Geology with Physical Geography BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

The Geology with Physical Geography BSc (Hons) program at the University of Liverpool offers a comprehensive understanding of the Earth's surface system, combining the study of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes that shape landscapes and influence environmental change. The program emphasizes the connections between landscape evolution, environmental change, and their impact on human activity, equipping students with skills for careers in Earth Sciences, engineering, and environmental sectors.

Program Outline

It explores the dynamic interplay of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes that shape landscapes and influence environmental change. The program emphasizes the connections between landscape evolution, environmental change, and natural events that impact human activity.

Objectives:

• To provide a comprehensive understanding of surface and near-surface processes relevant to various industrial, engineering, and environmental sectors.
• To equip students with specific practical skills necessary for a career in Earth Sciences.
• To develop transferable life-skills and independent thinking.
• To foster a deep understanding of the controlling processes that link landscape evolution with environmental change.

Outline:

Year One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Experiments in Physical Geography (ENVS120): This module uses laboratory experiments to explore fundamental physical, biological, and chemical processes in physical geography, focusing on human-environment interactions.
• Introduction to Field Geology (ENVS109): This field module provides basic training in field techniques and practical experience working with various rock types and tectonic structures.
• Introduction to Structural Geology and Geological Maps (ENVS156): This module introduces structural geology and geological mapping, covering geological structures, stress and strain analysis, and the interpretation of geological maps.
• Study Skills and GIS (Earth Science) (ENVS101): This module introduces key skills for success in Earth Science, including academic integrity, exam skills, employability, and GIS.
• Theory and Laboratory Experiments in Earth Surfaces Processes (ENVS165): This module explores fundamental physical and chemical processes underlying physical geography through lectures and laboratory-based problem-solving.
• Earth Materials (ENVS185): This module introduces rock-forming minerals and critical raw materials, focusing on their environments of formation, occurrence, and societal significance.
• Optional Modules:
• Environmental Chemistry (ENVS153): This module introduces the fundamental properties of elements and matter in the context of environmental sciences.
• Living with Environmental Change (ENVS119): This module examines global challenges related to climate and environmental change, exploring sustainability and human impacts on the environment.
• Essential Mathematical Skills (ENVS117): This module provides a foundation in mathematics for students without a strong background in the subject.
• Fieldwork:
• 1 day in North England (October)
• 8 days in Pembrokeshire (Easter)
• 2 days in NW England/Wales

Year Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Applied Geophysics (ENVS216): This module introduces the principles and applications of various geophysical methods used for exploration purposes.
• Geomorphology: Ice, Sea and Air (ENVS252): This module explores the major geomorphic systems and how they create terrestrial landforms, focusing on glacial, aeolian, and coastal geomorphology.
• Research Skills (Earth Science) (ENVS200): This module develops research skills essential for the dissertation project, covering IT skills, data representation, referencing, and project planning.
• Sedimentary Processes and Depositional Environments (ENVS219): This module teaches the fundamental principles of interpreting sedimentary stratigraphy and recognizing sedimentary textures.
• Field Mapping Techniques (ENVS293): This residential field class teaches techniques for assessing the 3D geological evolution of an area, including mapping exercises, notebook construction, and cross-section creation.
• Earth and Environmental Data Science (ENVS229): This module introduces fundamentals of Earth and environmental data science, covering data analysis and computational methods.
• Optional Modules:
• Catchment Hydrology (ENVS217): This module covers water above and below the land surface, its circulation, and distribution within drainage catchments.
• Changing Environments (ENVS214): This module examines global changes impacting the Earth, focusing on freshwater and coastal wetlands, and reconstructing past climatic and environmental conditions.
• Climatology (ENVS231): This module covers energy balance and transfer processes, clouds, rain formation, weather forecasting, and regional climates.
• Metamorphism and Crustal Evolution (ENVS212): This module provides a foundation in metamorphism, covering mineral formation, metamorphic textures, and plate tectonic phenomena.
• Soils, Slopes and the Environment (ENVS238): This module examines the properties and characteristics of slopes and soils, focusing on slope and soil forming processes and their relationship with the environment.
• Environmental Geophysics (ENVS258): This module builds on the theory of exploration geophysics, introducing practical experience, data analysis, and interpretation of field data.
• Fieldwork:
• 15 days in Scotland (Easter)
• 3 days in NW England/Wales

Year Three:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Field Project and Dissertation (ENVS354): This module involves an independent research project, with students planning and undertaking fieldwork or lab-based research in an area of their choosing.
• Fluvial Environments (ENVS372): This module examines fluvial geomorphology, focusing on fluvial processes, their dynamics, and controls on water and sediment flux.
• Geodynamics of the Mediterranean (ENVS368): This module bridges the gap between geodynamics and Earth surface processes, providing a perspective on combining these disciplines in the field.
• Optional Modules:
• GeoEnergy (ENVS337): This module provides a background to the GeoEnergy sector, focusing on fluid flow through geological structures and rock units.
• Climate Change - A Critical Review (ENVS389): This module examines climate change impacts on humans and ecosystems, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of climate modeling approaches.
• Natural Hazards and Society (ENVS319): This module provides an integrated perspective on natural hazards, their impacts on human societies, and mitigation and adaptation strategies.
• Simulating Environmental Systems (ENVS397): This module teaches students to write and use simple numerical models of environmental systems, including geomorphic, geophysical, oceanographic, and ecological models.
• The Living, Evolving Earth (ENVS320): This module examines long-term evolutionary patterns and the links between the evolution of life, climate, and environmental change.
• Fieldwork:
• 35 days field project and dissertation (in the summer between years two and three)
• 14 days in the Betics, Spain (Easter)
• 3-5 days in NW England

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module and may include:

• Written exams
• Practical laboratory and computer examinations
• Coursework submissions (essays, scientific papers, briefing notes, lab/field notebooks, reports, portfolios)
• Oral and poster presentations
• Contributions to group projects
• Problem-solving exercises

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, practicals, workshops, seminars, tutorials, and fieldwork.
• The program emphasizes learning through doing.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and research-level analytical equipment.
• Students are trained in industry-standard methods using materials donated by companies.
• The program has a strong fieldwork component, including residential field classes.
• Students receive regular feedback on their performance.

Careers:

• Graduates of the Geology with Physical Geography BSc (Hons) program are well-equipped for careers in various fields, including:
• Geological Surveys in the UK and abroad
• Hydrocarbon and support industries (ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Geotrace, Geokinetics, Neftex, Robertson, Deloitte, CGG, Osiris, PGS)
• Engineering and environmental consultancies (The Environment Agency, Environmental Resources Management, URS Corporation, Caulmert Ltd, VerdErg Renewables, RSK Geophysics, RSK Environment, Geomaterials, Fugro)
• Mining and related industries (Gold Fields, Rio Tinto, Cliffs Natural Resources, Geological Solutions, Hanson Aggregate Marine Ltd, Aggregate Industries)

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Geological Society of London, satisfying the requirements of Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status.
• The University of Liverpool has a very active Earth Sciences student society – The Herdman society.
• Students can choose to study a language as part of or alongside their degree.
• The program provides careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market, and strengthening networking skills.
• The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to provide tuition fee discounts and help with living expenses.

• UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385
• International fees
Full-time place, per year £27,200 Year abroad fee £13,600