MSc Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling

Program Overview

This MSc program develops students' expertise in subsurface characterization and modeling for careers in industries such as mineral resources, energy, and groundwater. It combines classroom instruction, practical experience, and industry engagements to equip graduates with the technical skills, critical thinking, and communication abilities essential for success in applied geology. The program emphasizes real-world data and industry-standard software, fostering a deep understanding of subsurface processes and challenges.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This MSc program is designed to provide a solid grounding in key modern principles and methods required for a career in applied geology. It focuses on generic aspects of data interpretation, analysis, and computer modeling of the subsurface using real-world data and leading industry software. The program aims to equip graduates with the flexibility needed for a geoscience career in an increasingly populous and resource-constrained world.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate a broad technical grounding and strong competence in characterizing subsurface resources critical to modern society.
• Appreciate the main subsurface challenges in each industry sector, the controls on resource volumes, and the value and business drivers that govern activity in various geoscience-based industry sectors.
• Show an advanced level of 3D and 4D understanding of the subsurface as well as critical reasoning skills developed through a wide range of practical exercises and a broad field-based curriculum.
• Assess and balance the requirement for resource development against the inevitable environmental impacts.
• Work with limited data and multiple hypotheses, balancing and assessing the merits and implications of competing models and designing work programs to limit uncertainty.
• Work with a range of digital subsurface and georeferenced data across different application areas including geophysical and borehole data and be able to load, visualize, manipulate, and interpret these data using industry-standard software.
• Work in mixed ability and multidisciplinary teams and engage in effective dialogue with cognate disciplines (drilling, engineering, environmental, energy).
• Display a high level of professional and ethical integrity, particularly in relation to data confidentiality, intellectual property, and social license to operate.
• Operate to industry-standard Health and Safety requirements, particularly with regard to fieldwork in remote areas and working on industrial sites.
• Clearly communicate ideas and results to management, regulatory bodies, and to public forums.
• Develop skills in technical report writing and presentations as required for industry and research positions.
• Formulate, drive, and execute a piece of independent research addressing an applied subsurface geoscience question.
• Build on an early network of contacts in the geoscience community.

Teaching:

• The program combines classroom-based instruction, practical workstation experience, team-based exercises, and field visits.
• It also includes a three-month applied research project.
• The curriculum facilitates direct engagement with industry personnel via tailored short courses, site visits, joint fieldwork, and business-style technical presentations.

Careers:

• The course is industry-facing and designed to equip graduates for a career in a broad range of industries and research organizations requiring digital subsurface characterization and modeling.
• Application areas include mineral resources, the energy sector including oil and gas, geothermal, groundwater, carbon sequestration and storage, geotechnical services, national geological surveys, and waste management.
• Graduates will also receive training in the range of soft skills (e.g., reporting, programming) required by industry.

Other:

• The course is taught by experts from diverse geoscience disciplines, including pure and applied geology, geophysics, geomodelling, and computational geoscience, with experience of the minerals and geoenergy sectors.
• A strong emphasis is placed on learning and assessment through individual and team-based practical exercises in both the classroom and field.
• Students work with a wide range of industry datasets and workflows, using state-of-the-art techniques and software.
• The program provides graduates and company staff seeking career advancement with the key knowledge, skills, and tools required to be successful geoscientists across the range of industries and applied research organizations working with subsurface data.
• We value ambition and passion to be expert problem-solvers through the application of sound geological reasoning, models, and quantitative techniques.
• We provide a learning environment that develops students' ability to solve complex subsurface problems in a creative but pragmatic manner, to present results effectively to management and clients, and to work both individually and in teams as required in a business context.

EU fee per year - € 9300 nonEU fee per year - € 24960 Fees are subject to change