BSc
Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons)
Gain the knowledge you need to understand how to manage the Earth, her resources and the environment, and develop the skills to embark on a career in the environmental sector.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
F630
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
Overview
Environmental Geoscience is a topical and growing area of study as society increasingly acknowledges the risks of deteriorating environmental conditions to the planet and navigates solutions to protect its future. This BSc connects Earth’s resources with humanity’s response to some of today’s global challenges such as climate change, sustainability and pollution. Our flexible degree puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as you progress through the degree, allowing you to choose a pathway of most interest to you. Combining academic excellence, cutting-edge research and links to industry, the course will equip you with the tools needed for employment in a range of sectors, including environmental management, water management, energy, mining and geotechnics, or for further study or research. You may be able to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences at the end of your second year. The fourth year combines a bespoke research project in your specialism, with advanced modules designed to integrate your Earth Science knowledge for vocational and/or research applications. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BSc
UCAS Code
F630
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
What you'll study
In the first year, you will develop a fundamental understanding of Earth sciences, field skills, remote sensing and data analysis. Year 2 specialises more in environmental aspects, during which you will develop your knowledge of fieldwork, laboratory techniques, sedimentology and climate. In Year 3, you will undertake a research dissertation and also experience working in small groups on an environmental management project of your choice.
Core modules
-
Environmental Earth Science
coversthe Earth’s water cycle in terms of both quantity and quality. You will learn about the composition and materials of the Earth, the mode of formation, distribution and extraction of the Earth's resources and energy.
-
Field Studies
explores techniques for description and interpretation of natural geological features. This module also covers mapping skills, and the observation, recording and processing techniques needed for fieldwork and imagery.
-
Introductory Data Science
introduces the fundamentals of data acquisition and analysis in a geoscientific context. You will learn how to apply computational tools to manipulate and visualise a range of scientific and geospatial data.
-
Sustainability
introduces global issues and concepts around sustainability, with an emphasis on aspects most relevant to Earth Sciences such as water, climate, energy and mineral resources, food resources, and natural hazards, and is thematically taught around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
-
Understanding Earth Sciences
covers an introduction to the areas of petrology, sedimentology, structural geology and palaeontology and relates the processes to the plate tectonic cycle.
Optional modules
-
In recent years optional modules have included: Mathematical Methods in GeosciencesFurther Mathematics for Geoscientists
Core modules
-
Fieldwork (Environmental)
introduces the principles of laboratory and field investigations to prepare you for further research in your final-year dissertation.
-
Isotopes and Climate
examineshowstable isotopes can be used in understanding modern environment and climate systems, and in describing major events in the Earth's climate evolution. The module covers human impact on the global climate and how to understand and analyse future climate change predictions.
-
Sedimentary Environments
covers the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks and application of the techniques used to analyse these processes and a variety of environments.
Optional modules
-
In recent years optional modules have included: Structural Geology and TectonicsGeophysical Methods for GeoscientistsIgneous and Metamorphic ProcessesModelling Earth ProcessesAncient Life and its EnvironmentFrontiers in PalaeontologyEarth System and Climate: The QuaternaryEarth System and Climate: Long Term Processes
Core modules
-
Dissertation
Worth one-third of your final-year marks, you will produce an independent research based on a computing, field or laboratory project chosen to suit your interests.
-
Environmental Geochemistry
introduces a range of pollutants and their behaviour in the environment. It covers a range of common pollution problems and solutions for controlling pollutant movement in the environment, as well as waste and water management.
-
Environmental Management
covers environmental economics and impact assessment through a range of UK case studies on water quality management practices and treatment technologies, flood risk and management, and air quality control.
Optional modules
-
In recent years optional modules have included: Polar Quaternary Environmental ProcessesHabitable Environments (Astrobiology)Groundwater HydrologyAtmospheric Circulation and DynamicsMonitoring the Oceans: Geohazards and Climate ChangeTectonic Processes and Renewable Geo-resourcesVolcanology and MagmatismEarth Sciences into SchoolsWestern Alps Fieldtrip (Anatomy of a Subduction Zone)Earthquake Sources and WavesGeochemistry of the Earth
Learning
The course is delivered via lectures, practical classes, tutorials and fieldwork. The balance changes over the degree, as you develop your knowledge and your ability as an independent learner in preparation for professional life or postgraduate study. There are specialist field courses in the UK and abroad throughout your studies. In Year 1, lectures and practicals dominate the timetable. You are also expected to undertake your own independent study to prepare for your classes and broaden your subject knowledge. The balance starts to shift in the second year, with greater emphasis on self-directed learning and an opportunity to practice research methods. In the final year, you will carry out a dissertation, producing a significant piece of independent research.Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, class tests and end-of-year examinations. A significant proportion of your final assessment will be through your environmental geoscience research dissertation in Year 3. The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of subject-specific knowledge, alongside transferable skills in mathematics, scientific writing, informatics, policy, critical analysis and project management.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£ per year
International / EU Students
£ per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - £ per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - £ per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
-
Earth Sciences is the holistic study of the planet from the core to the surface, its water and the surrounding atmosphere. Durham is one of the UK’s leading providers of Earth Sciences education. We offer six undergraduate courses, four of which are accredited by The Geological Society of London. Our courses explore the full geological spectrum including climate change, oceans, mass extinctions, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, and the structure and chemistry of the Earth. Our multidisciplinary approach applies physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and physical geography to real world scenarios to make sense of today's major geoscience concerns. Course structures are flexible with a balance of formal teaching, fieldwork and active learning to put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You can tailor your degree to your interests through the wide range of optional modules and you may also be able to spend a year studying abroad, extending your degree by a year. All our degree courses are informed by the latest pure and applied research, and you can be sure your education is in sync with the latest thinking and will help you on your journey to a profession in the Earth Sciences sector and beyond. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
Our teaching takes place in the modern, purpose-built Arthur Holmes Building, located on the main University Mountjoy campus, close to other departments, colleges, the Bill Bryson library and the Teaching and Learning Centre.
-
Industry standard software
We use industry-standard and research-level software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Python and Matlab), and if your dissertation or research project involves laboratory study, you can access our world-class geochemistry and rock mechanics labs.
-
Field trips
Throughout your course you can have the opportunity to develop observation and analytical skills on residential field trips to study mountains, deserts, volcanoes, faults and fossils.
-
Modern equipment
We are equipped with brand new optical microscopes and a large teaching collection of rocks, fossils, geological maps, and thin sections.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23:
90%
93%
£34,095
Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after Graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
We place research-led teaching at the centre of our programmes because we want you to be at the forefront of knowledge generation in the 21st century. Our undergraduates will lead the fight against the major geoscience problems we face as a society.
Your next steps
Visit an Open Day
When deciding on whether Durham is right for you we recommend to visit us during an Open Day, where you can find out about everything we offer.
Get a prospectus
Be informed. Get your personalised prospectus in just a few clicks.
Discover student life at Durham
See what student life in Durham is all about from those who know it best - our students
