identify, monitor and map geohazards (including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, and climate change) and assess their risk 
• the geochemical processes that operate within the Earth and ocean system 
• the importance of sediments in a range of environmental settings
• advanced fieldwork and geological research skills

You’ll then choose from a range of optional modules that may include:

• structural geology, and the techniques used when working with structural data 
• the science of climate change, and its impacts on Earth and ocean systems 
• palaeobiology and evolution
• measurement, analysis and modelling of oceans and coasts
• sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, and environmental policy
• the quantitative skills used by modern ocean, climate and Earth scientists, including geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, modelling, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• geophysics and exploration methods

This flexibility allows you to begin specialising while still maintaining a broad interdisciplinary understanding of Earth Sciences.

Year 3 focuses on applying your knowledge to more complex scientific and environmental problems.

You’ll study how Earth resources contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable future and undertake your choice of substantial mapping or research training projects.

You can also choose from a wide range of specialist modules covering areas such as:

• the application of the geoscience principles you’ve learned to solve environmental and engineering problems
• volcanic and mantle processes, with an optional residential field class in Tenerife
• hands-on geophysical surveying, including on-site field training in South Wales 
• the evolution of the Earth, and Earth systems modelling
• climate change in the past, present and future, from physical and human perspectives
• ocean and biogeochemical processes
• the sustainable management of Earth’s resources 
• environmental hazards, pollution and radioactivity
• the computational data analysis techniques used in ocean and Earth science
• seafloor exploration and surveying using our purpose-built survey vessel

Some optional modules include residential fieldwork and practical surveying activities.

The final year of the MSci Earth Sciences course is designed around advanced research and specialist scientific training. This year's modules feature more content focused around cutting-edge research and real-work application, often delivered by guest lecturers.

You’ll complete either an advanced independent research project or an industry-partnered project, investigating a complex Earth science problem using advanced analytical approaches.

Alongside your project, you’ll study contemporary scientific topics and specialist analytical methods through advanced modules.

Depending on your choices, you may study areas such as:

• practical skills from field survey through to advanced techniques in exploration geophysics
• the relationships between climate change, geological processes and human interaction with the Earth
• coastal processes and change, and engineering in and managing dynamic environments
• the knowledge and practical skills to tackle the big challenges related to the planet, including climate change, sustainable resource management and exploration, and carbon capture
• ocean processes and biogeochemical cycles

This final stage of the course prepares you for research-intensive careers, specialist scientific roles and doctoral study.