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2017/18 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Geophysical Sciences

Programme code:BS-GPUCAS code:F640
Duration:3 Years Method of Attendance: Full Time
Programme manager:Dr Stephen Stackhouse Contact address:s.stackhouse@see.leeds.ac.uk

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Normally two A-Levels at grades AB in Mathematics and Physics in addition to one further A-level, or two AS-levels, at grade B, excluding General Studies.

International Baccalaureate: Normally 32 points overall, with 16 at the Higher Level.

Scottish Highers: Normally ABBBB, including Mathematics and Physics.

Other Qualifications (Access to HE Diploma, BTEC etc): Please refer to our website or email us.

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Earth and Environment

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

School of Earth and Environment

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Programme specification:

The programme will allow students to:
- be educated across the full range of Geophysical Sciences, encouraging and enabling students to acquire a good background in university-level geology, physics and mathematics.
- be trained in computational and field techniques
- develop investigative and communication skills
- gain a good foundation for those who will embark on careers as professional geophysicists
- access a course of sufficient breadth and intellectual training to suit the needs of those who will eventually work outside the subject area

The degree programme is accredited by the Geological Society. Graduates from an accredited course gain fast-track progression towards obtaining Chartered Geologist status, which is the key professional qualification for a career in some commercial spheres of employment.

The programme fulfils national subject benchmark criteria in terms of:
- developing a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach to Earth systems, an holistic view of the materials, structure, processes and interactions of the Earth's core, mantle, crust, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
- developing an understanding of major geoscience paradigms including uniformitarianism, geological time and plate tectonics and an appreciation of relevant temporal and spatial scales
- allowing students to become equipped with Earth science terminology and nomenclature, and the skills to identify and for the classification of Earth materials
- providing methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing field and laboratory data with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use, including the collection and documentation of geophysical and geological field data, for production and interpretation of geological maps
- enabling students to develop an awareness of issues concerning the exploration, development, exploitation, sustainability and different value sets relating to Earth resources; to contribute to informed debate on aspects of Earth science including human impacts on the environment and the impacts of geohazards on human societies; to appreciate the contribution of the subject to the development of knowledge and its applicability to the world of work

The strengths of the degree programme here in Leeds include:
a) a learning experience within an environment of active research (grade 5 RAE status)
b) strong theoretical and applied themes developed through the three-year programme
c) well-developed quantitative, computational and mathematical skills compared with most other similar courses nationally
d) independent field work and project work
e) extensive communication, employment-related and team skills development
f) opportunity to include an industrial placement year
g) focus on the programme providing a 3-year preparation for postgraduate research or taught Masters programmes
h) flexible part-time study option, the order in which modules are to be taken being by individual arrangement between the student and the programme convener.


Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

PHYS1231Introductory Physics (Geophysics)15 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS1250Vibrations and Waves (Geophysics)10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE1150Fundamentals of Geophysics10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE1155Geophysics Tutorial Module5 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE1160Computers and Programming in Geosciences10 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE1311Advanced Mathematics for Environmental and Geophysical Scientists10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE1575Geology 1 for Geophysicists20 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE1580Geology 230 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates WITHOUT A level Further or Pure Maths are required to study the following module.

Students WITH A Level Pure or Further Maths may be required to study, or may be excluded from studying this module depending on units studied and grade, and should consult the Programme and Module Leaders for advice.

SOEE1301Intermediate Mathematics for Environmental and Geophysical Scientists
Pre-requisite for: SOEE1311
10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Discovery modules:

Candidates who are excluded from taking SOEE1301 are required to take a 10 credit Discovery module. In particular, we recommend SOEE1034.

SOEE1034Natural Hazards10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)


Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

SOEE2040Mathematics for Geophysical and Environmental Sciences 310 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2050Deformation Processes10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE2190Time Series Analysis and Digital Signal Processing10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2212Tectonophysics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE2250Numerical Methods and Statistics10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2550Applied Geophysics30 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE2660Mathematics for Geophysical and Environmental Sciences 410 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules.

Students who take SOEE2500 cannot also take SOEE2620.

MATH2620Fluid Dynamics 110 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
PHYS1240Quantum Physics and Relativity (Geophysics)10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
PHYS2340Electromagnetism (Geophysics)10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2062Sedimentary Processes10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2110Introductory Oceanography10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2160Climate Change: Science and Impacts10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2210Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE2355Energy Transitions: Technologies, Markets and Policy10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE2500Petroleum Reservoir Engineering10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE2600Sedimentary Basins and Hydrocarbon Resources10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE2620Explosive Volcanism: Processes, deposits and resources10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)


Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

SOEE3058Independent Geophysical Project40 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE3200Practical Geophysics10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3221Research Seminars in Geophysics10 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE3250Inverse Theory10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3260Global Seismology10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3530Global Geophysics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules.

SOEE3060Advanced Sedimentology and its Applications10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3135Engineering Geology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3171Volcanic Processes10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3190Earth Observations from Space10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3281Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3350Geoelectrics10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3450Structural Geology10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)
SOEE3500Basin Dynamics and Petroleum Systems10 creditsSemester 1 (Sep to Jan)
SOEE3521Earth and Environmental Sciences into Schools10 creditsSemesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun)
SOEE3630Strategic Energy Issues10 creditsSemester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Last updated: 28/04/2017

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