Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 04/03/2019
College College Life and Env Sci
School School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department Earth and Environ Sciences
Partner College and School
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title M.Sci. Geology Full-time
Programme Code 0172
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations Geological Society
Aims of the Programme The programme aims to develop students' enthusiasm for geology, to produce graduates with the skills of observation, critical evaluation, deduction and reporting required of a professional geologist, and to encourage a habit of maintaining personal competence through study. Geology has a continuously evolving knowledge base of history and process, rooted in observation of inevitably incomplete and diverse data sets, and given theoretical coherence by an interdisciplinary scientific framework. The integrated knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the programme fit graduates primarily for geological careers, either directly or after further study, but they are appropriate also to a wider field of graduate employment. The Geology programme focuses on understanding of Earth's material composition, history and processes. However, geology also informs society's use of Earth resources and human interaction with the environment, and the programme aims to inform students of their professional responsibilities and potential contribution in this regard. Geological study and research have been undertaken at Birmingham since a Department of Geology was established here in 1881. Birmingham Earth Sciences now forms part of a large interdisciplinary School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences. It operates within the framework of a large civic university, undertakes research across a wide range of geological disciplines, and offers a variety of taught programmes. The Lapworth Museum, with around half a million geological specimens, is an integral part of the School, and provides a valuable resource for learning and teaching as well as for research.
The Geology programme provides a broad-based scientific education, integrating material from other major scientific subjects with specifically geological concepts and skills. No previous knowledge of geology is assumed. Fieldwork forms a major and integral part of the programme, occupying some 90 days in the case of a Geology degree The structure of the programme ensures that all students are able to develop core knowledge, understanding and skills, but its modular nature allows individuals to develop an academic profile most suited to their particular interests and aptitudes. Independent project work comprises a major part of the programme, and forms the basis a third of the final-year BSc classification.
Programme Outcomes
Students are expected to have Knowledge and Understanding of: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
1. The conceptual framework of geological enquiry, and the development of major Earth science paradigms
2. Methods of geological observation and analysis
3. Earth structure and composition, and the geological processes governing the distribution and recycling of Earth materials
4. The composition, nomenclature and classification of geological materials, and their properties and behaviour
5. The chemical, physical and biological processes affecting major Earth systems; their interactions and visible expressions
6. Earth's origin and history, geological time, stratigraphical principles, rates of geological processes
7. The availability of natural resources; their utilization and conservation
8. The outcomes of the MSci programme are differentiated from those of the BSc in requiring a higher degree of creativity, initiative and independence in learning, and a greater awareness of the issues underpinning future advances in the Earth Sciences.
All our learning and teaching methods are involved in helping students to achieve one or more of the programme outcomes. Numbers in parentheses below are used to highlight methods considered to be particularly important in achieving the outcomes specified. Lectures (1-7), practical classes (1-5, 7), fieldwork (1-7), coursework (1-4), tutorials (1-4), projects (1-3, 5-7) and directed independent study (1-3, 7). Apart from specific learning outcomes, fieldwork has important general relevance as a reinforcement and demonstrating mechanism. Project work and directed independent study become increasingly important as the programme progresses.
Each method of assessment is aimed at evaluating the level to which students have achieved one or more of the programme outcomes. Numbers in parentheses below are used to highlight methods considered to be particularly important in assessing the outcomes specified. Unseen examinations (1-7), class tests (1-7), laboratory notebooks (2, 4-7), essays (1-3, 6), project work (1-4, 7), presentations, group work (1, 2).
Students are expected to have attained the following Skills and other Attributes: Which will be gained through the following Teaching and Learning methods: and assessed using the following methods:
1. To identify geological materials and collect, record, process and integrate quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources using appropriate techniques
2. To notice, establish and interpret the connections between diverse data sets of their own and of others
3. To think across varying scales of space and time
4. To plan, conduct and complete problem-solving and review investigations flexibly, critically, safely, and on time
5. To work effectively and efficiently, both individually and as one of a team
6. To report the results of such investigations to a professional standard through a variety of media
7. To use computers in information gathering, processing, presentation and communications
All our learning and teaching methods are involved in helping students to achieve one or more of the programme outcomes. Specific skills are imparted by instruction, demonstration, and supervised and unsupervised practice, in the context of particular items of work. More general transferable skills develop from this context-based experience. Numbers in parentheses below are used to highlight methods considered to be particularly important in achieving the outcomes specified. Lectures (1-3), practical classes (1-3, 5, 7), fieldwork (1-7), coursework (1-7), projects (1-7) and directed independent study (1-3, 5). Apart from specific learning outcomes, fieldwork has important general relevance as a reinforcement and demonstrating mechanism. Project work and directed independent study become increasingly important as the programme progresses.
Each method of assessment is aimed at evaluating the level to which students have achieved one or more of the programme outcomes. Assessment methods are chosen to develop and evaluate the skills appropriate to the learning outcomes of the programme. Where appropriate, assessments also provide opportunities to give feedback to students to help them refine their skills. Numbers in parentheses below are used to highlight methods considered to be particularly important in assessing the outcomes specified. Unseen examinations (1-3), class tests (1-3), laboratory notebooks (1-5), essays (1-3, 6), project work (1-7), presentations (1-2, 5, 6), group work (1-7).