This degree focuses on the study of marine sediments within an Earth system science context. It is concerned with sedimentary processes (the origin, transport and deposition of particles in the marine environment), and with marine sediments and rocks, in particular those formed in the past 2 million year, but also further back in time. Geological Oceanographers are required to tackle issues such as climate and sea-level change, coastal erosion, marine pollution, waterway siltation and offshore engineering related to cable/pipelines routes, renewable energy infrastructure and oil and gas exploration. We are one of the largest university centres teaching marine sciences in the UK and among the biggest in Europe.

The geologists on our staff have expertise in the relevant subject areas and we have strong links with the offshore and hydrocarbon industry.

We are unique in the UK in offering the sedimentology / geophysics / geotechnics combination of subject areas – and we are very well recognised in the industry for providing high quality employees to the offshore sector.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?    

• Our expertise covers all aspects of the marine sciences, with strengths in physical oceanography and the geosciences. Local fieldwork takes place in the UNESCO designated GeoMôn geopark, Snowdonia National Park, the Menai Strait and the Irish Sea.
• Facilities include a research ship, supercomputers and state-of-the art survey equipment and oceanographic moorings for data collection.
• Our global links include the National Oceanography Centre, the Met Office, and the offshore, hydrocarbon and marine renewables industries.
• This degree places emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge that will be useful to industry.  

This course involves up to 25-35 hours per week of lectures, practicals laboratory and fieldwork, private study, tutorials and project work. You will also complete literature reviews, exercises, essays, practical and fieldwork write-ups and your own research.

In the final year you will work on a dissertation. Practical work and fieldwork are major elements and include free day trips to local sites, a free research cruise and a residential field course.

Assessment methods vary - most modules combine elements of continuous assessment and formal examination.

This course is ideal preparation for careers in offshore site investigation related to renewable energy infrastructure and the offshore industry, research, environmental impact assessment, the water supply industry, coastal zone management, government advisory bodies and the scientific media.

Ocean Science at Bangor is unique in encompassing the study of all aspects of the global marine environment, from estuaries and coasts to the deep ocean. We are one of the largest university centres teaching marine sciences in Britain and one of the biggest in Europe.