BSc (Hons) Geology with Physical Geography course preparation

Suggested reading

You’ll be given lots of information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many ebooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.

In the meantime, there are a couple of books you might like to read before starting your degree if you can. We don’t recommend rushing out to buy texts before you arrive. But if you can pick some up second hand, borrow from a library or access online, we suggest:

• Armstrong, D., Mugglestone, F., Richards, R., Stratton, F., Davies, S., Fry, M., & Shelton, T. (Eds.). (2008). OCR Geology AS & A2 student book. Heinemann.
• Hunter, A., & Easterbrook, G. (2004). The Geological History of the British Isles. Open University Worldwide.
• Grotzinger, J., Jordan, T.H. (2014). Understanding Earth. Freeman
• Plummer, C., Carlson, D., Hammersley, D. (2012). Physical Geology. 14th Ed. McGraw Hill.

Suggested materials

One of the more exciting and stimulating parts of your degree course is fieldwork, where classroom learning is put into practice. So, if you don’t already have them, we’d recommend investing in:

• a waterproof rucksack
• waterproof jacket and trousers
• walking boots or stout footwear with ankle support

You will be out on residential fieldwork in the first few weeks of your course.

Useful websites

If you’re thinking about a future career in Geology take a look at the Geological Society website.

You might also find useful information at the Royal Geographical Society website.

Useful videos to watch

This is an honest and realistic description of a career in geosciences, have a look.

Things to do now

The first thing to do is add an important date to your diary. Your first residential field class will be from 21-23 October 2024. Three full days spent in the field learning about the environment around you, as well as getting to know some of the Geo staff and your new coursemates.

You should also try to:

1. Read a chapter of Understanding Earth, by Grotzinger & Jordan
2. Have a go at the Geological Society’s assessment activity to determine if Earth has entered a new Geological Epoch, the ‘Anthropocene’
3. Listen to a series of podcasts from The Geological Society’s Lyell Meeting about Mass Extinctions
4. Take a look at our UniSkills webpage to prepare for your first year
5. Learn a little bit more about the rocks around us. What do they look like? How are they formed? What are their uses?
6. Learn about the plate tectonic story of an area near you with the Geological Society’s ‘Plate Tectonic Stories

Listen to some podcasts

Listen to some of the National Geographic’s ‘Overheard Conversations’ podcast, with a different uploaded each week.

Try some research

1. Learn a little bit more about the rocks around us. What do they look like? How are they formed? What are their uses?
2. Learn about the plate tectonic story of an area near you with the Geological Society’s ‘Plate Tectonic Stories’.

Your short task

Geology is defined as being the study of the Earth, encompassing the materials that it is made of, the structure of and processes acting upon those materials.  The subject can concern itself with fundamental processes such as Earth’s internal processes resulting in volcanoes and earthquakes; to natural resources and the importance of discovering and managing resources for the future.

And, as Geology is a topical subject, and we believe that if you look closely at the world around you, you will find a geological connection. The following activity will help to demonstrate just how important Geology is:

• Look at the daily news headlines, select a few and draw a mind map thinking about how they relate to Geology. You should try to consider key geological themes such as: location; place; processes; human-environment interaction.