School of GeoSciences Board of Studies. Proposal for a New Degree Programme in Geophysics and Geology

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1 School of GeoSciences Board of Studies Proposal for a New Degree Programme in Geophysics and Geology Please complete the attached Programme Specification, and then complete this cover sheet for additional information required which is not contaiend in the Programme Specification. Preamble To reinstate a degree programme that mixes Geophysics and Geology, that was lost when the Geophysics and Geology-route Geophysics degrees were abandoned, and yet is very highly thought of by employers in oil & gas, minerals, environmental monitoring / investigation etc, water, engineering. The new degree structure will improve on the previous one by more thoroughly mixing Geophysics and Geology throughout the 4 years. The CP permits this approach. To exploit the demand for Geophysics/Geology degrees, which are replacing Geophysics degrees or offered in addition at many universities, e.g. Durham, Leicester, Southampton, UEA, UCL. To build on the success of Geophysics and Meteorology as a recruiting vehicle. To maximise the use of our teaching modules to create new degree streams (School policy) without introducing any new teaching. Benefits to the School To build on the success of Geophysics and Meteorology as a recruiting vehicle. To maximise the use of our teaching modules to create new degree streams (School policy) without introducing any new teaching. To enhance the reputation of the School as a UK leader in Geophysics education and training. Entry Requirements, Transfer Arrangements As existing Geophysics degrees Progression Hurdles As existing Geophysics and Geology degrees Resource Implications As existing Geophysics and Geology degrees

2 Consultation Consulted in Geophysics and Geology DPRCs Risk Assessment Essentially no new risk in that no new teaching is required Teachability Assessment (please see below for details) 1 As existing Geophysics and Geology degrees. In instances where a disability makes it difficult for a student to complete the proposed work of the course, e.g. in fieldwork where rock exposures are difficult of access or in laboratory work using microscopes or making difficult manipulations, reasonable adjustments are made to ensure that the learning outcomes are achieved. Quality Assurance Arrangements As existing Geophysics and Geology degrees 1 The teachability assessment should: Outline any essential skills, abilities or knowledge (pre-requisites) which students must have to complete the course or programme; Describe what is "core" to the course or programme (i.e. what is central to the its study, and what all students must demonstrate and understanding of in order to complete it), so that students can make informed choices; Outline the possible impact of the course or programme's assessment arrangements on disabled students, and to consider what adjustments can be made. As part of the approval process, the School's Board of Studies will consider the validity of the course pre-requisites, core areas and assessment arrangements, to ensure that there are no unnecessary barriers for disabled students.

3 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION FOR BSc Honours Degree in Geophysics and Geology 1) Awarding Institution: Edinburgh University 2) Teaching Institution: Edinburgh University 3) Programme accredited by: Geological Society of London 4) Final Award: BSc (Hons) 5) Programme Title: Geophysics and Geology 6) UCAS Code: Relevant QAA Subject Benchmarking Group(s): GEES 7) Postholder with overall responsibility for QA: Roger Scrutton 8) Date of production/revision: 16 th November ) Educational aims of programme: To train university graduates at the interface between Geophysics and Geology, an area much sought after by a very wide range of employers and which has the potential to contribute significantly to our understanding of the way the earth system works..

4 10) Programme Outcomes: (a) Knowledge and understanding At the natural interface between Geophysics and Geology. The courses available to us will permit solid Maths, Physics and Geology foundations in Years 1 & 2, commensurate with the existing Geophysics, Geology and Physics degrees. Years 3 and 4 address selected topics as core and optional courses in the general area of applied Geophysics that is essential for geologists and in Geology that supports and enhances the application of Geophysics. It would be wrong to say that there will be no gaps in the knowledge and understanding of the graduates, but these are gaps that already exist in our Geophysics and Geology degree programmes, e.g. a thorough coverage of electrical methods, hydrogeology. (b) Cognitive skills All those skills associated with the component courses. (c) Professional/subject-specific/practical skills All those skills associated with the component courses. Inevitably some of the more advanced skills in Geophysics and Geology cannot be included in a joint programme of this kind, e.g. Computational Methods in Geophysics, Geology Practical Portfolio, but on the other hand the programme includes more Geology fieldwork training than our Geophysics degree does and more Mathematics than our Geology degree does. Overall the compromise is good and probably better than in our competitor institutions. (d) Transferable skills All those skills associated with the component courses.

5 11) Programme Structure and Features: The programme is constructed along conventional undergraduate BSc (Hons) programme lines, with core and option classes, although the need to include underpinning Maths, Physics and Geology limits option choice in Years 1 & 2 and the need to include essential components of Geophysics and Geology in Years 3 & 4 also places limits on option choice. Nevertheless, the only year without option choice is Year 2. The key feature is the integration of Geophysics and Geology. 12) Other items:

6 Degree Programme Title: Degree Type: Normal year taken Course Schedules Level Credit total See attached spreadsheet