BSc (Hons) Earth Sciences Bachelor's degree at the University of Derby

During this module, students will gain an understanding of the complex processes and interactions within and between Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. Starting from first principals, students shall learn how internal and external processes and feedbacks, at a range of scales, control the redistribution of solar energy around the globe. Natural climate variability will be studied at timescales from geological to annual. Having established the history and controls on natural climatic variations, students will progress to consider the impacts of anthropogenically driven climate change. In this phase of the module, students will study decadal scale and regional climatic oscillations such as El Niño

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

The aim of this module is to introduce the concepts of reserves and resources. As our society develops and expands, there is an increasing demand for both geological and energy resources. The occurrence of geological resources, such as metalliferous deposits, industrial minerals, and construction materials, shall be discussed to their importance within our expanding urban centres, infrastructure links, and green technology production. This module is delivered mainly via lectures and associated practicals, in addition to a site visit. Assessment is 100% coursework, comprising a group research project and personal portfolio.

Assessment: Coursework

This module will introduce the learner to the fundamental building blocks of the planet, including minerals and rocks. This will include observing and interpreting the physical properties of minerals, an essential skill for environmental scientists interested in application of materials. The course will be predominantly delivered through lectures, associated practical sessions, fieldwork, and directed study. This module will cover the properties of materials that will underpin later understanding of the importance of materials in sustainability and aspects of environmental hazards. Students will learn about the main formation processes, geological settings, and the common mineral constituent

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

This module is designed to help you develop a range of intellectual, personal and subject-related skills that are fundamental for Earth scientists. In particular, it will provide an introduction to the methods of recording geoscience data from a variety of sources. This includes training in the description, identification and interpretation of geological phenomena in the field and on maps. It emphasises the need for accuracy in the recording of small-scale features seen at outcrop and demonstrates how larger-scale structures, relationships and geological history can be established from field and map evidence. In addition, the module will enable you to develop skills in the presentation and c

Assessment: Coursework

This module is designed to help you develop a range of advanced subject specific skills and techniques essential for Earth scientists. This may include advanced techniques in microscopy, geological mapping and map interpretation, digital drawing and graphic design, computer coding, logging, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). You will also develop your employability skills through a programme of Personal Development Planning (PDP) and bespoke career development sessions. The module will be taught through a combination of lectures, practical classes, field work, and tutorials. Module learning outcomes On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: Demonstrate competency in

Assessment: Coursework

This module studies the 4.6-billion-year evolution of Earth. Starting with Earth’s formation, the module adopts an Earth systems approach, drawing on multiple lines of evidence to document the geological, earth surface and biological processes that have formed the planet we see today. Our journey pauses at key events in Earth’s evolution, employing case-studies to examine and understand the underlying driving mechanisms of change. Students will consider the story of life from its origin, through the rise and fall of the dinosaurs, and concluding with recent human evolution. The co-evolution and co-dependence of environments and life requires that students utilise sedimentology and palaeontol

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

This module will give students an overview of the theory, principles, and application of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and remote sensing. This module will include sessions on the basic principles of GIS and will give students the opportunity to learn and practice using GIS software. It will also include sessions on the basic principles of remote sensing and will give students the opportunity to interpret and process remote sensing data. The module will also include working on a live brief provided by an external company. This will require students to apply their learnt skills to a real-world application.

Assessment: Coursework

In this module, you will study the composition, texture, structures and field relationships of modern sediments and ancient sedimentary rocks, in order to achieve the reconstruction of past depositional conditions and environments. The module aims to provide students with the skills to describe sedimentary rocks and sequences, and to interpret processes and environments through the development of theoretical and practical skills in the laboratory and during fieldwork. Students will explore applications of sedimentology to petroleum geology through working with and interpreting simple sets of well data. Learning will take place in lectures, in practical classes and on residential fieldwork. T

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to a range of tectonic features associated with brittle and ductile deformation. Geological structures are considered by examining their origin and formation. Delivery will be by lecture and associated practical.

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

This module aims to build an understanding of volcanism and metamorphism, including the diversity of their processes and products. You will study the geological, geochemical, and/or geophysical evidence for volcanic and metamorphic processes and will learn to interpret past events using volcanic and metamorphic evidence. The structural and mineralogical products resulting from both contact and regional metamorphism will be explored. Volcanic systems will be studied across major tectonic environments, including extensional, contractional, and intraplate settings. Volcanic and/or metamorphic rocks will be investigated in the field.

Assessment: Coursework, Practical

This module develops a holistic and transdisciplinary approach to understanding water resources and water transfer processes along hydrological pathways linking the vadose (surface) and phreatic (subsurface) zones. Understanding water transfer processes and pathways is critical in developing sustainable water utilisation and management strategies against a backdrop of competing supply, demand and water quality issues, in both the urban and rural domains. The pivotal roles played by geology, climate and human agency is also considered in the context of an increasing need to maintain potable supplies of water, address water quality issues and develop sustainable wastewater strategies across co

Assessment: Coursework

This module reviews energy provision in the UK and globally. For each mode of energy provision, case studies, at a range of scales, are employed to assess the environmental, societal, security and financial implications of energy production. Current UK Energy Policy is reviewed and the issue of energy poverty is addressed. Carbon mitigation and energy storage strategies are considered as integrated components of a secure, sustainable, energy mix. A field site visit to view and assess how renewable energy can be successfully used to meet our energy needs.

Assessment: Coursework

This module will expand upon geological resources that can be utilised to help ensure a sustainable future for our planet and society. Topics that shall be covered in this module include metals needed for production of green technologies, geothermal energy, carbon sequestration, alternative energy sources, and soil. Understanding how to explore for these geological resources, how we use or extract them, and the potential environmental impacts is important for responsible extraction. As a result, extraction methods, environmental impacts, monitoring, and remediation shall be discussed in addition to sustainability concepts, such as circular economy and materials stewardship.

Assessment: Coursework

This module forms part of the placement year typically completed between the second and final stage of a degree programme. The module provides a framework for the development of reflective skills appropriate to all areas of professional practice including for example aspects of problem solving such as objective setting, planning, negotiating, demonstrating, and reflecting. The emphasis in this module is on the analysis and evaluation of work completed within the organisation and future employability planning. During the module students will develop a reflective portfolio where they record the skills, knowledge and experience developed during the placement experience and evaluate how this wil

Assessment: Coursework

The imminent transition to a global net-zero carbon energy sector is critical if we wish to avoid debilitating climate change for our planet. This level L6 module aims to teach students the critical skills required to be a part of the solution to climate change. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of exploring and modelling low-carbon and carbon-negative energy systems (e.g. geothermal, and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)). The module will teach students about subsurface characteristics and processes critical to net-zero Earth energy systems (e.g. heat flow, CO2-rock interactions), as well as provide students with a rare opportunity to gain highly employable skills in making and

Assessment: Coursework

This module represents an opportunity for students to exercise initiative, creative thinking, time management and organisational skills in the pursuit of an independent (but tutor supported) piece of research work of their own choosing (subject to approval on academic, safety and ethical grounds). It is a continuation of the process of Personal Development Planning (PDP) initiated in level 4 and 5, to develop an advanced skill-set which will enhance the ‘graduateness’ and employability of students. Central to the research study will be a degree of problem solving, the formulation and testing of hypotheses and the critical evaluation of relevant theory. The research can, if required, be under

Assessment: Coursework

This module aims to develop an understanding of the theory behind, and purpose of, geophysical technique application. Students will learn to apply appropriate geophysical techniques to build knowledge of the subsurface and address a range of environmental and/or industrial needs. Students will develop skills in the design, acquisition, processing, and interpretation of geophysical data surveys, which may be acquired by subsurface geophysical techniques, or remote sensing of Earth’s surface.

Assessment: Coursework

This module aims to develop a sound understanding of the nature and causes of climate change. By way of introduction, attention is focussed upon the nature and causes of climate change over the past 11,000 years, with consideration given to the mid-Holocene climatic optimum, the Little Ice Age, Medieval warm period, and the post-Industrial Revolution period. Attention then focuses on the late twentieth/early twenty-first-century climate. The role of various internal and external forcing mechanisms is considered. A critical analysis of the range of adaptation strategies that society might adopt is provided To develop an understanding of the relationships between climate change, its impacts an

Assessment: Coursework

The module is designed to develop your understanding of the mechanical properties of rocks, rock masses, soils and other unconsolidated materials in an engineering context. The importance of these properties with regard to ground stability, slope stability and foundation design is emphasised throughout. The effect of varying groundwater conditions is also considered. Site investigation techniques are also investigated and demonstrated. It is delivered mainly via lectures and associated practicals, tutorials and field visits. Assessment is 50% coursework and 50% examination.

Assessment: Coursework, Exam

This module aims to build understanding of geo/environmental hazards through historical and contemporary case studies. Examples will also be investigated through fieldwork. Students will assess the primary and secondary effects of geo/environmental hazards on the environment and society to understand the concepts of risk, vulnerability, and resilience. Students will evaluate methods of hazard assessment, monitoring, management, mitigation, and communication. As geo-environmental hazards lie at the interface of society and the natural environment, students will develop an interdisciplinary approach spanning the social and natural sciences. With staff guidance, students will select an appropri

Assessment: Coursework