MEarthSci Geology with Planetary Science: The University of Manchester

Course description

This programme is offered over 4 years and provides students with a broad background in Earth Sciences, whilst incorporating the latest ideas about how solar systems and planets form and evolve. In the fourth year students follow several MSc courses and complete a research project in planetary science.

Planetary Science is an inter-disciplinary subject that brings together geologists, astronomers, physicists, chemists and biologists to study the evolution of the solar system.

Manchester is the only conventional teaching university with an internationally-renowned research group devoted to the analysis of extra-terrestrial materials. They are thus ideally placed to offer distinctive and high quality degree programmes in this area. The programmes are two-thirds geology and one third planetary science and you will therefore gain a thorough grounding in geology as well as being equipped with a high degree of numeracy and the background knowledge to understand complementary disciplines such as observational astronomy.

Planetary courses will embrace such topics as Solar System Expiration, Astrobiology, Water on Mars and Extra-terrestrial Materials and their Properties. MEarthSci students have the opportunity of undertaking a research project on an agreed topic in Planetary Science.

Career opportunities

Most careers open to earth scientists will also be open to graduates of this programme. Competent scientists with analytical and numerical skills are sought after in many laboratory-based disciplines. They expect many graduates to continue to further degrees.

Entry requirements

• A level: Grades BBB which should include at least 1 science. Two AS-levels are accepted in place of one A-level. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer.
• Scottish: Highers: AABBC including two science subjects, one of which must be Mathematics or Physics. Advanced Highers: ABC.
• International baccalaureate: A minimum of 32 points with at least 16 at higer level and including htwo sciences at higher level.
• GCSE: English Language, Mathematics and at least one science required at grades C or above.
• English language requirements: 6.5 IELTS or equivalent English qualification.