MGeol, BSc Geology (International)

Year 4

(Award available for year: Master of Geol & Bach of Sc)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
- demonstrate coherent and in-depth subject knowledge and show professional competencies by the ability to contextualise, synthesise and critically evaluate information on geological materials and processes, at a variety of scales.
- deploy accurate standard and specialist techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline; to integrate laboratory skills and theoretical knowledge for advanced instrumental and fieldwork problem solving on a conceptual level.
- conceptualise, apply and sustain a comprehensive argument using advanced knowledge of Earth materials, enabling the ability to answer research questions and open-ended real-world problems.
- critically assess aspects of recent research and/or advanced scholarship;
- recognise, evaluate and communicate the uncertainty, ambiguity and limitations of knowledge in the discipline;
- make appropriate use of scholarly reviews and primary sources;
- initiate and carry out a substantial specialist research project;
- carry out independent research and fieldwork with practices that meet professional standards within the field of geological sciences.
- conform to professional boundaries and norms where applicable, i.e. have a professional understanding of the practical, economic, and ethical implications of the utilisation of geological resources at professional industry standard.
- identify, apply and critique the use of GIS techniques, and remote sensing techniques in novel contexts.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- enhanced transferable/key/generic skills necessary for employment related to the area(s) studied; e.g., advanced working knowledge of specialist software, including exposure to industry-specific software as appropriate.
- the ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility in new and novel contexts;
- refined decision making skills in complex and unpredictable situations and fully demonstrate the ability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to problem solving, including dealing with open-ended real world problems.
- an ability to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions in a variety of ways to a variety of audiences; including conclusive data presentation via oral presentations, posters, technical reports and essays.
- appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature;
- professional level report writing skills based on advanced data collection, interpretation, synoptic thinking and thorough critical reflection.
- an enhanced ability to work independently and as part of a team with an understanding of personal responsibility

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
- demonstrating the ability to apply a broad range of aspects of the discipline;
- work that draws on a wide variety of material;
- the ability to evaluate and criticise received opinion;
- evidence of an ability to conduct independent, in depth enquiry within the discipline;
- work that is typically both evaluative and creative;