2017/18 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

BSc Geological Sciences

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Normally three A-Levels, or 2 A-levels and 2 AS-levels, at grades AAB, including two of: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Physics. If Geography and Geology are taken together, another science is preferred as third subject. Excludes General Studies.

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

- Scottish Highers: Normally ABBBB.

- Other Qualifications (Access to HE Diploma, BTEC, etc): Please refer to our website or mail to admissions@see.leeds.ac.uk.

In order to transfer from a BSc programme to the Integrated Masters equivalent, students will normally be required to maintain a minimum average of 65 in their first year. Transfer is conditional upon securing a study abroad place.

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:

Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies (ES3)

Programme specification:

The programme will allow students to:
- be educated across the full range of Geological Sciences, encouraging and enabling students to acquire a good background of geological knowledge;
- be trained in field and relevant laboratory techniques;
- develop investigative and communication skills;
- gain a good foundation for those who will embark on careers as professional geologists;
- 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, plate tectonics, and evolution of life on Earth and an appreciation of relevant temporal and spatial scales;
- allowing students to become equipped with Earth science terminology and nomenclature, and the skills for the identification and classifiction 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 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, and to appreciate the contribution of the subject of Earth science 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 and interlinked;
c) emphasis on field skills and independent mapping or laboratory projects;
d) extensive communication, employment-related and team skills development;
e) opportunity to include an industrial placement year;
f) 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.

Within the BSc Geological Sciences programme, candidates choose to follow one of four pathways. Each pathway specifies particular option modules as suggested choices. The pathways act as guided routes through the programme structure for candidates who might have a particular career in mind upon completion of their studies.

- The 'Geology Pathway' provides candidates with the opportunity to undertake a broad and balanced programme of study that provides wide coverage of the discipline leaving all career options open.
- The 'Petroleum Pathway' provides training in seismic interpretation, sedimentology, structural geology, and resource geology; it is recommended for candidates intending to pursue a career in the hydrocarbons industry.
- The 'Environmental Pathway' is focussed on aspects of engineering and environmental geology and hydrogeology; it is recommended for candidates intending to pursue a career with environmental and engineering companies or consultancies who are the major employers of UK based Earth scientists.
- The 'Minerals Pathway' provides training in ore geology, mineral exploration and resource development; it is re commended for candidates intending to pursue a career in the extractive (quarrying and mining) industries and in exploration.

Regardless of which pathway is followed, successful completion of the programme (which is accredited by the Geological Society) will lead to the degree qualification of BSc Geological Sciences.

Year1 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

NB
- Failure to attend any part of a compulsory field class is likely to impact critically on subsequent understanding and performance.
- Failure to attend a significant part or all of a field class will inevitably require that the student attends the class in the following year. This may prevent progression to the next level of study until the field class has been attended.

Optional modules:

Students with A level Maths, and/or AS level Maths (grade A-C) or equivalent do NOT need to register for SOEE1480. Students with less than a C grade at AS level MUST register for SOEE1480.
Students entering the programme of study without A Level Chemistry at grade C or above MUST register for SOEE1131.

These modules are Pass for Progression.

Students should select up to 30 credits from the following optional modules.

Students with A Level Pure or Further Maths may be excluded from studying SOEE1301 depending on the units taken and grade and should seek advice from the Module and/or Programme Leader before enrolling for this module.

Students with A Level Maths at Grade C or above should NOT register for SOEE1485.

Students should note that SOEE1212 Gold and Precious Metals is capped at 45 and is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis

Discovery modules:

Students may study up to 10 credits of Discovery Modules.

Year2 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules.

Students who are enrolled for SOEE2631 Introduction to Geophysics may be eligible to enrol for SOEE2630 Fundamentals of Geophysics instead. SOEE2630 is recommended for students who are intending to take SOEE3740 Seismic Interpretation in Level 3. SOEE2630, if taken, is also Pass for Progression.

NB
- Failure to attend any part of a compulsory field class is likely to impact critically on subsequent understanding and performance.
- Failure to attend a significant part or all of a field class will inevitably require that the student attends the class in the following year. This may prevent progression to the next level of study until the field class has been attended.

Optional modules:

Students should select 10 credits from the following optional modules.

Students on the four-year MGeol programme can select any one module from below.

Students on the three-year BSc degree programme or four-year BSc Industrial or International degree programme are recommended to select their optional module according to the following guidance depending on their preferred pathway in Level 3:

- Students for the 'Geology Pathway' can select any one module from below.
- Students for the 'Petroleum Pathway' are recommended to take SOEE1301 if they have not taken it in year 1 of study, otherwise students are recommended to take either SOEE2490 or SOEE2500.
- Students for the 'Minerals Pathway' are recommended to take SOEE2580.
- Candidates for the 'Environment Pathway' are recommended to take SOEE2460.

Note : Students with A Level Pure or Further Maths may be excluded from studying SOEE1301 depending on the units taken and grade and should seek advice from the Module and/or Programme Leader before enrolling for this module.

- Students who have taken SOEE1301 or SOEE1311 in their first year are not permitted to repeat these modules in their second year.

Year3 - View timetable

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

Compulsory modules:

Students will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Students MUST select at least ONE of the following fieldtrip modules.

- Students on the 'Geology Pathway' can select any of the modules below
- Students on the 'Petroleum Pathway' MUST select SOEE3560
- Students on the 'Minerals Pathway' should select SOEE3660, though SOEE3040 is acceptable
- Students on the 'Environment Pathway' are recommended to select SOEE3720

Students MUST select at least 3 of the following 4 modules. Students on the 'Petroleum Pathway' MUST select SOEE3500.

Students should select up to 40 credits from the following options.


'Geology Pathway'

Students on the 'Geology Pathway' can select any modules from below.
Students who select SOEE2490 cannot take SOEE3521 or SOEE3600.
Students who select SOEE3110 Earth Systems Science cannot also take SOEE3171 Volcanic Processes.
Students should note that SOEE3521 Geology into Schools is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

'Petroleum Pathway'

Students on the 'Petroleum Pathway' should select SOEE3060, SOEE3450 and SOEE3740 and, if they still have sufficient credits available, should select either SOEE2490 or SOEE3630.

'Minerals Pathway'

Students on the 'Minerals Pathway' should select SOEE3600, SOEE3450 and one or two modules from SOEE3460, SOEE3102 and SOEE3135.

'Environment Pathway'

Students on the 'Environment Pathway' should select SOEE3110, SOEE3135 and SOEE3281 and, if they still have sufficient credits available, should select SOEE3450.

Last updated: 20/12/2017

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