Engineering Geology and Geotechnics BSc

Program Overview

Taught by experts active in internationally-relevant research, the program provides over 60 days of fieldwork, laboratory classes, potential industry placements, and independent research possibilities. Graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in a range of subjects, including mineral exploration, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, and environment-related industries.

Program Outline

BSc Engineering Geology and Geotechnics - University of Exeter

Degree Overview:

This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle site investigation, ground engineering, and remediation associated with civil engineering infrastructure projects and the safe supply of critical raw materials. Students gain technical experience through over 60 days of fieldwork, laboratory classes, opportunities for an industry placement, and independent research possibilities.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Dynamic Planet (CSM1042):
15 credits
• Earth and Environmental Chemistry (CSM1031):
15 credits
• Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones (CSM1043):
15 credits
• Earth History and Palaeontology (CSM1044):
15 credits
• Field Geology and Geological Maps (CSM1036):
30 credits
• Surveying and Digital Mapping (CSM1045):
15 credits
• Quantitative Methods for GeoScientists (CSM1041):
15 credits
• CSM Professionalism Year 1 (CSM1904):
10 credits
• Fieldwork:
• Nine one-day field classes to iconic locations across Cornwall during terms 1 and 2.
• One-week residential field class in Pembrokeshire during early May.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Structural Geology and Tectonics (CSM2182):
30 credits
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy (CSM2183):
30 credits
• Geological Mapping Techniques (CSM2184):
15 credits
• Geotechnics (CSM2185):
15 credits
• Magmatic and Metamorphic Rocks (CSM2051):
15 credits
• Magmatism and Metamorphism (CSM2910):
15 credits
• CSM Professionalism Year 2 (CSM2904):
10 credits
• Fieldwork:
• Seven one-day field classes.
• Residential field course in Devon and Dorset.
• Training in geological mapping on the Isle of Skye.

Final Year:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Surface Excavation Design (CSM3038):
15 credits
• GIS for Geologists (CSM3047):
15 credits
• Engineering Geology Field Course (CSM3069):
15 credits
• Hydrogeology (CSM3152):
15 credits
• Summer Vacation Project (CSM3379):
30 credits
• CSM Professionalism Year 3 (CSM3904):
10 credits
• Optional Modules (30 credits total):
• Tunnelling and Excavation Design (CSM3041):
15 credits
• Contaminated Land Management and Remediation (CSM3049):
15 credits
• Exploration Techniques (CSM3151):
15 credits
• Safety and Sustainable Development (CSM2050):
15 credits
• Fieldwork:
• Geological field course in Cyprus or southern Spain.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary between modules and may include individual or group reports, presentations, practical write-ups, and exams.
• More innovative assessment techniques are also used, and may include the use of websites, posters, social media, videos, science communication, and dragons-den style presentations.
• Students must pass the first year in order to progress to the second year, but first-year marks do not count towards the final degree classification.

Teaching:

• Learning and teaching are delivered through a combination of lectures, ‘hands-on’ practical classes, seminars, tutorials, field-based teaching, and independent study.
• Laboratory practical classes develop students' understanding of a range of geological topics and help put theory into practice.
• On average, students have 18 teaching hours per week and need to undertake additional independent study (e.g., directed reading, assignments, and project work).
• The total workload averages about 40 hours per week during term time.
• Students benefit from being taught by experts active in internationally-relevant research.
• All academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics.
• Students are also taught by leading industry practitioners.

Careers:

• Geologists are required to help the global community deal with a range of environmental problems related to climate, energy, water, air pollution, natural hazards, supply of raw materials, and more.
• Geology and geoscience degrees prepare students to tackle the world’s biggest environmental challenges and lead to high employment rates and decent salaries, with graduate opportunities in the UK and around the world.
• The Camborne School of Mines Association and the award-winning University of Exeter Careers Service have the skills and a strong network of alumni to help students find employment.
• The program provides regular ‘Pint and Pasty’ employer events throughout term that allow students to network and meet with potential employers, and learn more about possible career paths.
• Graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in a range of subjects, including mineral exploration, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, and environment-related industries.
• Graduates also go on to roles outside of geology, utilizing the array of transferable skills they have developed.
• Recent graduates work in fields as diverse as the UK civil service, Arup Geotechnics, the National Trust, the Ministry of Defence, and Geomarine Ltd.
• The broad-based skills acquired during the degree will give students an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Geology but also in wider fields.
• Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:
• Chartered Surveyor
• Engineering Project Manager
• Project Engineer
• Engineering Professional
• Estimator, Valuer or Assessor
• Environment Professional
• Financial Accounts
• IT Operations Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Physical Scientist
• The program develops employer-valued skills such as:
• Geological mapping and fieldwork
• Mineral deposit identification and exploration
• Scientific programming
• Use of technical software
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Quantitative data analysis

Other:

• The program is accredited by The Geological Society, which is the first step on the ladder to Chartered Geologist status after graduation.
• The degree has also been accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
• Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
• Students can transfer between any of the BSc and MSci degrees during their first year.
• 95% of students say staff value their views and opinions about the course.
• 100% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 90% of graduates are in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £29,700 per year