What happens inside a volcano? How can we forecast earthquakes? Why do we experience extreme weather and can we control it? How do different cultures approach these subjects? 

Explore geophysics at an advanced level in the context of the entire earth system. You’ll study the Earth’s many processes, from the seas and skies to the deep interior, and learn about the way they control our environment. You’ll have the choice of a significant range of modules thanks to our diverse expertise, with a particularly strong emphasis on geophysical hazards. Plus you’ll spend a year living and studying at one of our partner universities in Australasia, North America or Europe. 

This is a highly desirable four-year degree due to the varied skills you’ll develop, as well as the many industrial, governmental and academic applications of the subject. 

ABOUT

This four-year course will inspire a lifelong interest, knowledge and understanding of the way the Earth works. You’ll explore how the whole Earth system and its interactions control our environment and will develop an understanding of the issues that threaten our future. 

As part of this degree programme you’ll have the opportunity to spend your third year studying and living abroad with one of our university exchange partners in Australasia, North America or Europe. Going to a university in another country is an unmissable opportunity to experience other cultures and lifestyles and will give you the opportunity to study within a department where different aspects of geophysics are taught. 

During your course you’ll study mathematical techniques and gain the skills necessary to analyse the physical environment. You’ll develop a critical awareness of issues at the frontier of research, along with a comprehensive understanding of research methods and their limitations. You’ll learn self-direction and originality in applying knowledge, solving problems and conducting research. 

You’ll get involved in a significant amount of fieldwork in many different geological environments. During your field course you’ll learn to use a variety of technological equipment and techniques, including seismic and gravity investigations, magnetic and electrical measurements, and ground-penetrating radar surveys. 

Our geophysics degrees are run jointly by the School of Environmental Sciences and the School of Mathematics, and in collaboration with the School of Computing Sciences. So you’ll benefit from a broad choice of subject material and have the chance to specialise in your field of interest to an advanced level. You can tailor your degree towards geological geophysics, geohazards, meteorology and climatology, or oceanography – or study a combination of them all. 

When you graduate, you’ll be highly employable, with a wide range of skills that are highly prized by employers. Many of our graduates have gone on to work for local and multinational companies within sectors including geophysical exploration and services, geotechnical engineering, risk analysis and environmental consultancy. 

ACCREDITATION

This course has been accredited by the Geological Society of London. This accreditation status provides added assurance to prospective students that the course content and structure has been approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists and that the teaching is of the highest quality. An accredited degree will reduce the amount of post-graduation experience you will require to apply for Chartered Geologist and Chartered Scientist. A professional geoscientist holding an accredited degree is eligible to apply for Chartered status one year earlier than those with unaccredited degrees. Those holding two accredited degrees (e.g. BSc and MSc) can apply two years earlier. 

In order to receive the award of an accredited degree, students are required to follow an accredited pathway – this is something that your adviser and course director will be able to advise you on. The accredited pathway requires students to take some particular modules and also requires the student to undertake a certain amount of field work (partly achieved by taking the required modules and partly by undertaking some fieldwork for the final year project). 

The current accreditation is for a six-year period, from April 2018. We expect to apply for renewal at the end of this period. For more information about the Geological Society, accreditation and Chartered status see the Geological Society website. 

PLACEMENT YEAR AND STUDY ABROAD

On this course you’ll spend a year of your studies in Australasia, Europe or North America, giving you the chance to experience a whole new culture. You’ll also be able to study a different range of topics, learn a new language and develop useful contacts for your future career. Currently we have students at: 

• University of Sydney 

• University of Wollongong 

• Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 

• University of British Columbia, Vancouver 

• University of Calgary 

• Western University, Canada 

• Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 

• University of Colorado, Boulder 

• University of Hawaii 

• University of Oregon 

• University of Utah 

• University of Granada, Spain 

AFTER THE COURSE

After graduating you could follow in the footsteps of past graduates and go into sectors such as water management, resource exploration, geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, environmental consultancy, hazard management or teaching. Alternatively you could continue your studies with a PhD. 

To get your career off to the best start, our Careers Service run annual Environmental Science events. These include alumni-led presentations and workshops across a range of sectors, including industry, government and academia. 

CAREER DESTINATIONS

Examples of careers that you could enter include; 

• Water management 

• Resource exploration 

• Geotechnical engineering 

• Risk analysis 

• Environmental consultancy 

• Hazard management