Geology Joint Honours

UCAS code: Y002

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: three years

Campus: Kedleston Road, Derby

This course is available to international students

Geology is the study of the Earth, what it’s made up of, the processes that are taking place on and within it, and the essential resources it provides. It includes the study of organisms that have lived on our planet and how Earth has evolved with time. You can study Geology as a single honours degree or combine it with one or two subjects to create a joint honours degree.

We offer a wide range of modules to give you the flexibility to follow your own areas of interest in the second and third stages. You can design your own distinctive routes: for instance, you can follow an applied or environmental theme.

Fieldwork is important in Geology involving both local and residential studies, including travel overseas - and if you're following either major or joint pathway, you'll be able to take part in any of these. We offer Geology as either a major, joint or minor subject.

• BA (Hons) in American Studies and Geology
• BSc (Hons) in Biology and Geology
• BSc (Hons) in Business Management and Geology
• BSc (Hons) in Environmental Hazards and Geology
• BSc (Hons) in Geography and Geology
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and History
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and International Relations & Global Development
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Marketing
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Mathematics
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Property Development
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Psychology
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Sociology
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Sport & Exercise Studies
• BSc (Hons) in Geology and Zoology

Stage one

You'll study a selection of these modules:

• Fundamental Skills for Geoscientists
• Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones
• Earth Surface Processes and Environments
• The Stratigraphical Record
• Resource Geology

Stage two

You'll study a selection of these modules:

• Geological Mapping and Map Interpretation
• Imaging Earths Surface and Subsurface
• Volcanology and the Earth's Interior
• Deformed Terrains
• Applied Sedimentology
• Geomorphology
• Water: Resource, Hazard, Commodity

Stage three

You'll study a selection of these modules:

• Research Study in Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Mineral Deposits and Exploration
• Engineering Geology
• Geological Hazards
• The Environment and Life through Time
• Crustal Evolution
• Basin Analysis
• Vocational Module

Our entry requirements are usually 260-300 UCAS points from A levels, including Grade C in A level Geology, Physics, Chemistry or Biology, or equivalent qualifications such as a BTEC National Diploma, Scottish Highers etc. If you've completed an Access/Foundation course, we also accept these qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

Full time:

• If you combine this subject with a classroom based subject it will cost £7,700 per year.
• If you combine this subject with another resource intensive subject it will cost £8,250 per year.

Part time:

• If you combine this subject with a classroom based subject it will cost £965 per module, (you'll usually take 18 of these in total).
• If you combine this subject with another resource intensive subject it will cost £1,030 per module, (you'll usually take 18 of these in total).

International students

Full time:

• If you combine this subject with a classroom based subject it will cost £9,945 per year.
• If you combine this subject with another resource intensive subject or a specialist subject it will cost £10,225 per year.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

You will learn through lectures and laboratorybased practical sessions, and fieldwork both in the UK and overseas. You will be taught by a team of enthusiastic and highly skilled geologists, many of whom are active researchers working with local and international research partners.

How you're assessed

We use a diverse range of assessment methods, including essays, reports, field and laboratory notebooks, portfolios, posters, oral presentations and exams. You may be assessed individually or as part of a group. We’ve mapped our assessments against key graduate skillsets that employers require.

A degree in Geology can open up lots of opportunities. There is currently considerable demand for graduate geologists in exploring, producing and managing Earth’s resources. The course is academically challenging and designed with your future employment in mind. The combination of broad-based training and specialist studies will give you the professional skills you'll need as well as the theoretical and practical expertise to go into a wide range of career.

The petroleum and mining industries have traditionally been major employers, but now geotechnical and environmental aspects are becoming increasingly important. As a Derby graduate you'll be well placed to respond to such changes and to enter into a career in resources exploration and exploitation, engineering or extractive geology, environmental consultancy or monitoring, pollution control, waste management or water supply.

Your self-reliance, communicative and transferable skills will also mean you're well suited for non-vocational employment where environmental awareness or broad scientific expertise may be of special value.

So you're interested in doing Geology or a Geology-related degree - why not find out what some of our former students are up to now?

Paul Williams, Graduate, now working as an Assistant Producer at the BBC Natural History Unit

"The University of Derby was a stepping stone to a lifetime of adventure. If you want a strong, practical, hands-on degree that will help launch you up the career ladder, then sign up for Geology at Derby.