Why choose Geology, featuring Professor Frances Wall, Head of Camborne School of Mines.
Accredited by The Geological Society
Book your place at our June 2012 Open Day
The next Open Day at the Cornwall Campus will take place on Saturday 23rd June. Book your place now.
This programme provides knowledge and understanding of a wide range of applied geoscience disciplines that are of relevance to potential employers. It is best suited to students who wish to develop as broad a portfolio of skills as possible. It is possible to transfer onto the BSc Engineering Geology and Geotechnics programme at any point up until the end of Year 2.
Both degree programmes have a common first and second year to give you a thorough grounding in the major principles of Geology before the specialist modules in the third year. First-year modules give you a foundation in geology, together with an overview of earth system science and the fundamentals of mineralogy, stratigraphy, geological maps, palaeontology and surveying.
In Year 2, core geological skills are developed in sedimentology, igneous and metamorphic geology and structural geology and include a substantial amount of laboratory-based practical work. You will develop your skills in geological data collection and analysis during field classes in the UK.
In the summer vacation you will undertake a four-week project that involves the collection and analysis of geological or related data. This can be done through a company placement, group project or individual project. The cost of this work varies according to the project chosen; students may be paid for a company placement, whereas if you choose a project you may have to pay for elements such as travel and subsistence.
In Year 3, you’ll study specialist advanced modules that relate to your choice of degree. You will report on your vacation project and also carry out a research project focusing on an area of special interest. The applied field geology module takes the form of a residential field class in southern Spain and provides a practical synthesis of many of the modules covered in Years 2 and 3.
Accreditation
Our degrees are accredited by the The Geological Society. An accredited degree will reduce the amount of experience required for applications for Chartered Geologist (CGeol) and Chartered Scientist (CSci). Accredited status provides added assurance to prospective students that a department's teaching is of the highest quality, and has been approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists.
I chose to come over from Canada to attend the University of Exeter. The small Cornwall Campus is what caught my attention and made me consider it. The fact there are so many outdoor activities to do right on your doorstep is what sold it to me.
I’m studying Geology. We have a small class and a lot of hands on learning. We have many field trips to put all our learning into practice and a strong support system all around us. When I graduate I hope to get into exploration geology. After being lectured for three years by people with so much experience, this degree will definitely give me the foundations needed to get a job in my chosen field. The people I have met while attending the University are friends for life.
Jess Pitman, BSc Applied Geology, Canada
I would always suggest to anyone to choose a university based on the course it offers.
Camborne School of Mines delivers superb geology programmes, with excellent academic staff and exceptional departmental facilities. There is also the chance to get some considerable funding from scholarships, awards and sponsorship.
Tom Styles
Recent Geology graduate
The University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines was my first choice to study Geology because of its brilliant reputation worldwide, as well as its location close to some of the world’s best Geology sites here in Cornwall. This has helped my studies so much as being able to see many different types of rocks so easily really enhances the learning of the subject.
The standard of teaching at the University is very high. The lecturers are very professional but also approachable for questions during lectures and in times between them. There is ample technology to utilise in the aid of teaching, ranging from microscopes to the machinery in the mineral processing labs.
One of the best choices in my life was to study Geology at Camborne School of Mines. The student life on the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus is unlike any other. The laidback nature of the Cornish is very much reflected in the staff and students on the campus where a brilliant mix of socialising and work makes for a vibrant student life with a beautiful country and sea side backdrop. The brilliant thing about living in Cornwall is how interchangeable the lifestyle can be. If you want to have a quiet night in, or even a quiet night out there are places which will accommodate you. On the other hand if you want to live a busy lifestyle or have a night out with your friends in a club then that is fully achievable as well.
After I have completed my degree course I hope to be able to move into the exploration arm of Geology. I love the idea of being able to get out into the field and utilise the knowledge I have learnt to discover new economic resources to keep the world running.
Richard Battison
BSc Applied Geology (2nd Year)
I studied at the Tremough campus at the Camborne School of Mines – it’s a world-renowned mining school with a beautiful campus not far from the beach. The course has really improved my organisational skills and it’s great to be able to work outside. I’ve found the people to be really friendly and the student life is exactly what I needed – you can’t beat Cornwall!
