In this course, you will look at rocks, minerals, and fossils, how they were formed, how they can be exploited as a resource, and what they can tell us about the history of the Earth. You will also cover geological processes such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics.
Geology is a practical subject with applied problem-solving laboratory classes and field courses where you will learn how to interpret and map geological features, and explore future geological resources. We focus particularly on applied research skills: you will learn to collect, analyze and interpret different types of geological data, and to carry out your own research using specialist software and equipment. Furthermore, you will complete a comprehensive fieldwork program.
Year 1
- Minerals and Rocks
- Earth Structure
- Academic, Professional, and Fieldwork Skills
- Stratigraphy and Palaeontology
- Mechanics, Gravity, and Relativity
- Nature of matter
- Oscillations and Waves
- Electricity and Magnetism
Year 2
- Petrology
- Field Techniques
- Quantum Mechanics
- Optics and Thermodynamics
- Nuclear and Particle Physics
- Statistical Mechanics and Solid State Physics
Year 3
- Independent Fieldwork Project – ISP
- Electromagnetism
- Physics Project – ISP
OPTIONAL MODULES
- Natural Hazards
- Economic Geology
- Exploration Geophysics for the Hydrocarbon Industry
- Structure and Geodynamics
- Hydrological and Engineering Geology
- Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications
- Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
- The Science of Soil
- Binary Stars and Extrasolar Planets
- Data Analysis and Model Testing
- Particle Physics and Accelerators
- Cosmology
- Life in the Universe
- Quantum Mechanics II
- General Relativity, Black Holes, and Gravitational Waves
Employability
Modern society depends on geologists to find natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, minerals, metals, aggregates, and water. Geologists are needed for designing foundations, tunnels, and other engineering projects. You could go on to work in mining, the oil and gas industry, hydrogeology, or geotechnical engineering. Geologists are also required for environmental projects such as radioactive waste disposal or carbon dioxide capture and storage.
As part of a Combined Honours degree, Physics at Keele prepares you for many different careers. Employers value versatile, graduates who can analyze, investigate and communicate. You could take up roles as a research scientist, medical physicist, geophysicist, software engineer, or teacher; take on roles that are not directly related to physics such as in management or public services; or you might branch out to become a science writer, chartered accountant or IT, consultant. Many of our graduates go on to study for a master’s degree or perform research at a doctoral level.
Recent employers
- Base Energy Services Ltd
- Cyient
- GB Geotechnics Limited
- RSK
- Thomas Broadbent
- British Army
