University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Earth Sciences > Geophysics (MSci) > Specification
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Programme code | 2GELY021U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
James Wookey
|
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist. (http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/) |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups | Earth sciences, environmental sciences and environmental studies (2022) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Acquisition of knowledge and understanding is through a combination of lectures, supervised practicals, coursework, field work and ICT-based support materials. Throughout students are provided with, and encouraged/required to undertake independent learning through reading and field and class tasks, so as to consolidate and broaden their knowledge and understanding of the subject and their local environment. Level C/4 is a foundation level to provide a suitable learning environment for students without a background in geology. Levels I/5 and H/6 involve greater depth in knowledge and understanding coupled with an increasing role of independent learning. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Knowledge and understanding base is assessed via a combination of closed examinations and assessed coursework, class tests, coursework projects and presentations. Self-assessment of an individual's progress is encouraged through the provision of solutions to practical classes and self-led field tasks with solutions and ICT provision. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Cognitive skills are promoted through all parts of the teaching programme with analysis, synthesis and evaluation of topics and concepts, but these are gained particularly in Earth Sciences, via supervised and independent field classes. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Knowledge and understanding base is assessed via a combination of closed examinations and assessed coursework, class tests, coursework projects and presentations. Self-assessment of an individual's progress is encouraged through the provision of solutions to practical classes and self-led field tasks with solutions and ICT provision. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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Acquisition of subject-specific skills is through a combination of supervised practicals, coursework, field and project work. In addition students are provided with, and encouraged/required to undertake self-learning field tasks so as to consolidate and broaden their knowledge of the subject and their local environment. Promotion of key skills is through implicit and explicit approaches. Implicitly, all units promote high quality presentation of coursework, often involving integrated ICT and number skills assignments, and there are tutorial-led assignments involving written and oral presentations. Explicitly, there are separate units in computing and communications and quantitative skills that provide additional staff-led and self-learning support for to ensure a high level of proficiency in key skills. Professional/self-management skills are strongly promoted through the tutorial system. Students are encouraged to undertake self-analysis and reflection of their progress. This is integrated with the promotion of Personal Development Planning (PDP) providing the means for students to plan for their own personal development. These items are also integrated with Careers, Education and Information Guidance. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Knowledge and understanding base is assessed via a combination of closed examinations and assessed coursework, class tests, coursework projects and presentations. Self-assessment of an individual's progress is encouraged through the provision of solutions to practical classes and self-led field tasks with solutions and ICT provision. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
Students will be expected to have a sound and broad-based knowledge and understanding of the integrated manner of the working of Earth processes. To develop an introductory ability to apply their understanding of Earth systems to the natural world. They will gain a foundational understanding in the physics and mathematics required for later years. Work will be extensively directed by staff, but will have an introductory understanding of the need for self-evaluation and self-direction of learning. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
At Level I/5, students are expected to have developed a modern, solid foundation of subject specific skills underpinned by the interdisciplinary, scientific principles (quantitative, physicochemico) underlying Earth processes and observation methods. Students will be able to apply the principles more widely and undertake more in-depth analysis, and be able to communicate with others in a sound scientific manner. Students will be more at ease in being able to guide themselves in analysis of their own performance, and of setting and achieving their aims. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
At Level H/6, students will have an expanded range and depth of subject specific knowledge, through the study of core, and option units specific to their aims. Major independent work will have allowed students to become confident in the ability to collect, synthesis, and evaluate data, so as to be able to communicate and defend their own ideas and interpretation of the work. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
Most of the work undertaken at this level will be at, or informed by the latest research findings and concepts, and will provide an opportunity to work closely with the international research community within the Earth Sciences department. This will enable the student to be fully conversant with the principles of a research-led learning environment. Students will undertake planning, management and data collection for a research project, and communicate the results and interpretation in a mature manner to a scientific audience. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
For general undergraduate enquiries please e-mail earth-undergrad@bristol.ac.uk
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Students will be offered a blended educational experience with a mix of in person and online teaching. The in person teaching will consist of small group work, laboratory practicals and field work/alternative activities. To achieve the intended learning outcomes across the programme and to satisfy any accreditation requirements, students will be expected to undertake some in person teaching.
All units in this year are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Geology 1 | EASC10001 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Computing for Earth Scientists | EASC10007 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Introduction to Field Skills in Earth Sciences | EASC10008 | 10 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Core Physics I:Mechanics and Matter | PHYS10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves and Fields | PHYS10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Geophysics 1 | EASC10009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
All units in this year are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Structural Geology | EASC20006 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2D |
Sedimentology | EASC20007 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Atmospheric Processes | EASC20027 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Introduction to Field Mapping | EASC20029 | 10 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Mineralogy and Petrology | EASC20035 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Exploration Geophysics | EASC20048 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Numerical Methods and Programming | EASC20041 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Applied Geophysics | EASC20042 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2D |
Mapping, Tectonics and Remote Sensing | EASC20045 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Geophysics Research Project and Geodynamics are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Independent Project (Geophysical Site Survey) | EASC30089 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Geodynamics | EASC30080 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Volcanic Processes, Models and Hazards | EASC30083 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1B |
Select 40cp from: | ||||
Environmental Hydrogeology and Geoenergy | EASC30087 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Geophysics | EASC30085 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Magmatic Systems and Resources | EASC30082 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Oceans and Climates | EASC30071 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Radioactive Earth | EASC30084 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
BSc | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type II: Specialised or Advanced Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
All mandatory units in this year are must pass. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Advanced Earth Sciences Fieldwork | EASCM0051 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Frontiers in Earth Science | EASCM0061 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Earth Science Research Methods | EASCM0063 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Earth Science Research Project | EASCM0010 | 60 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Geophysics (MSci) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
The alternative classified honours degree of Science (Geophysics) (MSci) may be awarded on this programme. For further details please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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