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Various university courses... varying names? Help please?
Hi all,
While I know that each university usually provides a different sorts of modules for their course. I'm curious to know what students here get taught by their university to try and link the material taught and the subject title.
Because currently... I just see so many different sort of names.
and I'm sure there are countless others that I haven't mentioned here, that people would care to bring in, if they want?
The problem I've got here is that I don't know what I want to do since some of them seem to overlap each other. I've never taken geology in A2, my perception of it could change in the future but at the moment I'm lead to believe that it is the indepth study of rock/soil properties and such...
Which leads me to ask, how much does geology play a part in subjects such as geoscience and geophysics? Is it like the bread and butter of the course?
I'm curious as to what is it that interests people about geology exactly as opposed to the other aspects of geoscience/geography. I mean personally I've always been somewhat interested in processes, however when it comes to things like detailed study of rocks/elements...
By my understanding as well, most of the time people who take part in geoscience seem to go into the petroluem or some other sort of exploration industry? The office work there looks rather dire... Do people have specific plans in what they do after university, and are they making their choices based on that?
Cheers...
While I know that each university usually provides a different sorts of modules for their course. I'm curious to know what students here get taught by their university to try and link the material taught and the subject title.
Because currently... I just see so many different sort of names.
•
Geoscience
•
Geology
•
Geophysics
•
Environmental Science...
•
Environmental Geoscience...
•
Geography (I believe this is seperate, but how?)
and I'm sure there are countless others that I haven't mentioned here, that people would care to bring in, if they want?
The problem I've got here is that I don't know what I want to do since some of them seem to overlap each other. I've never taken geology in A2, my perception of it could change in the future but at the moment I'm lead to believe that it is the indepth study of rock/soil properties and such...
Which leads me to ask, how much does geology play a part in subjects such as geoscience and geophysics? Is it like the bread and butter of the course?
I'm curious as to what is it that interests people about geology exactly as opposed to the other aspects of geoscience/geography. I mean personally I've always been somewhat interested in processes, however when it comes to things like detailed study of rocks/elements...
By my understanding as well, most of the time people who take part in geoscience seem to go into the petroluem or some other sort of exploration industry? The office work there looks rather dire... Do people have specific plans in what they do after university, and are they making their choices based on that?
Cheers...
I've done a lot of looking up on this as well, as you are right, it can be really confusing.
Geoscience covers a broad range of topics, it's essentially the same thing as an Earth Science degree. You cover geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, earth system processes, and a bit of atmospheric processes. It's a really broad degree so wherever you take it it will normally offer loads of modules.
Geology is the most basic and broad degree there is for an earth science degree. It varies per university (e.g. at Southampton you do a lot of marine geology, whereas in Leicester you do strictly geology modules each year), but like geoscience it gives a wide range of topics to choose from. Geology is like a natural science, so doing a geology degree gives you a lot of options and freedom.
Geophysics is normally the most difficult geoscience, as it incorporates a heavy amount of mathematics, computing and physics into it. All the physics is applied, so in a sense it can be compared to civil engineering (geotechnics, etc). If you check out the modules offered at universities which offer geophysics, they're also very flexible about non-geophysical modules as well. In a geophysics degree the compulsory modules per year almost always include mathematics, and obviously, applied geophysics, but you can take modules ranging from geomorphology, to sedimentology, to environmental geochemical cycles.
Environmental Science is a lot different. It has more to do with waste management, pollution, ecology, and hydrological management, but again, this varies per university. Taking a look at East Anglia's degree, they allow Env. Sci students to take modules on practically any kind of earth science, from economic geology to atmospheric dynamics. It's a more popular topic nowadays as it has more direct ties with the understanding of climate change.
Environmental Geoscience has the same broad aspects of geoscience, but normally leans towards environmental geology and environmental issues in contemporary society. I'd say this is a pretty good degree if you want to tap into today's issues but also want a broad approach to geology.
Physical Geography is the most broad of all. Most courses do not offer a 4 Years course (like an MGeol in Geology or MEarthSci in Geoscience, for ex), as it's a really broad topic and generally encourages students to specialise shortly after in things like glaciology, geomorphology, atmospheric sciences and hydrology. I'd say it requires more analytical literary skills in comparison to geology, however, most uni's offer this course combined with an earth science. If it's on its own it most likely shares Years 2/3 modules with geology and earth science students.
As for geology, I'd say it's more incorporated into a geoscience degree, as geophysics wants to you learn the foundations of mineralogy and geologic processes, but then further builds on them with mathematics and physics. It depends on the university, so check out what modules are offered.
And yes, a lot of people work in oil industries and such because they are in great demand nowadays. It's weird, because applications for earth science degrees are declining, job vacancies are constantly opening and as a result universities are very lenient on earth science degree requirements. You'll find that Geophysics particularly has low requirements. Luckily, however, unlike engineering, earth science degrees have a LOT of research options. Even if you do a geology degree, you can still do an MSc or MRes in atmospheric science. No matter what degree you do, every aspect of the environment has strong ties with one another. If you do a geophysics degree, you'll find that some of the geophysics courses offer a lot of atmospheric physics / climate dynamics modules, or physical oceanography.
Anyway, the key things to look out for are:
Personally I look for degrees that are not strictly geology, as I prefer to specialise a little with more mathematical modules involved. I'm applying to geophysics at Southampton, geology with geophysics at Leicester and pretty much any environmental science degree at East Anglia because they have incredible flexibility with module choices (I can do a degree that mixes ecology and advanced ocean physics, for example), making it a great place to continue for research. I definitely plan on doing research though, unless I find that I actually prefer applied earth sciences more fun than something else.
The study of rocks and minerals and soils and such does look a little dull, I agree, but you'll find that it makes processes in the lithosphere look really interesting once you actually understanding what types of minerals are involved. You might find paleobiology or archeology to be interesting as well when you study geology.
Anyway, that was a long post, but I suggest you read most of it, haha.
I've asked a lot of questions to admissions tutors and universities, looked at textbooks on geology, and this is what it seems to be like.
Geoscience covers a broad range of topics, it's essentially the same thing as an Earth Science degree. You cover geology, geophysics, hydrogeology, earth system processes, and a bit of atmospheric processes. It's a really broad degree so wherever you take it it will normally offer loads of modules.
Geology is the most basic and broad degree there is for an earth science degree. It varies per university (e.g. at Southampton you do a lot of marine geology, whereas in Leicester you do strictly geology modules each year), but like geoscience it gives a wide range of topics to choose from. Geology is like a natural science, so doing a geology degree gives you a lot of options and freedom.
Geophysics is normally the most difficult geoscience, as it incorporates a heavy amount of mathematics, computing and physics into it. All the physics is applied, so in a sense it can be compared to civil engineering (geotechnics, etc). If you check out the modules offered at universities which offer geophysics, they're also very flexible about non-geophysical modules as well. In a geophysics degree the compulsory modules per year almost always include mathematics, and obviously, applied geophysics, but you can take modules ranging from geomorphology, to sedimentology, to environmental geochemical cycles.
Environmental Science is a lot different. It has more to do with waste management, pollution, ecology, and hydrological management, but again, this varies per university. Taking a look at East Anglia's degree, they allow Env. Sci students to take modules on practically any kind of earth science, from economic geology to atmospheric dynamics. It's a more popular topic nowadays as it has more direct ties with the understanding of climate change.
Environmental Geoscience has the same broad aspects of geoscience, but normally leans towards environmental geology and environmental issues in contemporary society. I'd say this is a pretty good degree if you want to tap into today's issues but also want a broad approach to geology.
Physical Geography is the most broad of all. Most courses do not offer a 4 Years course (like an MGeol in Geology or MEarthSci in Geoscience, for ex), as it's a really broad topic and generally encourages students to specialise shortly after in things like glaciology, geomorphology, atmospheric sciences and hydrology. I'd say it requires more analytical literary skills in comparison to geology, however, most uni's offer this course combined with an earth science. If it's on its own it most likely shares Years 2/3 modules with geology and earth science students.
As for geology, I'd say it's more incorporated into a geoscience degree, as geophysics wants to you learn the foundations of mineralogy and geologic processes, but then further builds on them with mathematics and physics. It depends on the university, so check out what modules are offered.
And yes, a lot of people work in oil industries and such because they are in great demand nowadays. It's weird, because applications for earth science degrees are declining, job vacancies are constantly opening and as a result universities are very lenient on earth science degree requirements. You'll find that Geophysics particularly has low requirements. Luckily, however, unlike engineering, earth science degrees have a LOT of research options. Even if you do a geology degree, you can still do an MSc or MRes in atmospheric science. No matter what degree you do, every aspect of the environment has strong ties with one another. If you do a geophysics degree, you'll find that some of the geophysics courses offer a lot of atmospheric physics / climate dynamics modules, or physical oceanography.
Anyway, the key things to look out for are:
•
Geology/Geoscience: These are the more broad degrees and will allow you to study a lot of aspects of the earth. I'd suggest this degree if you don't like the idea of specialisation.
•
Environmental...: Courses with these prefixes are still very similar to geology, however, I think you'll find there tends to be some more biology or chemistry involved, and there are strong ties with atmospheric processes.
•
Geophysics is probably the most demanding degree because of the level of mathematics and physics used. It has more of an emphasis on using computational analysis to look at things as well.
•
Geography is the most basic and broad of them all, seeing how it never properly extends past 3 years. However, if you are someone that's interested in lots of earth's processes, rather than understanding materials or applied methods of finding resources like geology or geophysics, this is a more appropriate degree. It tends to include a lot of written work as well, but it's also very scientific.
Personally I look for degrees that are not strictly geology, as I prefer to specialise a little with more mathematical modules involved. I'm applying to geophysics at Southampton, geology with geophysics at Leicester and pretty much any environmental science degree at East Anglia because they have incredible flexibility with module choices (I can do a degree that mixes ecology and advanced ocean physics, for example), making it a great place to continue for research. I definitely plan on doing research though, unless I find that I actually prefer applied earth sciences more fun than something else.
The study of rocks and minerals and soils and such does look a little dull, I agree, but you'll find that it makes processes in the lithosphere look really interesting once you actually understanding what types of minerals are involved. You might find paleobiology or archeology to be interesting as well when you study geology.
Anyway, that was a long post, but I suggest you read most of it, haha.
I've asked a lot of questions to admissions tutors and universities, looked at textbooks on geology, and this is what it seems to be like.I read all of it with great interest. Your a true star Trm90 
I'd give you something, but for the amount of help you just gave, don't think I could come up with anything. Just really thanks! You must have spent ages gathering this data.
I'd give you something, but for the amount of help you just gave, don't think I could come up with anything. Just really thanks! You must have spent ages gathering this data.
In Edinburgh they offer a masters in Earth Science with Physical Geography or a bachelor in Geophysics (as well as one in Geophysics and Meteorology). I was thinking of doing a masters, just because it gives you a deeper understanding and better education etc. I'm especially interested in Geophysics, do you think the 'Earth Science with Physical Geography' would offer that specialisation? I've read what you've said and you suggest that physical geography uses more analytical literature skills. I'm OK at English (ie I got an A at GCSE) but I don't feel I have an affinity with it. Maybe that isn't the best option. Can you do a bachelor somewhere then do the masters year in a different place?
One other thing, I'm thinking about applying for oxbridge. Does Cambridge's Natural Sciences degree offer you the specialisation required and Oxford only offers an earth sciences degree but mentions something about specialising in 3rd year in geophysics, again the same question, will it give a deep enough knowledge of the geophysics area?
One other thing, I'm thinking about applying for oxbridge. Does Cambridge's Natural Sciences degree offer you the specialisation required and Oxford only offers an earth sciences degree but mentions something about specialising in 3rd year in geophysics, again the same question, will it give a deep enough knowledge of the geophysics area?
MatchDancer
In Edinburgh they offer a masters in Earth Science with Physical Geography or a bachelor in Geophysics (as well as one in Geophysics and Meteorology). I was thinking of doing a masters, just because it gives you a deeper understanding and better education etc. I'm especially interested in Geophysics, do you think the 'Earth Science with Physical Geography' would offer that specialisation? I've read what you've said and you suggest that physical geography uses more analytical literature skills. I'm OK at English (ie I got an A at GCSE) but I don't feel I have an affinity with it. Maybe that isn't the best option. Can you do a bachelor somewhere then do the masters year in a different place?
One other thing, I'm thinking about applying for oxbridge. Does Cambridge's Natural Sciences degree offer you the specialisation required and Oxford only offers an earth sciences degree but mentions something about specialising in 3rd year in geophysics, again the same question, will it give a deep enough knowledge of the geophysics area?
One other thing, I'm thinking about applying for oxbridge. Does Cambridge's Natural Sciences degree offer you the specialisation required and Oxford only offers an earth sciences degree but mentions something about specialising in 3rd year in geophysics, again the same question, will it give a deep enough knowledge of the geophysics area?
According to your academic information, you seem to be excelling at your current A-levels. In this case I would strongly suggest you do Geophysics, unless for some reason you either [1] Find Chemistry more interesting (in this case, head for a Geology/Geoscience/Earth Science degree) or [2] you are finding your physics and mathematics classes not as interesting.
Non geophysics courses are... well... it's difficult to explain. Every earth science course offers modules in geophysical theory, however, they avoid forcing you to use the advanced applications of calculus and such to understand the theory. I have a geological geophysics textbook, which is intended for geology students doing geophysical modules -- the book touches calculus, but focuses on the theory. The theory, albeit still quite complex, has a lot of advanced mathematical methods to support it.
In Oxford, yes, they appear to have a lot of emphasis on the mathematical techniques and geophysical methods. However, personally I believe that while your may decide to focus your research projects on geophysical methods and their applications, Oxford's course list seems to be lacking applied geophysics (which is the stuff you use in oil companies). Excluding that, though, Oxford has an excellent course and I'd really suggest you go for it. Unfortunately I'm never going to be able to touch that kind of course as I chose the wrong IB subjects, but it offers a lot of diversity in geophysics and geology. (NB: As for Cambridge I didn't manage to find out what Years 3 and 4 offer, though 1 and 2 seem to offer not much geophysics)
On the other hand, taking a pure geophysics course (e.g. UCL, Southampton, Imperial) is still abundant in geologic theory. That's the nice thing about geophysics, because if you're really into physics you can apply as much of it as you want, but there's still a lot of mineralogy, sedimentology, hydrogeology, lithospheric processes and volcanology involved, making it diverse and interesting.
sounds good. I think geophyscis is it then. I was origionally going to apply for maths but then decided I really didn't want to be working in finance or something and felt the maths was slightly vague and lacked direction. I don't think I really want to work for an oil company so maybe not a problem. I can always apply. The only other question I've got is now I'm looking at UEA and they only seem to offer a BSc which I don't think is enough, they talk about teaching as much as others do in a masters in a bachelor, but somehow I don't believe that. Maybe I just apply for that anyways and keep it as a backup. Thanks though
I'm looking at UEA, and I have the exact same issue as you -- I don't want just a three year course! Also, it should be noted that while UEA offers incredible flexibility among the physical earth sciences (you can do loads of maths, meteorology, oceanography and geology modules even if you're doing a geophysics degree) they don't seem to offer a wide variety of strictly geophysics compared to other geophysics courses. I don't believe the teaching thing either. However, on the other hand, UEA's geophysics course is great because a course that, in the first year, forces you to do loads of maths and environmental chem/phys modules means that you're going to be really prepared. If you happened to forget, you learn these in the first year:
Followed by options from Environmental Phys/Chem/Bio, Probability, etc... The second and third year then offer loads of modules in geology, physics, mathematics, meteorology and such.
I plan on doing the same thing as you, probably making UEA my insurance (and Soton my firm) as I really respect the diversity of their course structure. I was thinking of doing Meteorology there though, as I wouldn't mind doing an MSc Atmospheric Sciences upon finishing a meteorology degree... but, oh well. Anyway, good luck with whatever you find better
•
Intro to geophysics
•
Stats for Env. Sci
•
Intro Computing for Env Sci
•
Solid Earth
•
Multivariable Calculus
•
Calculus for Geophysics
•
Mechanics
Followed by options from Environmental Phys/Chem/Bio, Probability, etc... The second and third year then offer loads of modules in geology, physics, mathematics, meteorology and such.
I plan on doing the same thing as you, probably making UEA my insurance (and Soton my firm) as I really respect the diversity of their course structure. I was thinking of doing Meteorology there though, as I wouldn't mind doing an MSc Atmospheric Sciences upon finishing a meteorology degree... but, oh well. Anyway, good luck with whatever you find better
trm90
I'm looking at UEA, and I have the exact same issue as you -- I don't want just a three year course! Also, it should be noted that while UEA offers incredible flexibility among the physical earth sciences (you can do loads of maths, meteorology, oceanography and geology modules even if you're doing a geophysics degree) they don't seem to offer a wide variety of strictly geophysics compared to other geophysics courses. I don't believe the teaching thing either. However, on the other hand, UEA's geophysics course is great because a course that, in the first year, forces you to do loads of maths and environmental chem/phys modules means that you're going to be really prepared. If you happened to forget, you learn these in the first year:
Followed by options from Environmental Phys/Chem/Bio, Probability, etc... The second and third year then offer loads of modules in geology, physics, mathematics, meteorology and such.
I plan on doing the same thing as you, probably making UEA my insurance (and Soton my firm) as I really respect the diversity of their course structure. I was thinking of doing Meteorology there though, as I wouldn't mind doing an MSc Atmospheric Sciences upon finishing a meteorology degree... but, oh well. Anyway, good luck with whatever you find better
•
Intro to geophysics
•
Stats for Env. Sci
•
Intro Computing for Env Sci
•
Solid Earth
•
Multivariable Calculus
•
Calculus for Geophysics
•
Mechanics
Followed by options from Environmental Phys/Chem/Bio, Probability, etc... The second and third year then offer loads of modules in geology, physics, mathematics, meteorology and such.
I plan on doing the same thing as you, probably making UEA my insurance (and Soton my firm) as I really respect the diversity of their course structure. I was thinking of doing Meteorology there though, as I wouldn't mind doing an MSc Atmospheric Sciences upon finishing a meteorology degree... but, oh well. Anyway, good luck with whatever you find better
I haven't actually looked at soton, Guardian places it 10th in their league table.
I've just realised, Oxford's applications
lace is just over 2:1 whereas Soton's is 3:1. Apparently there's more competition for Soton. :PWhere else are you going to apply to?
I think, obviously I don't know yet because of visits need to be had and all, but I think Imperial is probably my first choise, then maybe Liverpool.
I'm trying to write my personal statement now, and it's being really annoying.
Good luck for you too.
I'm looking at Reading (Meteorology), UEA (Geophysics or Meteorology), Leicester (Geology with Geophysics), Southampton (Geophysics) and Manchester (Geology with Planetary Sciences) at the moment. I'm predicted a good grade but I'm quite limited in my choices, as my current IB subjects are not sufficient for the course requirements (too late to change them) so these universities offer a foundation year (except Leicester who'll let me in directly) which I'm going to take.
You should definitely make Imperial your firm, they are probably the best university for Geophysics. I find it funny how Soton has a higher applicationslace ratio, never knew that!
Yeah the Personal Statement can be irritating, but my guidance counselor (my geography teacher as well) told me that it should really show teamwork (practicals and fieldwork) and a fascination with your surroundings as some of the priorities. Again, good luck, hehe
You should definitely make Imperial your firm, they are probably the best university for Geophysics. I find it funny how Soton has a higher applications
lace ratio, never knew that! Yeah the Personal Statement can be irritating, but my guidance counselor (my geography teacher as well) told me that it should really show teamwork (practicals and fieldwork) and a fascination with your surroundings as some of the priorities. Again, good luck, hehe
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