2018/19 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue
BSc Geophysical Sciences
Programme code: | BS-GP | UCAS code: | F640 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: | 3 Years | Method of Attendance: | Full Time |
Programme manager: | Dr Andrew Walker | Contact address: | A.Walker@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:
PHYS1231 | Introductory Physics (Geophysics) | 15 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
PHYS1250 | Vibrations and Waves (Geophysics) | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE1150 | Fundamentals of Geophysics | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE1155 | Geophysics Tutorial Module | 5 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE1160 | Computers and Programming in Geosciences | 10 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE1311 | Advanced Mathematics for Environmental and Geophysical Scientists | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE1575 | Geology 1 for Geophysicists | 20 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE1580 | Geology 2 | 30 credits | Semester 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.
SOEE1301 | Intermediate Mathematics for Environmental and Geophysical Scientists Pre-requisite for: SOEE1311 | 10 credits | Semester 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.
SOEE1034 | Natural Hazards | 10 credits | Semester 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:
SOEE2040 | Mathematics for Geophysical and Environmental Sciences 3 | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2050 | Deformation Processes | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2190 | Time Series Analysis and Digital Signal Processing | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2212 | Tectonophysics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2250 | Numerical Methods and Statistics | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2550 | Applied Geophysics | 30 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE2660 | Mathematics for Geophysical and Environmental Sciences 4 | 10 credits | Semester 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.
MATH2620 | Fluid Dynamics 1 | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
PHYS1240 | Quantum Physics and Relativity (Geophysics) | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
PHYS2340 | Electromagnetism (Geophysics) | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2062 | Sedimentary Processes | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2110 | Introductory Oceanography | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2160 | Climate Change: Science and Impacts | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2210 | Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE2355 | Energy Transitions: Technologies, Markets and Policy | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2500 | Petroleum Reservoir Engineering | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2600 | Sedimentary Basins and Hydrocarbon Resources | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE2620 | Explosive Volcanism: Processes, deposits and resources | 10 credits | Semester 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:
SOEE3058 | Independent Geophysical Project | 40 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE3200 | Practical Geophysics | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3221 | Research Seminars in Geophysics | 10 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE3250 | Inverse Theory | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3260 | Global Seismology | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3530 | Global Geophysics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Optional modules:
Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules.
SOEE3060 | Advanced Sedimentology and its Applications | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3135 | Engineering Geology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3171 | Volcanic Processes | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3190 | Earth Observations from Space | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3281 | Physical and Chemical Hydrogeology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3350 | Geoelectrics | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3450 | Structural Geology | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
SOEE3500 | Basin Dynamics and Petroleum Systems | 10 credits | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
SOEE3521 | Earth and Environmental Sciences into Schools | 10 credits | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
SOEE3630 | Strategic Energy Issues | 10 credits | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 01/05/2018
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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