Master of Science in Geophysics

at University of Southampton - Waterfront Campus United Kingdom

The MSci Geophysics master's degree at Southampton is a wide-ranging degree, which combines many of the sciences. We have strong links with industry, excellent facilities and offer many fieldwork opportunities. You'll graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in anything from oil and gas exploration to offshore surveys.

Geophysics is the science of applying physical principles to help us understand our world. You’ll work across Maths, Physics, and Geology, with the opportunity to take modules in astronomy, geography, and archaeology.

At Southampton, you'll learn about current geophysics and gain a range of geophysical, geological and mathematical skills. These include practical field skills and computer programming.

This broad course is one of only a few in the UK that combines terrestrial and marine geophysics, and offers great flexibility.

You can shape the course to your personal interests or career plans by choosing options that explore subjects like:

• current and past climate change
• tides and waves
• hydrocarbon exploration
• our unique seafloor surveying module

Depending on your grades, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner universities. There you'll take specialist modules and projects that are not available in the UK.

As part of this course you'll:

• study at our pioneering research institution and waterfront campus, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS)
• use our modern, industry-standard, labs and teaching equipment, including the National Oceanographic Library
• take field courses in the UK and abroad, where you'll design and carrying out your own surveys
• benefit from our many links to geophysics and geology companies

Accreditation by The Geological Society of London means that our teaching is of the highest quality and has been approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists.

Explore the evolving Earth system through the lens of sustainable environmental management. This environmental geoscience MSci combines geology, geography, oceanography and environmental science, giving you the freedom to specialise in subjects ranging from environmental law to marine pollution.

As an environmental geoscientist, you'll be able to assess the impact of human activity on the planet and society whilst working to mitigate this impact and find solutions for our future. You'll graduate with practical and transferable skills that are sought after across environmental science industries and other sectors.

This 4-year course will develop and enhance your knowledge beyond the BSc, and provide a greater emphasis on individual research skills and project work.

You'll study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world's largest centres for research and technology development in ocean and Earth science. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to work on research projects with NOCS scientists, whilst also having access to specialist facilities.

You'll develop your practical and professional skills by:

• Participating in marine and terrestrial field trips and residential field courses
• Boosting your career prospects with our industry links in geological and marine companies
• Building your data collection, interpretation and digital skill set, including through the use of geographic information systems (GIS)
• Accessing our range of facilities, including over 150 laboratories and the National Oceanographic Library

On this integrated master's degree in Environmental Geoscience, you’ll study topics like:

• Terrestrial and marine pollution and environmental impact
• Environmental law and science policy
• Earth resource management
• Natural hazards

This programme will also allow you to specialise in terrestrial, or marine sciences, giving you the freedom to explore the elements of the programme that interest you most.

Explore the different processes that drive the global Earth system, on land, in the ocean, in the crust and in the atmosphere. You’ll combine geology, geography and oceanography, and develop a wide range of practical and transferable skills.

Our interdisciplinary degree will open up exciting career options in a range of fields. As an environmental geoscientist you’ll be able to assess the impact of human activity on the planet and society and work to mitigate this impact and find solutions for our future.

With this degree you'll discover the fundamental science that underpins the global Earth system. You'll study different disciplines and gain an extensive knowledge of Earth, marine and environmental sciences. You can choose to study a Geoscience or Marine pathway through this programme.

The human impact on the environment and its natural resources is an important focus for the course. In your third year you can specialise in either marine or terrestrial aspects of the Earth system.

You'll develop a variety of practical and professional skills relating to:

• Data collection in the field and laboratory
• Data interpretation and digital skills
• Environmental assessment and management

In Year 3 your research project will give you the chance to combine knowledge and practice working in a world-class research environment.

You’ll study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). It is one of the world’s largest centres devoted to research, teaching and technology development in ocean and Earth science. Here you'll have the unique opportunity to work on research projects with NOCS scientists and have access to specialist facilities.

Learn how the Earth developed and discover the physical processes at work in, on and around it. This course builds on the BSc by giving you the chance to carry out both a geology mapping project and a geophysics research project. You'll graduate with advanced skills that are in demand across science and industry, whether you want to go on to uncover new natural resources, shape climate change policy or lead offshore surveys.

On this MSci Geophysics and Geology master's, you'll work across several science disciplines and explore subjects such as:

• volcanology - the study of volcanoes, lava, magma and related phenomena
• plate tectonics
• hydrocarbons
• current and past climate change

You’ll also develop a range of geophysical, geological and maths skills. These include practical field expertise and computer programming.

Depending on your grades, you'll have the chance to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities. There you'll take specialist modules and projects that are not available in the UK.

As part of this course you'll:

• study at our pioneering research institution and waterfront campus, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS)
• use our modern, industry-standard, labs and teaching equipment, including the National Oceanographic Library
• take field courses in the UK and abroad, where you'll design and carrying out your own surveys
• benefit from our many professional links across the Earth science industries

You'll graduate with a master's degree in geophysics and geology.

On this BSc Geology course, you'll understand the nature, dynamics and evolution of the processes that shaped the Earth over the past 4 billion years. You can visit world-famous sites of geological interest, and access facilities, including the largest Earth and marine sciences library in Europe. You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge to tackle global challenges, or continue your studies.

Geology holds the key to many issues we face today, including the balance between using natural resources and protecting the environment.

You'll graduate as a bachelor of geology, and your expertise will be in high demand in the geological industry. Whether you choose to focus on the need for raw materials, the environmental sector or engineering geology.

With a geology degree you can:

• gain a thorough grounding in all aspects of the subject
• examine past climate events to help predict climate change
• develop ways to discover new natural resources and exploit known ones responsibly
• understand natural hazards and help avoid them
• study volcanoes and the behaviour of magma

Depending on your grades, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner universities. There you'll take specialist modules and projects that are not available in the UK.

As part of this course you can:

• study in a world-leading research institution, National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS)
• access superb, industry-standard facilities, including the National Oceanographic Library and 150 laboratories
• go on field trips and residential field courses, both in the UK and abroad
• gain career benefits through our many links to geological companies
• develop transferable skills such as teamwork, written and oral communication, planning, presentation, data collection and analysis

Our Geology courses are accredited by The Geological Society of London, meaning our teaching is of the highest quality and approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists.

You'll learn how marine plants and animals interact with their environment and respond to change. The course will give you knowledge about the biology of the marine environment, and how it relates to physical and chemical oceanography. Theory, field trips and lab work will prepare you for a career in research, wildlife management or government agencies.

This degree examines the biology of marine organisms within their environments, from intertidal coasts to deep sea and hydrothermal vent systems.

You'll become part of one of the largest marine science communities in Europe through the world-leading research institution, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). Our research vessels are only a 10-minute walk from the lecture theatres. Boat-based fieldwork is an important part of the programme.

With this course, you can:

• Gain detailed knowledge of marine biota and the physics, chemistry and sedimentology that influence them
• Cover a broad variety of topics, from hydrothermal vents to coastal lagoons
• Take part in a full fieldwork programme including residential trips in the first 2 years
• Complete an independent research project working alongside active research staff – this will set you up for career in further research or a specialised masters degree
• Select modules depending on your area of interest – for example, you can study palaeobiology and explore how fossils are used to study ecology
• Choose from a variety of semester abroad study opportunities

This degree is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

This course will give you knowledge about the biology of the marine environment and how it relates to physical and chemical oceanography. You'll cover advanced topics like data management for biologists and advanced oceanography fieldwork. This will prepare you for a range of careers such as research and wildlife management, or for work in government agencies.

This degree examines the biology of marine organisms within their environments, from intertidal coasts to deep sea and hydrothermal vents systems. You'll learn how marine plants and animals interact with their environment and respond to change.

You'll become part of one of the largest marine science communities in Europe through the world-leading research institution, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). Our research vessels are only a 10-minute walk from the lecture theatres. Boat-based fieldwork is an important part of the programme.

With this course, you can:

• Gain detailed knowledge of marine biota and the physics, chemistry and sedimentology that influence them
• Cover a broad variety of topics, from hydrothermal vents to coastal lagoons
• Take part in a full fieldwork programme including residential trips
• Complete an independent research project working alongside active research staff
• Get practical experience of doing experiments, learning to adapt to sea state and weather conditions, collect samples, and use ocean instrumentation
• Select optional modules depending on your area of interest – for example, you can study palaeobiology and explore how fossils are used to study ecology
• Choose from a variety of semester abroad study opportunities

This degree is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

You'll study all forms of marine life and learn how to solve environmental challenges on this master's in marine biology. You'll work on our research vessels in Southampton, and discover the marine environment in the Galapagos Islands or Thailand. Graduate with the ability to work in research, wildlife management or conservation.

You'll study biology and ecology within the specific context of marine systems. The course modules will improve your biological sciences, chemistry, physics and mathematics knowledge.

Our unique fieldwork locations will offer you the opportunity to broaden your field research beyond the environments found around the UK.

The facilities are exceptional at Southampton. You can go from classroom or lab to our research vessels within minutes on our Waterfront Campus. Be part of the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the largest marine science communities in Europe.

Depending on your grades, you can apply to study abroad at one of our partner universities. There you'll take specialist modules and projects that are not available in the UK.

With this course, you can:

• Get the opportunity to conduct supervised original research
• Examine the ecology of marine organisms, including feeding, reproduction, behaviour and migrations
• Discover a range of topics from hydrothermal vents to coastal lagoons
• Get extensive practical laboratory skills training at all levels
• Take part in relevant field experience and training throughout the programme
• Choose from a variety of semester abroad study opportunities

This degree is accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).

This joint honours BSc Geophysics and Geology degree will give you an expert understanding of the Earth, whether you want to go on to uncover new natural resources, shape climate change policy or lead offshore surveys. You'll gain an in-depth knowledge of how to use geophysics and geology to investigate the physical processes at work in, on and around our planet. You'll graduate with advanced skills that are in demand across science and industry.

The geophysical focus of this course includes exploration of the Earth's internal composition, oceans and atmosphere. Topics with a more geological focus include plate tectonics, rock formation and natural hazards.

You can specialise in a wide range of subject areas, including:

• seafloor surveying and exploration
• the Earth's long-term evolution
• mantle-melting and the formation of volcanoes
• oceanography

As part of this course you'll:

• study at our pioneering research institution and waterfront campus, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS)
• use our modern, industry-standard, labs and teaching equipment, including the National Oceanographic Library
• take field courses in the UK and abroad, where you'll design and carrying out your own surveys
• benefit from our many professional links across the Earth science industries

On this unique 2-year Marine Environment and Resources MSc, you’ll study at the University of Southampton and partner universities in France, Spain and Belgium. You’ll develop the in-depth knowledge and skills to assess and manage the marine environment, putting you in a great position for a successful career in the marine sector.

On this master’s course you’ll split your time between the University of Southampton and our partner universities in the Marine Environment and Resources (MER) Consortium:

• Universidad del Pais Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Spain
• Université de Bordeaux 1, France
• University of Liège, Belgium

You’ll develop your ability to think through complex issues, analyse the marine environment and its resources, and ensure that marine development is sustainable.

Through compulsory modules you’ll gain a thorough knowledge of biological, physical and chemical oceanography, as well as marine geology.

A wide range of optional modules will allow you to develop your own specialism. Typical subjects include:

• integrated coastal zone management
• the assessment of marine ecosystem health
• protection and recovery of marine and estuary environments
• competitive and responsible fisheries management

You could also choose to learn about topics such as deep sea ecology, large-scale ocean processes, and satellite oceanography.

The course is taught in English, but you’ll be able to study local languages for free during your time with our partner universities.

The course was created in response to the EU’s European Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directive, designed to better protect the European marine environment and the resources upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend.