Master of Science in Geophysics

at University of Southampton - Waterfront Campus United Kingdom

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.

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.

On this master's you'll work alongside experts in their field as you learn how to become an oceanographer. You'll learn how they develop their understanding of marine systems, from coasts to the vast unexplored deep ocean.

You’ll be taught by researchers at the forefront of their disciplines, contributing to some of today’s biggest challenges, such as:

• Sea-level rise
• Ocean pollution
• Sustainable fisheries
• Climate change
• Deep-sea mining
• Marine biodiversity

You’ll benefit from the centre’s modern equipment, laboratory facilities and dedicated teaching vessel, Callista. Our flexible course structure means you can mix and match your module choices to adapt your studies around career goals

This course also allows you to specialise your studies in a specific area.

Study theme options include:

• Marine Biology and Ecology
• Physical Oceanography and Climate Dynamics
• Marine Biogeochemistry
• Marine Geology and Geophysics

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

With this 3-year marine biology course, you'll explore all forms of marine life. You'll gain advanced knowledge and practical skills to solve environmental challenges. You'll spend time on our research vessels carrying out boat-based field work. You'll graduate with highly-respected biological and oceanographic skills for a range of careers. You could work in research, wildlife management or conservation.

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

The facilities are exceptional at Southampton. You can go from classroom or lab to our research vessels within minutes on our Waterfront Campus.

You'll be part of one of the largest marine science communities in Europe, the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). With this course, you can:

• Learn the most up-to-date marine science knowledge
• Get the opportunity to conduct supervised, original research
• Find out about the ecology of marine organisms, including feeding, reproduction, behaviour and migrations
• 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).

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).

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.

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).

Explore the mysteries of the planet and develop an in-depth understanding of the Earth as a complex system. On this integrated master's degree in geology, you'll cover all aspects of geology, from climate change to geoengineering. You'll gain the knowledge and skills for a high-level career in geoscience or to continue your scientific research.

This geology master's will provide you with extensive, in-depth knowledge of subjects such as:

• physical volcanology
• plate boundary tectonics
• natural resources and sustainable development
• marine geology
• environmental geoscience
• current and past climate change

In the final year, you'll choose a topic and carry out your own research investigation. You'll work with our academic experts and world-class analytical facilities.

After you graduate, 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.

As a master in geology 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

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

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.