Studying this degree course will give you a rigorous training in Earth sciences, with a particular emphasis on palaeobiology, the study of ancient life. The biology aspect of the programme will enhance your understanding of evolutionary processes and of the environmental controls on species distribution. Throughout all three years, two-thirds of your time is spent studying geology, with the other third spent studying relevant aspects of biology. All first year modules are compulsory, with a level of choice in the second year and a range of optional modules available in the third year.

Firm emphasis is placed on project work, with an extended field and laboratory based project of your choice, as well as a palaeobiological dissertation.

In addition to lectures and practical classes, you can look forward to fieldwork training in palaeobiological and geological techniques. This work is undertaken both in the UK and abroad, and is assessed by means of reports and presentations. Assessment will also involve examinations, project work and class tests.

Studying this course will provide you with opportunities for employment as a professional palaeobiologist engaged in further research or museum works, or as an applied palaeontologist/biostratigrapher within an oil company. Your core training in geological processes will be appropriate also for a potential career within the mainstream geoscience field if this is the career path you'd like to take.

Your learning will take place in a range of different settings, and in addition to lectures this course involves extensive fieldwork, practical work and tutorials.

You will have access to a comprehensive support system throughout your time here that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors and welfare tutors who can help with both academic and welfare issues.

The most recent assessment by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), who rate the standard of teaching in university departments, scored us here in Earth Sciences as ‘excellent’ – the highest possible grade, something which are proud of and continue to focus on each year.

We also offer excellent facilities for undergraduate study, with state-of-the-art equipment and specialist computer facilities. In Earth Sciences, as well as the renowned Lapworth Museum of Geology you can look forward to experiencing our state-of-the-art Earth Imaging Laboratory.

 

 

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential element of our degree programmes, and Earth Sciences at Birmingham has an outstanding reputation for providing its students with high quality field training.

Video transcript here 

As a single honours student, you will spend approximately 80 days in the field during your degree. As a joint honours or Palaeobiology and Palaeoenvironments student you will spend approximately 40 days in the field.

Because it is such an important part of our programmes, fieldwork is arranged with the majority undertaken during term time. In each of the first two terms, a full week is dedicated to field studies and associated work. Many fieldtrips are residential, visiting a variety of locations such as Pembrokeshire, the Scottish Highlands and southern Spain.

During these courses you will receive rigorous training in field techniques, including both group and individual work, and your confidence, ability and experience in the subject will grow with each successive piece of fieldwork.

Field training at Birmingham culminates in a project which involves three weeks field mapping in an area of your choice. You will map areas adjacent to those of your classmates and share accommodation, usually in the UK, but may also find yourself working abroad. In recent years, our students have undertaken projects in countries as diverse as Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Romania and the USA. Part of this work takes place in term-time at the end of your second year. The maps and resulting report form a significant part of your final degree.

Our students find fieldwork particularly enjoyable. In addition to the obvious geological benefits, it provides you with an opportunity to get to know your fellow students and staff and so feel at home in our friendly department.

Find out more about fieldwork costs and funding.

The education you will receive by studying our programme, with an emphasis on rigorous observation, data collection and interpretation, means that job prospects for you as an Earth Sciences graduate are excellent.

Surveys of recent graduates have shown that significantly more of our graduates gain employment in geology and geology-related areas than those of other UK universities. Geology careers are extremely diverse, with students going into a wide range of professions. Increasing numbers of our graduates are employed in environmental planning, land remediation hydrogeology and pollution control. Opportunities in some fields, notably the oil and minerals industries, vary from year to year. Other employers include the British Geological Survey (BGS), local authorities, museums, government organisations and engineering and construction companies. Other graduates decide on a career in teaching either from primary right through to further education. Many students go on to careers around the world in locations including Australia, New Zealand and Canada - many also choose to stay in the UK of course!

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - undergraduate destinations 2010/2011

Recent graduates have found employment in a wide range of fields. Our most recent student survey showed that 92% of our alumni were working or in further study six months after graduation. Many students from Earth Sciences were engaged in work or study directly related to their first degree, with the remainder choosing career paths in areas outside of the subject where the transferable skills gained on the programme prove invaluable.

Increasingly, a successful career in geology is helped by having a higher qualification. Around a third of our graduates go on to further study before taking a job, either by completing a one-year MSc course or researching for a PhD.

On our degree you will garner invaluable transferable skills that will set you up for a career of your choice. You will learn to produce professional quality reports, a skill valued highly by employers, and will become a self motivator as well as develop the essential ability to work as part of a team.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team within the College who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CV’s and job applications will help give you the edge. If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Find out what other students have gone on to do by reading our graduate student profiles.