Geology

About this programme

Geology is the study of Planet Earth. The BSc in Geology at St Andrews explores the origin and evolution of our planet and its biosphere over time, using the geological record and the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and biology to understand the processes and events that have shaped the Earth system. Research-led teaching will introduce you to cutting-edge questions, such as why the Earth is unique in our solar system, how planets and atmospheres form and change, why volcanoes erupt, and how life originated and evolved. You will learn how Earth resources will fuel the global energy transition and contribute to a sustainable future, and how to locate and best utilise these resources. Applied training will provide you with the skills and knowledge required by the energy, mineral and environmental industries, which includes a wide range of transferrable skills including data processing, statistical analysis and mathematical modelling. Final-year research dissertations will allow you to undertake novel, independent field and laboratory research, and there are opportunities to get involved in active research groups within the School throughout your undergraduate course. Students interested in this course may also be interested in the Environmental Earth Sciences BSc , or the Earth Sciences MGeol Integrated Masters course , which allows you to graduate with a Masters in Earth Sciences. The BSc (Hons) in Geology is a four-year course, or three years for direct entry students, run by the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, which provides students with a combination