Geology BSc(Hons)

Why choose this course?

Geology explores the processes that have shaped the Earth through its 4,600 million-year history, and uses the rock record to unravel that history. Our pure Geology degree provides a sound training in the core theory and skills of the subject, with a range of option modules at later levels of the course.

Watch a video to find out why you should study at Kingston University:

What will you study?

You will be introduced to the major branches of geology, investigating the dynamic Earth and its environment. You will learn about the internal structure of the Earth, how plate tectonics work, how igneous rocks are formed and how sedimentary basins evolve. Laboratory work and fieldwork, both in the UK and abroad, are a fundamental part of the curriculum.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Year 1

• The Dynamic Earth
• Historical Geology
• Understanding the Environment
• Rocks and Minerals
• Geological Structures and Sedimentary Rocks
• Hazards, Resources and Society
• Digital Earth

• Digital Earth

  Digital Earth introduces the underlying geographical skills of data collection, manipulation, analysis and presentation and the use of computers for dealing with digital spatial data. It focuses on the concepts and value of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in geosciences and the importance of digital spatial data in the modern geo-infrastructure.

  
   
• Investigating the Earth and Environment

Year 2

• Geology of Earth Resources

• Geology of Earth Resources

  This module focuses on the occurrence and distribution of the Earth's physical resources, including gemstones. It explores the geological controls of their evolution and the major theories for their genesis.

  
   
• Structural Geology and Tectonics
• History of Life
• Geoscience Fieldwork and Techniques
• Sedimentary Environments and Basins
• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

• Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology

  This module explores the evolution of the main igneous and metamorphic rock suites. It links fluid processes in the crust related to igneous and metamorphic activity to the evolution of gem and precious metal hosting pegmatites.

  
   
• Deep Earth Processes and Interactions
• Exploration and Evaluation Techniques

Year 3

• Geoscience Fieldwork
• Applied Sedimentology and Micropalaeontology
• Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
• Economic Geology
• Water Resource Management
• Independent Mapping Project
• Applied Geoscience
• Independent Research Project
• Gemorphology
• Processes in the Earth System

Malcolm Brown (Geology BSc(Hons), 1976).

Find out what Malcolm went on to achieve after studying at Kingston.

Paul Harbridge (Geology BSc(Hons), 1993) features in our Made in Kingston exhibition (Kingston's alumni wall of fame).

Find out what Paul went onto achieve after studying at Kingston.