Geology (BSc with Distance Learning option) (Part-time) - 2012/2013 entry

The earth sciences cover a broad spectrum of research topics. Earth is a dynamic planet with active plate tectonics given rise to oceans, continents and mountain ranges. You may have an interest in studying the evolution of life through the millennia, working with the fossil record to chart the development and extinction of species. You may be interested in looking at the dynamics involved in geohazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes. You may want to reconstruct ancient environments with an eye to addressing key environmental issues of our time, such as climate change and coastal erosion. Or you may wish to expand your general knowledge of the earth sciences, developing your skills of data collection and scientific analysis.

Through our modular course structure, and the use of our online learning environment for distance learning, we aim to cater for everyone’s interests, covering most of the aspects of earth science. It is possible to start with little or no experience, and exemptions are available for students who already have some advanced qualifications.

• Accredited by the Geological Society as a recognised professional qualification.
• Taught by internationally distinguished researchers who are experts in their field of study.
• Offered as part-time study or you can study by distance learning, wherever you are in the world (check our distance learning frequently asked questions for more information).
• Opportunity to take part in field classes to put your skills into practice.  

Year 1

• Earth History
• Foundations of Mineralogy
• Introduction to Geochemistry
• Introduction to Geology
• Invertebrate Palaeontology.

Year 2

• Geophysics
• Igneous Petrology
• Metamorphic Petrology
• Principles of Sedimentology 
• Structural Geology I.

Year 3 

Option modules include:

• Chemistry and Pollution of Water, Air and Soil
• Earth's Resources and Raw Materials  
• Global Tectonics
• Magmatic Processes
• Palaeoecology
• Structural Geology 2
• Volcanism in the Solar System.

You may also take modules in other subjects, chosen to complement your geological studies or to broaden your scientific background and skills.

Year 4

• a map and thesis or a field-based project.

You will also complete four 10-day Easter field classes, which will be assessed.

We are part of the Birkbeck/University College London Research School of Earth Sciences, providing access to a large research group on environmental and other issues.

Find out more about our research facilities.

We offer an MRes/PgDip in Earth Sciences.

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

Many part-time programmes place a strong, if not sole, emphasis on independent study. At Birkbeck, students are immediately welcomed into a wider learning community. Whether it's sharing ideas, pooling resources or commiserating over a challenging assignment, we believe nothing can replace the benefits of interacting with like-minded enthusiasts.

Most of our students attend classes three nights a week from 6pm–9pm. A typical class opens with a one-hour lecture followed by a practical lesson with a coffee break in-between.

Third and fourth year students are encouraged to pursue their own individual interests in supervised project work. In recent years, students have conducted research at numerous sites within the British Isles, France and Spain.

Fieldwork

We are one of the few departments that meets the Geological Society's recommendation of a minimum 100 days fieldwork in the BSc programme. This is a commitment that many full-time courses do not match and at present we are the only part-time geology programme that does. It's one of the strongest features of our degree and gives our students added confidence compared to graduates of more classroom-based programmes. No amount of classroom discussion on the subject of ancient sea-beds, for example, can really compare to the experience students have when they discover for themselves the evidence of wave ripples and fossils in a landscape.

Each year, students attend one major residential field course of 10–14 days. They also attend numerous one-day and weekend field trips and are encouraged to undertake a substantial amount of independent field research. Read all about our fieldwork opportunities.

Field courses are designed to complement the lecture programme and laboratory-based practical classes. In the field, students have the opportunity to cement their theoretical understanding of geology with practical experience. At the same time, they develop the skills they need to pursue independent research. We regularly update our field itineraries to keep up with changes in our curriculum. Currently, we take students to the Isle of Skye (Year 1), North-West Scotland (Year 2), Cyprus and Spain (Years 3 and 4).

Not only do field classes provide an invaluable opportunity for students to learn in a hands-on environment, they are also an important social occasion, where students have a change to get to know each other and enjoy informal contact with their tutors. Many a topical geological debate has continued into the wee hours in a hotel bar-room in a remote location of the globe.

• We suggest you apply as early as possible.
• Interviews mainly June–September.