Environmental Geoscience

Environmental geoscience is a discipline that applies the tools of geology and physical geography to understanding how the Earth's surface environments function and how they are being altered by natural processes and human activity. It examines the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and the interfaces between them, developing an integrated understanding of geological mapping, volcanology, plate tectonics, climate change, natural hazards, pollution, and coastal and land management. In a world facing significant environmental disruption, the skills that environmental geoscientists develop are of genuine practical importance.

At Swansea University, this three-year full-time programme offers a broad understanding of geography that combines themes from geology, geosciences, physical geography, and environmental science. You will explore a wide range of topics, developing the field and laboratory skills that environmental geoscience requires alongside the theoretical understanding of the processes that shape our planet. Fieldwork is central to the programme, taking you out of the classroom and into real geological and environmental settings where you develop your skills of observation, mapping, data collection, and interpretation.

Graduates from environmental geoscience programmes work in the minerals, oil, and gas industries, environmental consultancy, water management, natural hazard risk assessment, coastal management, government environmental agencies, and research. The combination of geological and environmental skills is valued across all of these sectors. Further study at postgraduate level in geoscience, environmental science, geology, or physical geography is available for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue research careers.