Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title Code Credit rating Mandatory/optional
Understanding the Earth EART11100 40 Mandatory
The Natural Scientist's Toolkit EART11200 40 Mandatory
Practical and Professional Skills Development EART11300 40 Mandatory
Course content for year 2
In year 2 you will tailor your studies to your own academic interests by focusing on a particular aspect of the Earth and planetary sciences. Each pathway consists of the series of core units and extends topics from your first year, introducing new areas in your area of specialisation.
For an indicative list of the course units for each pathway, please click on the links below:
Geochemistry - Understanding the chemistry of the Earth is fundamental to challenges such as managing resources like precious minerals and oil, understanding climate change at the molecular level, and the control of pollution. In this pathway you will also study the composition and evolution of the planets, melting and mineral reactions in Earth's interior, and Earth's (bio)geochemical cycles.
Energy and Resources - In this pathway you'll study units that are focussed on resource formation, ranging from metal and hydrocarbon resources, to nuclear energy and groundwater resources. You will also study sustainable and efficient extraction of resources, while acquiring the skills suitable for a thriving energy and resources job market.
Geology with Physical Geography - In this pathway you will study the processes that have shaped the Earth's surface and its landforms, and how humans and societies have learned to exploit and protect themselves from these phenomena.
Students on the Year in Industry programme are responsible for finding their placement during the second year. You will be supported in this by our careers service and the industrial placement academic tutor, who will offer help in finding a placement and advice on CV preparation, the application process and interview/assessment centre preparation. Our annual careers fair involves many placement providers and you will also have the opportunity to receive advice from students who have been successful in obtaining placements in previous years.
Eligibility for continuation on this MEarthSci programme is at our discretion, based on your general performance and your second year mark. If you are not eligible you will be transferred to the BSc programme.
Course content for year 3
Your third year will be spent undertaking a year-long placement. Students who take this degree will find themselves in the role of a real employee within a company working on an agreed project. During these placements, students are paid as a normal employee would be and are subject to the internal structures and normal pressures of the workplace. Whilst on placement you will be supported by a visiting academic tutor, who will keep in contact with you and your placement supervisor, as well as visiting you during the year. There will be a small element of core earth and planetary science material to keep you up to speed with your pathway topics, taught by online distance learning units and supported remotely by specialist subject tutors. At the end of your placement, you will be assessed by your academic tutor and industrial placement supervisor.
Course content for year 4
On returning to Manchester for your fourth and final year, you'll carry out an extended individual research project working alongside world-leading scientists using state-of-the-art research facilities, study subject-related units, and attend specialist lectures.
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