Geoscience

Environmental geoscientists study the past and future interactions between the solid earth, the oceans and the biosphere. This provides the means to predict future behaviour of geosystems and informs those who develop environmental policy. Field-based practical work is at the core of our courses. There is also an exciting opportunity to spend your third year abroad. We teach in a beautiful neo-Gothic building, using state-of-the-art equipment. Our Single Honours courses are accredited by The Geological Society of London.

Geoscience courses

Why study Geoscience at Bristol?

Bristol Earth Science degrees are flexible and you can transfer between courses at the end of your first year. You can also choose a three- or four-year course. Our courses are rigorously scientific and quantitative, and you will learn a wealth of facts and how to apply them to solve problems. Our teaching methods include lectures, practicals and fieldwork. Small-group tutorials are held every fortnight, and you prepare work and complete problem sets for your tutor who will advise and monitor your progress throughout your time with us. You are set written examinations twice a year and in some units, coursework forms part of your assessed work.

Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences employs world-leading scientists and teaching is research led. Our expertise is in volcanology and fluid dynamics; palaeobiology and biodiversity; climate and environmental change; geochemistry and the deep earth. In the final year of an MSci course you will undertake a research project in one of these areas.

What kind of student would this course suit?

You will enjoy our Environmental Geoscience courses if you have a keen interest in the interactions between the solid earth, the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. Whilst we do not teach environmental policy, you will find yourself in a position to inform those who determine the future of the planet of the facts. You should also enjoy the outdoors and thus be able to take advantage of the variety of landscapes and climates we will take you to.

How is this course taught and assessed?

Our programmes are delivered through a timetabled schedule of lectures, laboratory-based practicals and organised field trips. Small-group tutorials provide development of key skills. Students are expected to develop independent learning skills and to self-assess their progress with the aid of feedback provided by teaching staff. Formal assessment may be wholly examination-based, wholly coursework-based or be a combination of assessed coursework and examination.

What are my career prospects?

Environmental Geoscience graduates are highly sought after by the mining, mineral exploration, geotechnical, environmental consultancy and petroleum industries. Some go on to further study in the field and then enter academia. Others follow careers in the scientific media, finance and teaching. The teamworking, quantitative, applied and problem-solving skills acquired by our graduates are all rated highly by other academic institutions and by other employers.