Undergraduate course
Our typical offer
From the Earth’s surface to its core our Physical Geography and Geology degree programme explores the forces that shape our planet while tackling today's critical challenges. Combine an in-depth understanding of geological processes with modules on climate, river processes, glaciers and deserts.
Dr Martin Stokes
Deputy Head of School
GEES1103
Glaciers, Deserts and Climate Change
20 credits
Deserts are expanding. The Arctic is melting. The 21st Century is a time of extraordinary transition. Here we show you why. We journey back in time to explore how and why climate has changed over thousands of years. We examine why cold places have such remarkable features and what they can tell us. We delve into the drivers of our driest environments. We ask what agency humans have had in these places and since when.
50% Remotely delivered assessments
50% Tests
GEES1104
Water, Landscapes and Environmental Management
20 credits
Explore the dynamic world of physical geography through a series of environmental themes centred on the role of water as an agent of landscape change, and a vital natural resource. Learn how to collect and analyse real-world data by combining fieldwork, lab techniques, and spatial analysis to build your quantitative skills. This hands-on module enables you to connect theory to the environment we live in.
50% Practicals
50% Tests
GEES1201
Sustainable Geoscience
20 credits
Kick off your degree by gaining an understanding of the important role of geoscientists in solving today’s biggest environmental issues (e.g. the energy transition, sustainable development) alongside exploring the fundamentals of Earth history and structure (e.g. plate tectonics, climate change, evolution of life). Through field, tutorial and lecture-based teaching this module will support your transition to university.
60% Coursework
40% Practicals
GEES1202
Earth Materials and Resources
20 credits
Discover Earth’s building blocks and how dynamic Earth processes shape geologic materials. You will gain the observational skills needed to unravel how the Earth works, including getting hands on using our 5G-enabled microscope lab. You will learn to read geological maps and use them to decipher the sequence of geological events that have shaped our planet’s history. See the Earth in a whole new light!
70% Coursework
30% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES1203
Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
40 credits
Develop your knowledge of climate and hazards. Through hands on practicals, field work and lectures learn how sedimentary rocks and fossils illuminate past, present and future climatic and oceanographic changes, and use maps and GIS to explore landscapes, earthquakes and volcanoes. Consolidate knowledge in the field, putting into practice new skills and seeing hands on the effects of geohazards on people and places.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Tests
GEES2000
Placement Preparation
0 credits
This module explores the role of placements, work experience and volunteering for enhancing employability whilst at university and as a future graduate. It considers placement options (types, durations) and supports students in developing applications and preparing for interviews.
100% Assessments
GEES2201
The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
40 credits
Explore the Earth’s surface and shallow subsurface now and through Deep Time. Develop the skills and knowledge used by geoscientists to find and manage resources like groundwater or geothermal energy, store energy or hazardous fluids, build safe infrastructure and understand hazardous phenomena and climate impacts. Work on real-world projects that integrate remote sensing, geophysics, field and lab-based investigations.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2202
The Earth's Interior and Resources
40 credits
Investigate the Earth’s Interior to understand how magmatism, tectonics and fluid flow control the development of sustainable resources. Through a case-study approach you will combine state-of-the-art rock microscopy, structural geology and geophysics to evaluate the Earths internal processes. Fieldwork and seismic imaging with industry software will allow you to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.
50% Coursework
25% Practicals
25% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2305
Weather and Climate
20 credits
Studying weather and climate is not just for scientists—it's essential for all of us. In this module you'll gain intellectual and practical skills that will help you understand the drivers of weather and climate. You’ll explore the scientific evidence behind current trends and predictions, equipping you with an understanding of how weather and climate can impact all walks of life and are critical for a sustainable future.
50% Coursework
50% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2104
Quaternary to Anthropocene
20 credits
Discover how and when our planet moved from a state where natural processes controlled ecological conditions and the climatic system, to the human-dominated environment we inhabit (the 'Anthropocene'). You will learn about these changes from local to global scales, and develop new skills in generating, interpreting and presenting long-term ecological data to identify and quantify changes in the biosphere.
50% Coursework
50% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES2105
Catchment and River Processes
20 credits
Explore the science behind how rivers and their catchments co-function. You will develop an understanding of how they respond to important issues such as climate change and resource management. The fieldwork and workshops have been co-designed with professional bodies so that you will develop professional practical expertise in how to address serious river catchment issues such as erosion and flooding. .
100% Coursework
GEES3000
Placement
0 credits
This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.
100% Coursework
GEES3201
Geoscience Research Project
40 credits
Realise your passion for Earth science by conducting a research project on an exciting scientific question. Choose a project from a wide range of Earth Science topics (e.g. volcanology, palaeontology, remote sensing, structural geology). Use cutting-edge fieldwork, lab techniques, or digital tools to explore your chosen area, gaining hands-on experience and developing valuable subject specific and transferable skills.
85% Coursework
15% Practicals
GEES3202
Professional Field and Core Analysis
20 credits
Ready to rock the world of geology? Get set to apply your skills in the field and the lab, working solo and within a dynamic team. You'll dive into geological mapping and rock core analysis, using top-notch industry tools. A hands-on experience will help you master job tendering, data analysis, and reporting for real commercial clients. It's not just learning, it's about becoming a pro and preparing for an awesome career!
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3001
Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability
20 credits
Industry experience is a key quality employers look for in university graduates. This module provides opportunities for students to develop transferrable employability skills through a short programme of graduate-level work experience in an organisation of their choice. Past students have used this module to test academic ideas in the workplace; learn new technical and employability skills; and trial future career paths.
70% Coursework
30% Practicals
GEES3002
Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential
20 credits
Embark on exploration of critical, real-world challenges in an exciting field context. Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to tackle a core issue through a research project of your own creation. Sharpen your existing expertise and develop important transdisciplinary skills that prepare you to face career challenges beyond university with confidence and innovation.
100% Coursework
GEES3105
Dryland Change
20 credits
The world’s drylands, or deserts, cover at least a third of the Earth’s land surface. You’ll learn how these dynamic, vulnerable landscapes experience dramatic changes throughout history and the present day, via lectures, workshops and practicals. You’ll build expertise in reading the landscape to explore past changes, and explore how we can sustainably address desertification, which affects the livelihoods of billions.
50% Coursework
50% Remotely delivered assessments
GEES3106
Long-term Environmental Change
20 credits
Discover how lessons from the past can help tackle today’s biggest environmental and societal challenges. Through workshops and lectures, you’ll explore 'grand environmental challenges,' placing current issues in a long-term context - spanning decades to millennia. You’ll also reflect on the power of long-term thinking in shaping sustainability and environmental management for the future.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3107
Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges
20 credits
Investigate the challenges facing some of the Earth’s most climatically extreme landscapes and their societies. Explore rapid landscape evolution, climate-driven geohazards, and sustainable solutions for high latitude and altitude environments. Build practical skills to measure environmental change, quantify risks, and create mitigation strategies that address these challenges and our ability to withstand them.
60% Coursework
40% Practicals
GEES3109
Big Data & Spatial Analytics
20 credits
Explore the power of spatial analysis in this practical module. You’ll develop hands-on skills in data processing, management, and programming while diving into the world of big data. Learn to acquire, process, analyse, and visualise datasets through real-world examples from the natural and social sciences. Gain essential expertise and confidence, supported by data, to unlock new insights for societal challenges.
100% Coursework
GEES3204
Environmental and Resource Geoscience
20 credits
Sharpen your skills ready for industry, tackling some of the most urgent environmental issues facing the world today, from pervasive mining pollution in post-industrial catchments to the role of the subsurface in decarbonisation. You will engage in hands-on workshops, solving problems associated with past industry, as well as getting to grips with state-of-the-art software and real-world datasets.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
GEES3205
Tectonics and Geohazards
20 credits
Explore one of the World’s most tectonically active and hazardous regions to understand the cause and impact of tectonics on hazards (earthquakes, volcanics, landslides, tsunami, floods) and resources (water, minerals, energy). Develop skills to evaluate the influence of active tectonics on these hazards, either through an overseas field trip (e.g. California) or through application of GIS and remote sensing.
100% Coursework
This degree has challenged me in the best possible ways, helped me discover strengths I didn’t know I had, and provided experiences I’ll carry with me for life. From my year abroad and the incredible field trips, to gaining industry experience and working alongside such passionate staff and peers, I’ve made lifelong memories. I truly couldn’t recommend studying Geology at Plymouth more highly to anyone considering it.
Dr Matt Bailey Ross
Lecturer in Environmental and Engineering Geology
Dr Uwe Balthasar
Lecturer in Palaeontology
Professor Sarah Boulton
Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of School - Marketing and Recruitment
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
I can confidently say that the University has provided me with an incredible education, invaluable experiences, and a clear career path.
We’re regulars to the Geo-Environmental Careers Fair, and there’s a reason we keep coming back – the engagement from the Plymouth students is second to none! So many questions and curiosity in what we do. And the connections we make are often followed through to placements and permanent positions.
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Full-time
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Accredited by The Geological Society of London
