BSc (Hons) Geology (Volcanology)

This course is based on the Single Honours Geology course combined with a range of compulsory volcanology modules. You will share the excitement of delving into the inner workings of volcanoes, from magma generation in the deep Earth to the amazing variety of volcanic eruptions, and learn about the effects of volcanoes on society from hazards to climate change. Geology examines global change over the whole history of our planet, and understanding these changes is relevant in our present time more than ever to ensure a sustainable future for the human population on Earth. You will learn about the fundamental processes shaping our planet, from the formation of minerals and rocks to the occurrence of natural resources. In our comprehensive and integrated fieldwork program, you will learn how to map and interpret geological features. Problem-solving laboratory classes will provide you with essential skills in identifying Earth materials and interpreting geological data as well as skills in communication and presentation

Year 1

• Minerals and Rocks
• Earth Structure
• Academic, Professional, and Fieldwork Skills
• Geoscience Data Interpretation, Analysis, and Visualisation
• The Earth System
• Climate Change: The Scientific and Societal Context
• Stratigraphy and Palaeontology

Year 2

• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
• Volcanoes and the Environment
• Employability Training: Engaging with the Workplace
• Field Skills
• Reconstructing Past Sedimentary Environments
• Environmental Analytical Methods
• Geochemistry

Year 3

• Volcanology – Independent Project
• Natural Hazards
• Volcanic and Magmatic Processes
• Frontiers in Volcanology

Optional Modules

• Global Environmental Change
• Economic Geology
• Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
• Structure and Geodynamics
• Hydrological and Engineering Geology

Employability

Our modern industrialized and technology-based society depends on geologists to find natural resources such as minerals, hydrocarbons, geothermal energy, metals, aggregates, and water, for designing and building foundations, tunnels, cuttings, and other engineering projects. Also, informing environmental projects such as radioactive waste disposal or carbon dioxide sequestration, and to understand the risks from natural hazards such as volcanoes.

With the subject-specific skills acquired during the course, you might choose to work in geological, geophysical, or environmental consultancy, in geological surveys, in construction, mining, in the energy sector, planning, insurance, or in academia.

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Exploration Geologist
• Geological Engineer
• Geoenvironmental Engineer
• Survey Geologist
• Geophysicist
• Volcanologist Geotechnical Engineer