Programme And Module Handbook
 
Programme Specification


Date Specification Approved 16/07/2022
College College Life and Env Sci
School School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department Earth and Environ Sciences
Partner College and School Geography
Collaborative Organisation and Form of Collaboration
Qualification and Programme Title M.Sci. Geology and Physical Geography Full-time
Programme Code 8469
Delivery Location Campus
Language of Study English
Length of Programme 4 Year(s)
Accreditations This programme has no outside accreditations
Aims of the Programme The programme aims to develop students? enthusiasm for Earth studies in the broadest sense, to produce graduates with professional skills of observation, critical evaluation, deduction and reporting, and to encourage a habit of maintaining personal competence through study. Geology and geography have 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. In this programme, whose geological content is combined equally with modules provided in Geography & Environmental Sciences, there is a particular focus on Earth?s surface processes and environments and the ways these interact with human activities. The integrated knowledge, understanding and skills acquired fit graduates for careers and/or further study in both geology and geography, particularly in environmental areas, and are appropriate also to a wider field of graduate employment. The School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham undertakes a wide range of research in the component 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 & Geography programme provides a broad-based scientific education, integrating material from other major scientific subjects with specifically geological and geographical concepts and skills. No previous knowledge of geology is assumed. Fieldwork forms a significant and integral part of the programme, occupying some 30 days. 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 for more than a third of the final 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:
The conceptual framework of geological and geographical enquiry, and the development of major paradigms in Earth studies.
Methods of geological and geographical observation and analysis.
Earth structure and composition, and the processes governing the distribution and recycling of materials, particularly at the Earth's surface.
The composition, nomenclature and classification of geological materials, and their properties and behaviour.
The processes affecting major Earth systems; their interactions and visible expressions.
Earth's origin, history, and evolution as a complex system.
The availability of natural resources; their utilization and conservation.
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 Geosciences.
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 (1-5, 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:
To identify geological materials and collect, record, process and integrate quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources using appropriate techniques.
To notice, establish and interpret the connections between diverse data sets of their own and of others.
To think across varying scales of space and time.
To plan, conduct and complete problem-solving and review investigations flexibly, critically, safely, and on time.
To work effectively and efficiently, both individually and as one of a team.
To report the results of such investigations to a professional standard through a variety of media.
To use computers in information gathering, processing, presentation and communications.
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