Environmental Geology (Graduate Certificate with Distance Learning option) - 2012/2013 entry

Environmental geology is a growing area of active research, because it provides insights into how the environment has evolved over geological time. Through our modular course structure and use of web-based material for distance learning, we aim to provide up-to-date reviews of research topics across relevant aspects of the earth sciences.

Our teaching is informed by considerable research into environmental issues, which is ongoing in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Current research focuses on areas such as metal pollution, coastal erosion, mineralogy, earthquake prediction, palaeoclimatology and palaeontology.

• Can be used as a qualifying year for MRes or PhD study.
• Offered as part-time study at Birkbeck or you can study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world (check our distance learning frequently asked questions for more information). 
• Forms part of the UCL–Birkbeck Research School of Earth Sciences, facilitating access to a wide range of research resources and expertise.

This is a two-year course and you will need to gain 90 credit points. This will normally include four 15-credit modules plus a 30-credit project. Note that advanced modules are usually taught in alternate years and will not be available every year. 

You can choose three modules taken from Years 3 and 4 of the BSc Environmental Geology.

Option modules include:

• Chemistry and Pollution of Water, Air and Soil
• Earth's Resources and Raw Materials
• Geological Hazards
• Project.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences has strong links with the University College London (UCL) Department of Earth Sciences. Together, the two departments form the UCL–Birkbeck Research School of Earth Sciences. The Research School offers excellent facilities for research in environmental geology and planetary geology, as well as traditional geological and geophysical research.

Find out more about our research facilities.

We offer an MRes/Postgraduate Diploma Earth Sciences.

Graduates go on to careers as geologists or in industry, engineering, surveying and education.

• We suggest you apply as early as possible.
• Interviews by arrangement.