BSc (Hons) Ocean and Geophysics (with Placement)

Physical Oceanographers and marine geophysicists are in great demand and are required to tackle issues such as predicting future climate and sea-level change, marine pollution dispersion and exploitation of marine renewable energy. The aim of this programme is to inspire and prepare students to be professional physical and geophysical marine scientists – whether that is to be in research or industry. The course achieves this by providing students with a suitable combination of skills and knowledge. Generic skills e.g. self -learning, time management, numerical skills as well as subject specific ones including numerical problem solving and making observations in the natural environment. In the final year, the students specialise following either and Ocean Physics route (focusing on process understanding and numerical modelling) or a Geophysics route focusing on characterisation and observation of near surface marine sedimentary environments. The course therefore places a particular emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge of direct relevance to industry.The placement year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with an organization relevant to your degree subject. Previous and current students have worked with a wide variety of placement providers, ranging from private companies to educational organizations, charities, government authorities and non-governmental organizations. Our students who have undertaken a placement year have highlighted how the experience has helped them to develop invaluable networks, confidence and life experience as well as subject knowledge and skills that have boosted their employability.The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of their second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.