Masters Degrees in Geological Oceanography, United Kingdom

This MSc is a full-time one-year course, consisting of 9 months taught course and 3 months research project, and assessed by coursework and examinations. The course provides theoretical and practical training in measuring, quantifying and understanding the physical processes within the geological marine environment. It provides a sound scientific basis on which to decide how best to design and execute marine surveys, be they geophysical, sedimentological or geological, for the required purpose.

The MSc in Applied Marine Geoscience evolved from its predecessor, the Marine Geotechnics course which boasted a 30 year pedigree.

A series of modules have been designed to explain the processes that form and characterise a wide variety of sedimentary environments, from the littoral zone to the deep ocean. Those controls range from the dynamical, chemical, climatic to geological; all are inter-related. The student also gains knowledge and understanding of survey techniques in order to map these environments and thereby gain a better understanding of the processes that shape them. The final facet of the course involves an explanation of how these sedimentary materials react to imposed loads - how they behave geotechnically.

From past experience it is found that students on completion of the course will find employment in the offshore hydrocarbons industry, geophysical contract companies (both offshore and terrestrial), geotechnical engineering companies, river and harbour boards or government establishments. The course may also lead students to further academic research studies.

Aims of the course
The aim of the course is to provide the world with people who

understand the inter-relationships between the forces which shape the marine geological environment,
have mastered the practical and analytical techniques necessary to study those controls and survey the geological settings
can critically analyse their findings and present them at a standard and in a form required by end-users, be they commercial or academic.
Whilst the form and style of presentation of work may differ, the skills required by doctoral students and those by potential employers (the marine geoservices industry) overlap to a large extent. Specifically identifying aspects of the course in this light, we aim to enable the students to:

be skilled in planning and acquiring good quality data in the laboratory and in the field in a safe manner
be able to work as a team in the acquisition of larger data-sets
appreciate the importance of recognising the limitations of model-based interpretation of data
review and critically analyse previous work both before and after undertaking data acquisition or modelling
understand the fundamental workings of the offshore geoservices industry
In a more general sense, the course is designed to act as a conversion course for a physical scientist who wants to hone their research skills whilst at the same time getting a grasp of how those skills are applied to solve both academic and commercially based problems. An important part of the course philosophy is the idea that the challenges that face marine geoscientists can often only be solved by taking a multi-disciplinary approach and we instil this idea of wider thought into our graduates.

The course aims to place the student in a strong position to go on to doctoral studies on issues such as palaeoclimatology, geophysics or sedimentology; or enter directly into the offshore industry e.g. to geohazard analysis, or offshore renewable energy exploitation.

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Research profile

This masters by research programme is an opportunity to carry out a substantial piece of research in any of the following major branches of geosciences:

• Atmospheric Science
• Climate Change
• Ecological Sciences
• Environmental Geochemistry
• Environmental Geoscience
• Environmental Sustainability
• Exploration Geophysics
• Geoinformatics
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Glaciology
• Human Geography
• Meteorology
• Oceanography
• Palaeoclimatology
• Petroleum Geology
• Physical Geography
• Remote Sensing

The programme allows you to work on research throughout the year, and your work will be judged solely on your final dissertation. You can follow taught courses by arrangement with your supervisor, but none are required.

The programme aims to provide a structured approach to basic research training, allowing you to explore an area of research that may be subsequently developed into a PhD. You may also have the opportunity to develop links with research projects at national and international levels.

The School has the largest geoscience research group in the UK, with about 370 academics and researchers. The ambition and quality of our research was reflected in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, where 66% of our research was rated within the top two categories: world-leading and internationally excellent.

All research students are affiliated to one a research institute, which provides a forum for the development of ideas, collaboration, and dissemination of results, and an environment for training, development and mentoring of research students and early-career researchers. Our research institutes each have a very active seminar series drawing distinguished external guests as well as internal speakers, and you will be encouraged to attend and participate.

Programme structure

You can follow taught courses by arrangement with your supervisor, but none are required.

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With a multidisciplinary emphasis, this MSc Oceanography Masters programme incorporates both taught modules as well as independent research.

Introducing your course

This is the course page for MSc Oceanography at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Oceanography and what studying here involves.

In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MSc Oceanography.

If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.

Overview

The MSc Oceanography degree is designed primarily for students with no previous specialisation in marine science. For example, if you are a graduate with a degree in biological sciences, chemistry or materials science, physics, maths, environmental science, physical geography or related disciplines. 

The programme includes compulsory introductory modules that provide a foundation in interdisciplinary marine science, along with the opportunity to specialise in particular areas through an option of modules, as well as research project experience with marine scientists at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS).

To highlight the specialisations possible through the option modules of the programme, we have developed "pathways" of suggested module choices, which include:

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

Students can either follow one of these "pathways", or mix options from different pathways, where the timetable allows, to pursue broader interests.

Employment in the marine environmental sector is a common destination for MSc Oceanography graduates, and as the degree is a "conversion" to marine science from "pure" science backgrounds, around one-third of graduates also go on to PhD research in marine sciences.

View the programme specification document for this course

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This joint European programme provides the opportunity to study in Southampton, Bilbao, Liege and Bordeaux.

Introducing your course

This is the course page for MSc Marine Environment and Resources at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Marine Environment and Resources and what studying here involves.

In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MSc Marine Environment and Resources.

If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.

Overview

The 18-24 month Master of Science in Marine Environment and Resources (MER) is a European degree programme developed from a collaboration between three leading European institutions in this field:

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

You will develop your ability to think through complex issues, to analyse the marine environment and its resources and to ensure development is sustainable. Examples of topics you could study across the MER programme include integrated coastal zone management, the assessment of marine ecosystem health, protection and recovery of marine and estuary environments and competitive and responsible fisheries management.

You can find out more about the programme and studying at each of these universities on the MER Consortium website.

Our partner universities offer structured tuition in local languages during your stay and these are free of charge.

View the programme specification document for this course

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This is a programme designed for graduates in the physical or environmental sciences, mathematics or engineering.

Introducing your course

This is the course page for MRes Marine Geology and Geophysics at the University of Southampton. Find out everything about Marine Geology and Geophysics and what studying here involves.

In this course page we explain a range of key information about the course. This includes typical entry requirements, modules you can take and how assessment works. We also suggest career opportunities open to you as a University of Southampton graduate of MRes Marine Geology and Geophysics.

If you still have questions, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to answer any enquiries. See our contact us page for our telephone, email and address information.

Overview

MRes students spend two thirds of their year on their research project and the rest of their time taking taught modules. You can choose from a range of flexible pathways depending on your research interest. These currently include Exploration, Geodynamics, Coastal Processes, Palaeoceanography and Micro-palaeontology. You will develop specific knowledge and skills through your selection of modules and choice of subject for your research project.

The programme is taught by staff from across NOCS who draw on their cutting edge research to create a challenging and stimulating degree programme. You will also be encouraged to attend our research seminars, some delivered by leading visiting scientists.

View the programme specification document for this course

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