Environmental Geoscience (MSci)

This is a four-year full-time course and you study for your Bachelors and Masters degree at the same time. The first three years are structured in the same way as the BSc course and then in year four you will complete your Masters qualification.

In your first year you will study core modules and get a strong foundation in environmental geoscience. In years three and four there are core and optional modules so you have some flexibility to choose to study the areas that you’re interested in. Year four is focussed on a major independent research dissertation.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.

Year one

In your first year, you will study core modules designed to give you a strong foundation in Earth sciences and geology.  We start with the basic principles and cover topics like Earth’s surface plates and internal structure, the minerals that make our planet and the evolution of life through billions of years of geological time. You will develop essential skills like mapping and surveying, microscopy and representing data in geographical information systems (GIS).

We will go on local field trips across South Wales and a week-long residential field trip to Pembrokeshire in West Wales to build on your learning from lectures and practical classes

All of the degrees in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences study the same first semester. After semester one you can decide whether you want to continue with your original choice or switch to one of the other degrees (such as Geology or Exploration Geology).

You earn 120 credits for the year with each core module worth 20 credits.

Year two

In your second year, you will build on the knowledge from year one and start exploring more advanced concepts like geomorphology and hydrology, sedimentary processes, and the structures resulting from earthquakes and mountain building. You will gain skills and experience in sampling, data collection and analysis ready for your dissertation in year three.

We will go on residential field trips to Central and West Wales and Dorset. We’ll also go on day trips across South Wales to explore old mining centres and sites associated with geohazards such as landslides or metal contamination.

In the summer between year two and three, you will do a five-week independent project to prepare for your dissertation in year three. This will be focussed on an applied environmental problem such as the assessment of contaminated land or an analysis of stream or groundwater to find out whether it presents a hazard to human health. In the past students have carried out projects at sites in the UK, Ireland, France and Spain.

Year three

In your third year, you will have more freedom to shape your degree and choose modules that fit with your career ambitions. You will also develop essential professional skills and knowledge that all employers are looking for.  

You earn 120 credits for the year. The core modules include your 40-credit dissertation and the 20 credit modules in Advanced Environmental Geology and Hazards, Risk and Resilience. For your optional modules, you can choose advanced geoscience or advanced geography fieldwork plus a range of specialist subjects like petroleum geology, past climates, or geodynamics.

Year four

Year four is when you study for your Masters. Your core modules include your dissertation (60 credits) and a fieldwork module. For your optional modules, you can choose from topics like business and consultancy and advanced geoscience modelling.

You can choose to do your Masters dissertation on any topic related to environmental geoscience that we can supervise in the School. You can either choose from a list of potential projects circulated by the School or you can work with a supervisor to design a project in an area you’re particularly interested in.

You will work one-to-one with a research supervisor throughout the year and possibly with a wider group of research students. Some of our best Masters research projects have been published in the scientific literature.

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.