Environmental Geophysics with a Year in Industry

Description

The University of East Anglia in Norwich offers a unique degree in Geophysical Sciences, encompassing not only the solid Earth but the whole Earth system and its interactions, which control our environment. We follow a complete and integrated physical approach to address the environmental issues that threaten our future. The Year in Industry programme involves four years of study with the first two years being spent at UEA following the BSc Geophysical Sciences programme. The third year is spent on an industrial placement with a relevant scientific placement provider. You will return to UEA for your fourth and final year.
The aim of the degree programme is to provide a quantitative, physical understanding of the whole Earth system and the processes that control our environment. The course takes students on a journey of discovery around the Earth studying the skies, seas and the Earth's deep interior and examining the surface to discover how the Earth has developed into what is seen today. Because Geophysics is a broad subject at the intersection of many disciplines, the degree programme is taught within the School of Environmental Sciences to enable students to choose a multidisciplinary path of study. The integrated approach stresses the links between wide-ranging subjects including solid Earth geophysics, meteorology, geophysical modelling, oceanography and geology. The course covers the various environmental threats and their impact on human society.
Links with industry and careers In addition to the support services provided by the University, UEA’s degree programmes in Geophysical Sciences benefit from our strong links with local and multinational companies, which provide valuable teaching support and sponsor two prizes for students enrolled in the degree programmes. Given the strategic proximity of UEA to the North Sea, all our students are invited to visit the facilities of local geophysical companies including marine geophysics surveying ships and to carry out practical work using industrial data and software.
A report by the British Geophysical Association in 2006 highlighted a national shortage of geophysicists, which is likely to persist or become more pressing in the future. Graduates of UEA’s programmes in Geophysical Sciences easily find employment and have gone to work for various local and multinational companies in the sectors of geophysical exploration and services, geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, environmental consultancy, amongst many others. By doing their undergraduate studies in Geophysical Sciences, students gain a wide range of skills that are highly-prized by employers.
Field Course Options and facilities Field courses and practical classes are an integral part of training our geophysical science students. You will be introduced to many different geological environments and learn to use a variety of technological equipment through the wide range of field courses available.
UEA has state of art equipment for teaching and research in Geophysics and has the support of a dedicated technician. Moreover, we use sophisticated computational modelling and massive global data sets to study the source process of earthquakes and to image the Earth's deep interior. We also investigate and advice on the phenomena related to seismic and volcanic hazards and risks including earthquake, volcanic and crustal deformation monitoring and numerate analyses of seismic and volanic hazard, vulnerability and risk.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 17480 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU £9,000; International £14,900

• English

Course Content

Example Course Modules

Year 1 compulsory

• Understanding the Dynamic Planet
• Sustainability in Society and Biodiversity in a Changing World
• Earths Chemical Processes and Atmosphere and Oceans
• Global Environmental Challenges
• Numerical Skills for Scientists.

Year 2 optional

• Ocean Circulation
• Meteorology
• Aquatic Ecology
• Environmental Politics and Policy Making
• Hydrology and Hydrogeology.

Year 3 compulsory

• Global Environmental Change
• Research and Field Skills
• Independent Project (BSc only)

Year 3 optional

• Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology
• Field Course to East Africa
• Earthquake and Volcanic Hazards
• Fossil Fuels.

Year In Industry

Completion of a Year in Industry programme will ensure you graduate with relevant work experience, putting you one step ahead of other students. This exciting degree programme provides you with this opportunity.

There is no greater asset in today’s competitive job market than relevant work experience. A Year in Industry will give you first-hand knowledge of not only the mechanics of how your chosen field operates but it will also greatly improve your chances of progressing within that sector as you seal valuable contacts and insight. These courses will also enhance your studies as theory is transformed into reality in a context governed by very real, time and financial constraints.

Our Industrial Links

We have well-established commercial connections throughout the UK and beyond. Over 100 of our students have undertaken year-long placements as part of this programme. The fine work undertaken by the students leads to an ever growing network of employers who have experienced the positive benefits which come from offering a placement opportunity. We can help you to tap into this network and also provide other ideas of organisations who you might contact. Our students have worked in environmental roles within Local and National Government, in SMEs and Multinationals, for Environmental Consultancies and Research Institutes and with Conservation groups and NGOs.

Financial Benefits

A big attraction to this type of course, apart from the enhanced career prospects, is that students will pay much reduced tuition fees for that year (see fees and funding tab). In addition, of course, you are typically paid by the placement provider during the year, a great way to help fund your studies.

For the latest on financial arrangements for our Year in Industry students please visit the UEA Finance webpage.

How it Works

The Year in Industry degree programmes are four years in length with the work placement taking place during your third year. Placements constitute a minimum of nine months full-time employment and a maximum of 14 months.

In Years 1 and 2, we will help you prepare for an industrial placement by running workshops to raise awareness of key issues and to encourage networking. We will make sure you are fully aware of all the organisations who have previously hosted our placement students. We will also advertise all current placement opportunities of which we are aware. Our Careers service will be on hand to help with your applications. With this support, you will take the lead in securing your own placement - not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field of Environmental Sciences, it will also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you will require after graduation. Throughout the work placement itself, you will keep in close contact with an assigned mentor at UEA and your mentor will also visit you in your place of work during the year. In your placement year you will also undertake a Work Based Learning module which will help you to reflect on and get the very most from the placement experience.

Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers and students will be expected to source these placements themselves. If you were unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year you will have the option to apply to be transferred onto the equivalent three-year degree programme without a Year in Industry.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 78

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A Level: ABB (including A level Mathematics)
• International Baccalaureate: 32 (incl 3 HL subjects at grade 5 to include HL Maths)
• Scottish Highers: AABBB (including Maths)
• Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB (including Maths)
• Irish Leaving Certificate: AABBBB (including Maths)
• Access Course: See below
• European Baccalaureate: 75% overall (including Maths)

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

A level Mathematics or equivalent.
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirement. Please contact us for further information.
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3, including 12 Level 3 Maths credits.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have Mathematics and English at minimum of Grade C or above at GCSE Level.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of East Anglia.