About This Course
Like its BSc counterpart, this four year degree focuses on the study of marine sediments within an Earth system science context. You will learn about sedimentary processes the origin, transport and deposition of particles in the marine environment, and marine sediments and rocks, in particular those formed in the past 2 million years, but also further back in time. This MSci differs from the BSc course as it places emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge of direct relevance to the offshore survey and hydrocarbon industry.
Geological Oceanographers are required to tackle issues such as offshore site investigation related to renewable energy infrastructure and oil and gas exploration, climate and sea-level change, and coastal erosion. These are challenging and buoyant areas of development; there is currently a lack of qualified people for these roles. After graduation, you will not only have a deep understanding of the ‘earth system’, but you will also have a broad range of practical skills in sedimentology, geophysics and geotechnics. The data integration skills we teach on this degree are in short supply in the offshore industry, this means you will have a good chance of getting a great job after you finish your degree.
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 the School of Ocean Sciences is very well recognized amongst practicing professionals as 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.
Course Content
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 field-work write-ups and your own research. In the final year you will work on a practical research project throughout both semesters. Practical work is an important element and includes free day trips as well as the residential field course in South Wales.
In the third and final years, you will be invited to a series of guest lectures, and often interviews with prospective employees; and be offered trips to various national industry meetings (e.g. oceanology, ocean business).
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Careers
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.
EXPLORE MORE IN OCEAN SCIENCES
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.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
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