This applied course provides a sound geological education focused towards the identification, investigation and solving of environmental problems. Graduates are prepared for relevant professional employment within an expanding environmental job market. Course structure Teaching is via a combination of lectures, directed research and self-learning. Tutorials, seminars and practicals are incorporated into many of the units. Wherever possible, practical problem solving experience is gained by working on real data from schemes such as the Jubilee Line extension.
Assessment is by a combination of coursework and examination.
A firm practical grounding in geology is provided by six units which cover the principles of geology, rock forming minerals, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary processes, terrain studies, structural geology, and an introduction to palaeontology and stratigraphy. These units are supported throughout the year by field studies and laboratory work. Environmental aspects are introduced, and integrated into laboratory and fieldwork. The remaining units are designed to equip students with an appropriate background in the use of computers in geology, geomaterial science, chemistry, physics and mathematics and allows some personal choice through the University elective and language programme. Students are also given practical field-based training and experience in geological mapping techniques prior to the start of the second year.