GEOLOGY Undergraduate Programmes School of Geography, Geology and the Environment 2019 entry
2 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 3 Contents Introduction 03 Why Keele? 04 Key Course Features 06 Why Study Geology? 07 Course Information for Geology 09 First Year 10 Second Year 12 Third Year 14 Fourth Year (MGeol only) 15 Field Courses 17 Learning and Teaching 18 Assessment and Feedback 19 The William Smith Building 20 Further Study 22 Geology Staff 23 Careers in Geology 24 Some NSS comments from our students 25 How to apply 26 Meet us 27 Introduction Keele University offers a range of degree programmes in Geology, giving you the flexibility to choose a route to a Geology degree that is perfect for you. Our Single Honours Geology degree course pathway leads to the qualification BSc Geology. This course combines the rocks, minerals, fossils and fieldwork of a traditional geology course with additional applied elements such as geophysics, geochemistry, geoforensics and remote sensing. Alternatively, with our Combined Honours Geology degree programmes you can study a second subject alongside geology for three years. Successfully completing our Combined Honours Geology course will mean that you graduate with a degree in BSc Geology and your other subject. Combined Honours students can also choose to take only Geology modules in their final year, and graduate with a degree in Combined Honours Geology (Major), BSc Geology with your other subject. Should you have a career in Geology in mind then you can extend your studies to a fourth year to obtain an undergraduate integrated master s qualification, MGeol. We also offer a research-based postgraduate master s course MSc in Geoscience Research. For students wanting a broad-based degree with a geology component but only limited fieldwork, we offer Earth Sciences routes to the BSc and MSci Natural Sciences degrees (please see the Natural Sciences brochure). As you can see, student choice and flexibility of pathway are at the heart of our courses. The first two years of the Geology degrees cover the core of the subjects, with the possibility of doing a study abroad or work placement year between your second and third years. Beyond that, a range of mainly vocationally based optional modules allow you to tailor your degree towards your individual interests and/or career aspirations. Dr Ian Stimpson Course Director for Geology Follow us on Twitter @KeeleGeology Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is correct at the time of going to press. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our website www.keele.ac.uk Our degrees are currently accredited by the Geological Society of London. With a new module structure starting in 2018, the BSc Geology single honours degree, and combined honours when taken with another science (including Physical Geography), and MGeol degrees will be submitted for reaccreditation in late 2018. Welcome to Geology at Keele.
4 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 5 Travel Times Why eele? 10mins Stoke-on-Trent by car 40mins To Manchester by train Edinburgh 50mins To Birmingham by train Reasons to choose Keele Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1hr 30mins To London by train GOLD AWARD in the Teaching Excellence Framework HEFCE 2017 96% Graduate Employability HESA 2017 graduates in work or further study within six months of graduation No.1 in England for Course Satisfaction Guardian University Guide, 2018 97% of our research was classified as world-leading or of international importance Research Excellence Framework 2014 600 ACRES With over 600 acres we have the largest single-site campus in the UK GLOBAL TOP 20 for campus sustainability UI Green Metric ranking 2017 Liverpool 1hr Keele Manchester 1hr Stoke-on-Trent Oxford Birmingham 1hr London 1.5hr
6 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 7 Why Study Geology? Geology is a fascinating subject that investigates how the Earth was formed, how life arose and evolved, why the Earth looks like it does today, what resources it contains and how we can find them. Our industrial society is based on the work of geologists in the hunt for natural resources such as oil, gas, coal, minerals, metals, aggregates and water. If it hasn t been grown, then a geologist has discovered it. This means that future job opportunities for geologists are excellent as society develops increasing needs for these resources, and requires an understanding of how they can be exploited in a more sustainable fashion. Key Course Features: Outstanding student satisfaction in National Student Surveys (100% in 2015 and 2016) Extensive integrated field course programme with a free field course pathway through your degree Flexible degree pathways with vocationally based option modules Open door policy of access to staff members when you need advice or feedback Opportunity for a study abroad or work placement year No prior knowledge of geology required Degrees accredited by the Geological Society of London Geology also draws on knowledge from many different aspects of science such as chemistry, biology, physics and physical geography. As such Geology is the ideal subject to choose as part of a combined honours degree programme. Both the Single Honours and Combined Honours Geology courses will teach you not only the subject specific skills required as a professional geologist but also many transferable skills such as problem solving, research and communication skills that are valuable for everyday work not only in geology, but also in many other fields of employment after you graduate. What we offer Broad-based introduction to the Earth Sciences, with no previous knowledge of geology required A choice of degree pathways A wide range of career options and wealth of job opportunities Development of field, laboratory and employability skills A fully integrated fieldwork programme, including overseas field courses Lecture courses fully integrated with applied practical sessions and fieldwork Opportunities for independent study through research projects and fieldwork exercises Modern laboratories and modern computing facilities running specialist Earth Sciences software
8 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 9 Course Information for Geology Single Honours BSc Geology Geology is very much an interdisciplinary subject that is based upon the integration of Earth Science knowledge with many other physical sciences such as physical geography, physics, chemistry and biology. In your first year you would take modules that cover the fundamentals of geology and also the ways geology integrates with the other physical sciences. You also have the option to broaden your knowledge with a modern language or other cross-disciplinary module. The second year comprises both core geology and applied geoscience modules. In your final year you would undertake an extended geological mapping dissertation, a field course, an economic geology module and select four of our option modules. Combined Honours BSc Geology Keele has a history of specialising in Combined Honours degrees that involve studying two subjects for three years. It s possible to combine Geology with Physical Geography, Geography, Human Geography, Astrophysics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Computer Science. This allows you to continue studying two subjects that you really like and present potential employers with a unique, wide-ranging set of skills not possible from other university degrees. Typically you will take core modules in Geology and your other subject in each of your three years. In the first two years, the geology modules provide a fundamental understanding of the subject and then in the geology final year you will undertake a geological mapping dissertation and choose three modules from our selection of option modules to suit your personal interests and/or career aspirations Combined Honours BSc Geology (Major Route) The first two years of the Combined Honours Geology course provide a thorough background to the subject. You can either continue with Combined Honours in your final year or drop your other subject and take just geology modules. You would do the geological mapping dissertation, an overseas field course and a geological communications skills module as well as choosing five of our option modules. Of course, you could alternatively drop geology and concentrate on your other subject in your final year, but obviously we hope that you would want to stay with us. Integrated Master s MGeol MGeol is a four-year undergraduate Master s course that covers a broad range of topics and professional activities centred on geology. It places emphasis on the development of skills in practical and applied geology, information technology and project management. Students wishing to follow the MGeol degree route take either Single or Combined Honours BSc Geology in their first two years and can then transfer to MGeol. The third year follows either the Combined Honours BSc Geology (Major Route) or the Single Honours BSc Geology programme depending on your first two years. The fourth year focuses on a Master s project of your own choice together with research skills modules, a petroleum geology module and two further option modules. It also contains an industry focused geophysics field course. Note that there are additional progression requirements for years three and four of this course.
10 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 11 First Year The first year of the Geology programmes lays the foundations for detailed study of higher concepts in years 2 and 3. You don t have to have any previous geological knowledge as the courses will begin from basics. Combined Honours BSc Geology Combined Honours BSc Geology students take core geology modules during the first year: Minerals, Rocks and Fossils Earth Structure and History These cover broad themes such as Earth as a planet, geological processes such as plate tectonics, and how these processes relate to geological features such as volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. These geological processes and features are compared to those on the other planets. Stratigraphic principles and the geological evolution of Europe are taught along with an introduction to geological structures and the interpretation of geological maps. Single Honours BSc Geology Single Honours BSc Geology students also take the following modules: The Earth System Geology Data Visualisation, Analysis and Interpretation The Earth System examines the interactions between the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, the biosphere and the societal system in terms of explaining past, present and possible future changes on Earth (e.g. climate change, mass extinctions, etc.). Geology Data Visualisation, Analysis and Interpretation provides an introduction to geophysical, remote sensing, geographical/geological information system techniques for the handling of a wide variety of geoscience data types. In addition, Single Honours BSc Geology students currently have a free choice of one of the free-standing elective modules offered within the University. An understanding of the formation and classification of minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks is taught by examining them in hand specimen and up close using a petrological microscope. An introduction to the rock cycle and rock formation processes as well as palaeontological principles is given by providing theoretical background knowledge, alongside the practical examination of geological materials and the major fossil groups including trilobites, graptolites, ammonites, corals and brachiopods. The petrological, stratigraphic, structural geology, and geological observation and mapping principles in the taught cause are reinforced via several embedded day, two-day and week-long field courses held at a variety of destinations across England and Wales.
12 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 13 Second Year During the second year, particular attention is paid to observation, recording and interpretation of geological phenomena in the field and laboratory, including an extensive overseas field course. It is the intention that by the end of the second year you will have been given a complete grounding in geology that will allow you to carry out your own independent geological studies. Combined Honours BSc Geology Combined Honours BSc Geology students take modules during the second year that cover the following themes: Petrology Field Techniques The nature of igneous bodies, processes of their formation, isotopes for magma source identification and age dating. Studies of metamorphic minerals and textures are described in the context of plate tectonics and the origin of the continents. How the geomorphology of ancient sedimentary environments can be reconstructed from evidence in the rock record and from using equivalent modern environments as a template. An investigation of the behaviour of rock deformation and study of the construction and interpretation of geological maps. Acquisition, processing and interpretation of near-surface geophysical data Geological Mapping Training focuses on a residential field course that covers the techniques used to make a geological map and to determine the structure and development of a major geological province via fieldwork. This prepares you with appropriate background knowledge to source relevant literature and carry out independent field projects. Single Honours BSc Geology Single Honours BSc Geology students also take modules with the following themes: Geology and Society Palaeoclimatology and Quaternary Studies Geochemistry Understanding the linkages between Geology and Society through the study of issues such as geological hazards, resource depletion, alternative sources of energy and sustainable geoscience. Advanced knowledge and understanding of aspects of applied geoscience in forensic and historical contexts. Deposits of past ice ages are studied to determine how they can be interpreted to understand the processes of their formation and the occurrence, evidence for and possible causes of climate change over geological time. The principles, applications and analytical techniques used in geochemistry, enhancing both laboratory and field skills and providing experience of geochemical techniques which are relevant to both academia and industry.
14 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 15 Third Year The third year of the Geology programmes will involves a combination of compulsory (core) and option modules. MGeol students follow either the BSc Geology (Major Route) or Single Honours BSc Geology pathway depending on their first two years. We modify our programmes regularly in response to student feedback, external examiner feedback and accreditation body requirements. Typical modules are included in the list below: Combined Honours BSc Geology Independent Field Project (15 credits) + three option modules Combined Honours BSc Geology (Major Route) Independent Field Project (15 credits) Geological Communication Skills Field Course + five option modules Single Honours BSc Geology Independent Field Project (30 credits) Economic Geology Field course + four option modules Integrated Master s MGeol As Combined Honours BSc Geology Major Route or Single Honours BSc Geology but with Advanced Sedimentology as core rather than an optional module. Option modules Natural Hazards: covers the causes of a variety of natural hazards, investigates their potential impacts on human society and infrastructure, and evaluates the measures that can be taken to mitigate their destructive effects. Economic Geology: (Core for Single Honours BSc Geology) covers the petrological controls on igneous and metasomatic ore body formation (as well as the means of exploiting them), aggregates, and the formation, exploration and production of coal. Exploration Geophysics for the Hydrocarbon Industry: techniques employed in the exploration for hydrocarbons, provides the technical expertise to enter a career as a hydrocarbon exploration industry geophysicist. Structure and Geodynamics: covers the concepts, processes and physical structures associated with continental tectonics. Hydrological and Engineering Geology: covers the key theoretical and technical issues of hydrological and engineering geology, groundwater, rock and soil behaviour. Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications: addresses the key theoretical and practical issues of micropalaeontology and introduces modern analytical facilities and methods (e.g. Electron Microscopy, statistical palaeontological data analysis). Advanced Sedimentology: (Core for MGeol) provides a broad overview of the relationship between sedimentology and stratigraphy on a basin-wide scale, and the economic implications. Fourth Year (MGeol only) The final year of the undergraduate Integrated Master s course (M.Geol) provides an in-depth experience of many important geological topics along with training in research techniques, laboratory methods, computing techniques and other transferable skills. In particular, the modules studied prepare students for work in industry, commerce or academia. Core modules Literature Synthesis: a detailed literature survey on a specific geological topic and presentation of the results from this exercise via a project website. Research Project: an independent research investigation within an area of the geosciences. Research in Context: knowledge of current research in the subject matter of your research project and to evaluate the outcome of the project in relation to other work in the field. Research Report: communicate the methods, results and conclusions of the research project. Spatial Geoscience Data Analysis: visualisation and analysis of subsurface geoscience data through computer aided mapping, cartographic packages, statistical analysis and mapping and visualisation of multi-format data. Petroleum Geology: techniques, practices, workflows and geological data used by the hydrocarbons industry for the exploration, appraisal and production of economic reserves of hydrocarbons. Option modules You also select two option modules that are the fourth year equivalent of those offered in the third year. MGeol Admission or Transfer Students may apply to take the MGeol degree using the normal UCAS procedures. Combined Honours Geology, with any natural sciences subject, or Single Honours Geology must be taken in first and second years. Suitably qualified BSc students are also allowed to transfer to MGeol during their Bachelor s degree course.
16 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 17 Free Field Course Pathway Through Your Degree Some National Student Survey comments from our students Fieldwork opportunities have been incredible Field Courses The fieldwork has been by far the best and most useful part of the course. It allows you to really get to grips with the subject matter and visualise it far better. The staff are generally very approachable and helpful. The teaching standard is very good. Field courses are good value. Just the overall friendliness of the university, everyone is very helpful and is always available if you need them. Fieldwork is an integral part of Geology at Keele and field courses are embedded as an integral part of our modules. We offer a free field course pathway through your degree, with accommodation and transport costs covered. For Single Honours students we currently offer the choice of a no-cost field course to SE Spain or a field course to the Western USA where students pay the additional costs. Set in the heart of England, Keele is close to many classic geological localities in Staffordshire, the Peak District, Pennines, Lake District, North Wales and the Welsh Borders. We also travel further afield to study exceptional geological localities and each programme has an overseas field course. In the first year, several day-long field courses will introduce you to the skills needed to make geological maps. Other excursions will highlight fossils and fossil ecosystems. A week-long residential field course brings together much of what has been taught in the first year, sedimentary and igneous rocks, fossils, structural geology and Earth history. The second year starts with a week-long residential field course. This course covers advanced geological mapping skills including techniques in aerial photo interpretation and navigation in mountainous terrain using facilities such as the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) that you will need to undertake your independent mapping in the summer between the second and third years. There are also day field courses to study a variety of aspects of geology. The highlight of the second year is the overseas field course. Combined Honours students currently undertake a week-long field course in the Almeria province of southern Spain studying the varied geology of the Betic mountain belt and adjoining sedimentary basins. Single Honours students can either go to Almeria for free or pay extra to go on a two-week field course to the Western USA to examine the stunning sedimentary and structural geology exhibited there. In the summer between the second and third years you will undertake a piece of independent geological mapping in an area of your choosing. This could be in the UK or overseas. For Combined Honours students this is done for three weeks, for Single Honours students, five weeks. This is an opportunity to bring together all of the mapping and other geological skills that you have acquired and the project is written up as a dissertation in the third year. During the third year you will take a number of core and option modules, some of which include field courses. Combined Honours (Major Route) students have a week-long field course studying a volcanic province, and Single Honours students spend a week examining igneous and metamorphic rocks. MGeol students typically have a week-long field course in the Lake District undertaking geophysical surveying, in addition to option module related field courses and any fieldwork associated with their master s project. Please note that our field courses are under constant review and timing and destinations of field courses may be subject to change. Although many images in this brochure are taken from previous field courses, they are included for indicative purposes only and do not necessarily mean that the same localities will be visited during the course of your particular degree.
18 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 19 Learning and Teaching Geology at Keele is taught in a variety of different ways. Teaching throughout the course includes lectures, practical classes, workshops, field courses and independent project work. Geology is a very practical and field oriented subject and the immersive fieldwork experience is typically where everything comes together and helps you develop a deep understanding of the subject. Different styles of teaching are appropriate for different parts of the course, and your programme has been carefully designed to help you to get the most out of it. Our teaching and our course structures are regularly checked and approved by external auditors, as well as by our own students. Geology at Keele has a reputation for innovative teaching methods and a commitment to professional standards. We have on several occasions won Keele s award for excellence in teaching, both as individual members of staff and as a teaching team. Several of our teaching staff are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy and many of us have published our research into teaching and learning in Earth Sciences. Some National Student Survey comments from our students Courses well taught by enthusiastic lecturers. Very good facilities available to help studies lecturers more than happy to help with problems, even if not for their own subject. There is a strong community in our course you get to know the department, the lecturers and get the full experience. They provide good one-toone teaching. Assessment and Feedback Assessment and feedback are key parts of learning and teaching at Keele. We use a variety of assessment methods to help you develop your skills and to test your understanding of key concepts. Assessment in Geology includes written exams, laboratory notebooks, field notebooks, maps, technical reports, posters, spoken presentations, project reports, field exercises, on-line tests, and many other formats designed to help you to develop and demonstrate your abilities. The wide range of different types of work we do in Geology is designed to be valuable in your later career. Most of the assessments that you do from your second year onwards contribute to your final degree mark (first year assessments contribute just to the module mark, but they are also used as learning exercises for future work). In all cases we will give you helpful feedback on your work so that you can constantly develop and improve. This feedback is a central part of how we teach and how you learn. You will get feedback in many ways including discussions in practical and field classes, comments added to the work you hand in, conversations with tutors after the work is marked, and many other mechanisms appropriate to the particular items of work you have completed. In practical and fieldwork exercises, for example, a quick discussion or demonstration is often the most immediate and effective form of feedback, whereas for a technical report it might be more appropriate to deliver feedback electronically. Practical and field classes are staffed by both academic staff and postgraduate demonstrators to give you access to instant feedback on your work as you learn. Your overall performance is discussed with your personal tutor several times a year and Geology staff members operate an open door policy which means you can just come and discuss any issues any time we are in our office.
20 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 21 The William Smith Building Geology is based in the William Smith Building in the heart of Keele s attractive campus. All of our academic staff members have our offices in this building so we are easy to find when you need us. The administrative staff members are based in an office in the foyer, where you can easily get information or advice on practical and administrative matters. Much of your teaching, particularly practical classes, will also be in this building or in one of the neighbouring buildings. The William Smith Building should quickly start to feel like your academic home. When the practical and computer labs or seminar rooms are not in use for teaching, you are welcome to use them for your own work. It is often convenient to use a spare room in the William Smith Building as a group study room. Fourth Year M.Geol students have their own dedicated room with their own desk and computer where they can work on their Master s projects and other course work. Geology staff members are friendly, approachable and always pleased to help you. You will get to know us quickly, particularly through laboratory classes and fieldwork. You will also get to know other students in these classes and make friends soon after you arrive. The William Smith Building is also home to the Geography and the Environment courses. These subjects overlap with Geology and many of our students combine Physical Geography with Geology, and some Geology modules are shared with Environmental Science and Geography where the topics studied are relevant to both subjects. Our staff members conduct joint research projects across these subjects too. This contributes to the friendly, integrated feel of our building, which is sometimes referred to as Geography, Geology and the Environment or just GGE. The student GeoSoc incorporates all three subjects, and is another way of making friends and engaging with some activities outside of classes. The annual GeoSoc Ball has been a highlight of the social calendar for the William Smith Building. In addition to the general GeoSoc we have a more academically focused Student Chapter of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists that you can join for free. The William Smith Building also hosts monthly evening talks by the North Staffordshire Group of the Geologists Association and the Western Institute of Mining and Minerals. You can go to the lectures for free, widen your geological knowledge and gain contacts with people working locally in geological consultancy firms. These organisations also sponsor several of our student prizes. The William Smith Building and the neighbouring buildings in the centre of campus are fully equipped with all the resources you will need. The Library and Information Services building, the Students Union, Careers Service, Student Support, the bank, the shops and the post office are located close by on campus.
22 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 23 Further Study After your undergraduate degree you may choose to continue at Keele studying for a postgraduate master s degree or a PhD. For students interested in continuing with their studies in the areas of Geology, Geography, or Environmental Science and Sustainability, Keele offers three postgraduate programmes which are highly relevant to our graduates: MSc Geoscience Research MSc or MA Geographical and Environmental Research These two research-focused, postgraduate taught courses are similarly structured, and are based around a year-long research project underpinned by training in specific and generic research skills. We have a wide range of topic options across the Geosciences, Environmental, and Geography disciplines, and subject-specific skills acquired throughout the course provide students with an excellent launch pad for careers in consultancy, research and academia. The courses consist of four core research modules and one optional module (including the opportunity to study a language), and an extensive research project, covering topics such as applied and environmental geophysics to igneous petrology, volcanology, Quaternary environments, palaeoclimates, palaeoceanography, biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, sedimentology, structural geology, palaeontology, renewable and alternative energy, and petroleum geoscience. Students also have the opportunity to conduct their project at a partner university abroad (e.g. Europe and North America). Geology Staff Geology at Keele is taught by experienced, wellqualified and enthusiastic staff. All of the staff members are active within the discipline, carrying out cutting-edge research, writing research papers and books, winning contracts for funded research and playing important roles on committees nationally and internationally within their areas of expertise. We have a good balance of staff members from different academic backgrounds, from different countries and with different subject specialisms covering all the key areas of geology and you will be taught by genuine subject experts. One thing that we all have in common is an enthusiasm and friendliness to bring our research and professional expertise to bear in helping you with your studies and enabling you to attain a world class degree. We take our teaching, as well as our research very seriously. We get to know you all very well (and you, us), particularly on field courses, and our open door policy means that if you have a question, just knock on our office door and come in for a chat. For more information please see: keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/geoscienceresearch MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology The MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology is designed to provide an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental challenges whilst giving the opportunity to specialise in several sustainability themes related to geosciences, energy generation, biological science, green information technology, environmental policy and politics, and project management. The course is taught by a team of environmental specialists working in the fields of environmental technologies, biological sciences, chemical science and environmental policy and politics. The course has led graduates into a diverse range of careers from local government, environmental consultancies and charities to research and is particularly relevant to those students who may be interested in a career in environmental science, policy or planning. For more information please see: keele.ac.uk/pgtcourses/ environmentalsustainabilityandgreentechnology
24 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 25 Careers in Geology What Do Keele Geology Graduates Do? Our graduates go on to a wide range of different careers. About one third of our students go straight into geology related jobs in the hydrocarbon, mining, aggregates, geotechnical and water industries, and another third continue into postgraduate study, either vocational or research master s courses, PhDs or postgraduate teacher training. As many of our students study two subjects for their degree, they also use their wide portfolio of graduate skills to obtain jobs in their other subject area. It has been said that if something has not been grown, then a geologist has discovered the resource. From energy resources such as gas, oil, coal, uranium and renewables such as geothermal power, mineral resources such as diamonds, gold, silver, platinum and other metals such as aluminium, lead, zinc, copper and rare earth elements, to iron ore for steel, clay for bricks, sand for glass, aggregates and limestone for concrete, and even water, geologists are all necessary for their discovery. The growing need for energy and mineral resources means that job opportunities for geologists should continue to be very high. Geological skills and knowledge are also vital in other industries such as construction, for foundations, tunnelling, road and rail cuttings, etc., and the insurance industry for the evaluation of risk of geological hazards such as landslides, subsidence, earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Many of the skills that you will acquire through your degree, such as problem solving, report writing, giving presentations, researching and critically evaluating knowledge, working individually and as part of a team, are also important for a very wide range of other potential careers outside of geology. Geology Careers Support Careers training is embedded within the degree programmes, and you will be able to identify how the things you are studying at Keele relate to possible future careers with each module having a defined set of employability skills. One of our second year modules provides guidance on careers pathways, feedback on your CV and producing an effective job application covering letter, as well as providing help with interview skills and psychometric testing. One member of staff is designated the role of Careers Tutor and will be able to help you with specific queries regarding both potential careers as well as module selection to help you achieve your career goal, but all staff are able to offer advice and support. There is also a central University careers service with whom we work very closely to provide both specific and general careers advice as well as help in looking for work experience or internships. For some students, a specific career target is at the top of the agenda from day one, and they structure their entire degree around a career goal. Other students discover their calling during the course of their studies. Whatever approach is most appropriate to you we will be on hand with help and advice when you need it. The staff are generally very approachable and helpful. The teaching standard is very good. Courses well taught by enthusiastic lecturers. Very good facilities available to help studies lecturers more than happy to help with problems, even if not for their own subject. I like the independent thinking it gave us The fieldwork has been by far the best and most useful part of the course. It allows you to really get to grips with the subject matter and visualise it far better. Some National Student Survey comments from our students Excellent departmental building with good resources and helpful staff Fieldwork opportunities have been incredible There is a strong community in our course you get to know the department, the lecturers and get the full experience. They provide good one-to-one teaching. Teaching has been excellent. Good access to materials and resources when needed. Real sense of community on the course. Can speak to staff when need to. The course really relates to careers Staff are extremely, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly Geology staff have been fantastic Just the overall friendliness of the university, everyone is very helpful and is always available if you need them. Lecturers had an excellent open-door policy for when help was required
26 GEOLOGY GEOLOGY 27 How to apply Applications for all undergraduate courses at Keele should be made through UCAS. See ucas.com for details. Meet us Experience Keele for yourself. We hold a number of open days and visit options throughout the year. We d love to see you and say hello. Independent applicants in the UK Other UK applicants, who are not at school or college, apply online independently. You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the academic reference and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS. International Applicants Outside the UK (EU and Worldwide) Unless your school or college is registered with UCAS, individuals from the EU (excluding the UK), and worldwide, can apply online independently. Advice is available from British Council offices and other centres overseas, such as your school or college. You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining and attaching the academic reference and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS. For all applicants, there are full instructions at ucas.com to make it as easy as possible for you to fill in your online application, plus help text where appropriate. UCAS also has a comprehensive guide called Applying Online, which can be downloaded from ucas.com Open Days Keele University holds a number of Open Days each year which give prospective undergraduate students the opportunity to visit the campus and learn more about Keele and university life in general. Book your place at keele.ac.uk/opendays Offer Holder Days If you apply to Keele and are made an offer, you will automatically be invited to attend one of these days. keele.ac.uk/offerholderdays Independent Visits You are welcome to look around the campus on an informal visit. keele.ac.uk/independentvisits Postgraduate Open Afternoons We hold a number of Postgraduate Open Afternoons each year which give prospective students the chance to speak to academic staff and learn more about Keele and postgraduate life in general. There will be an opportunity for a campus and accommodation tour (optional), a chance to speak to central services including Accommodation, Admissions, Student Support, Keele Postgraduate Association and the Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences. We will also arrange for academic staff from your course area tobe available at the event. To book an Open day please visit: keele.ac.uk/postgraduateopenafternoons
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment The William Smith Building Keele University Keele Staffordshire ST5 5BG +44 (0)1782 734963 gge@keele.ac.uk @KeeleGGE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS KUDIS 06/18