Environmental Geoscience, BSc (Hons)

Environmental geoscience is a captivating field that examines the physical processes shaping our planet and long-term environmental changes. This Swansea University degree integrates physical geography with geology, developing essential practical, numerical, and computational skills for careers in regional planning, environmental management, or business.The program offers fieldwork in locations like the Gower Peninsula and overseas sites such as Austria or Borneo, alongside access to advanced facilities like high-performance labs and state-of-the-art equipment. Taught by renowned experts, including Polar Medal recipient Professor Tavi Murray, the course covers topics from natural hazards to climate change. In years one to three, students study compulsory modules on global environmental change and electives in areas like GIS and glaciology, culminating in a dissertation. Assessment includes exams, coursework, and fieldwork, with options for a four-year industrial placement.

In Year 1 you'll study several compulsory modules covering topics such as global environmental change, Earth in action, Earth science in the field and Earth's changing face. You will then choose from optional modules covering geographical skills and methods, writing skills and personal development planning and practical field projects, and topics such as sustainability and geology. In Year 2, you'll study compulsory topics such as Earth history and geological record of past environments. You'll then choose from a range of optional modules covering data analysis, approaches to physical geography and environmental research methods, and topics such as geographic information systems, glacial environments and processes, the Earth from Space, quaternary environmental change, global vegetation patterns and dynamics and urban modelling. You'll also have an opportunity to take part in an overseas field trip. In Year 3, you'll undertake your dissertation and choose from a range of optional modules covering topics such as glaciology, humid tropical environments and landscapes, meteorology and atmospheric science, plate tectonics and global geophysics, environmental modelling and the climate of the last 1,000 years.