Earth Sciences Durham University

Overview

The MSci Earth Sciences course incorporates a substantial amount of independent (and group) project work which will involve you in high-level quantitative investigations, in addition to advanced key skills training.

Key facts

If you have been accepted on the BSc degree course you can choose to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences  at the end of your second year. This will depend on your progress in the first two years.

It is suitable if you have a strong interest in research in the Earth Sciences, graduates from this course have secured PhD research positions at prestigious universities worldwide.

The Earth Sciences MSci course offered by Durham University is mainly delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, tutorials and fieldwork. Typically lectures provide key information on a particular area, and identify the main areas for discussion and debate. Practical classes and fieldwork allows you to gain direct experience of practical and interpretative skills in Geology while tutorials address specific transferable skills and allows you to raise particular problems.

Throughout the course, you will have access to an academic tutor who will provide you with academic support and guidance. Typically you will meet with your tutor six times a year, in addition to which all members of teaching staff have an open door policy and are available to meet with on a ‘drop-in’ basis.

The Department also has an exciting programme of weekly one-hour research seminars which undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to attend, and there is a seminar programme run throughout the year by the student-led Arthur Holmes Society.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the Geological Society for a period of six years with effect from March 2016, subject to students choosing modules to constitute an approved pathway as indicated above.