Resource and Exploration Geology BSc

Program Overview

Through extensive fieldwork, industry placements, and research possibilities, students gain practical and analytical skills in mineral exploration, hydrogeology, and environmental sciences. This highly respected program, accredited by The Geological Society, prepares graduates for diverse careers in industry and research.

Program Outline

BSc Resource and Exploration Geology - University of Exeter

Degree Overview:

• Objectives: The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address global challenges related to climate change, natural hazards, and the supply of critical raw materials and resources.
• Benefits: Students benefit from access to spectacular, world-class geology and major mineral and geothermal exploration programs in Cornwall.
• Practical Experience: The program offers over 60 days of fieldwork, laboratory classes, opportunities for industry placements, and independent research possibilities.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Dynamic Planet:
(15 credits)
• Earth and Environmental Chemistry:
(15 credits)
• Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones:
(15 credits)
• Earth History and Palaeontology:
(15 credits)
• Field Geology and Geological Maps:
(30 credits)
• Surveying and Digital Mapping:
(15 credits)
• Quantitative Methods for GeoScientists:
(15 credits)
• CSM Professionalism Year 1:
(10 credits)
• Fieldwork: Nine one-day field classes in Cornwall and a one-week residential field class in Pembrokeshire.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Structural Geology and Tectonics:
(30 credits)
• Sedimentology and Stratigraphy:
(30 credits)
• Geological Mapping Techniques:
(15 credits)
• Magmatism and Metamorphism:
(15 credits)
• Magmatic and Metamorphic Rocks:
(15 credits)
• CSM Professionalism Year 2:
(10 credits)
• Optional Modules: (Select 15 credits)
• Geotechnics:
(15 credits)
• Geophysics:
(15 credits)
• Fieldwork: Six one-day field classes, a residential field course in Devon and Dorset, and training in geological mapping on the Isle of Skye or in mainland Europe.

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Mineral Deposit Geology:
(15 credits)
• GIS for Geologists:
(15 credits)
• Applied Field Geology:
(15 credits)
• Exploration Techniques:
(15 credits)
• Summer Vacation Project:
(30 credits)
• CSM Professionalism Year 3:
(10 credits)
• Optional Modules: (Select 30 credits)
• Surface Excavation Design:
(15 credits)
• Contaminated Land Management and Remediation:
(15 credits)
• Energy Resource Geology:
(15 credits)
• Hydrogeology:
(15 credits)
• Safety and Sustainable Development:
(15 credits)
• Fieldwork: A ten-day residential trip to either Cyprus or Spain, focusing on applied mapping, geotechnical engineering, and environmental impact.

Assessment:

• Methods: Assessment methods vary between modules and may include individual or group reports, presentations, practical write-ups, and exams.
• Innovative Techniques: The program also utilizes innovative assessment techniques such as websites, posters, social media, videos, science communication, and dragons-den style presentations.
• First Year: Students must pass the first year to progress to the second year, but first-year marks do not count towards the final degree classification.

Teaching:

• Methods: Learning and teaching are delivered through a combination of lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials, field-based teaching, and independent study.
• Laboratory Classes: Laboratory practical classes help students develop their understanding of geological topics and put theory into practice.
• Workload: Students have an average of 18 teaching hours per week and need to undertake additional independent study.
• Flexibility: Students can transfer between any of the BSc and MSci geology and geoscience degrees during their first year.
• Research-Led Culture: Students benefit from being taught by experts active in internationally-relevant research, discussing the latest ideas, research discoveries, and new technologies.
• Industry Practitioners: The program also includes teaching by leading industry practitioners.

Careers:

• Global Challenges: Geologists are needed to address global environmental problems related to climate, energy, water, air pollution, natural hazards, and the supply of raw materials.
• High Employment Rates: Geology and geoscience degrees lead to high employment rates and decent salaries, with graduate opportunities in the UK and around the world.
• Career Paths: Graduates work in various fields, including mineral exploration, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, and environment-related industries.
• Transferable Skills: The program develops transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and quantitative data analysis.
• Examples of Roles: Recent graduates work as Chartered Surveyors, Engineering Project Managers, Project Engineers, Engineering Professionals, Estimators, Valuers, Assessors, Environment Professionals, Financial Accounts, IT Operations Technicians, and Laboratory Technicians.

Other:

• Accreditations: The program is accredited by The Geological Society, which is the first step towards Chartered Geologist status after graduation.
• Support: Students have access to personal tutors, study skills support, modern language courses, and health, wellbeing, and general support services.
• Proficiency Options: Students can choose to complete 60 credits of modules in a subject outside of their course, such as a foreign language, data science, entrepreneurship, innovation, law, leadership, or social data science, which may be added to their degree title upon graduation.
• Fieldwork: All Geology degree programs provide practical experience in the field at various locations across the UK and abroad.
• Top Rankings: The University of Exeter is consistently ranked highly for Earth and Marine Sciences and Geology.

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