Geology

Geology is a science that provides an essential contribution to an understanding of the Earth and our Solar System. The subject centres on the study of minerals and rocks and the processes of their formation and distribution.  Uniquely, it introduces the concept of geological time which, with the study of fossils and the rock record, enables a reconstruction of Earth and Planetary history.

It considers the nature of geological hazards and their management and a range of issues that affect people’s daily lives.  Geology affects the environment we build, providing the resources for the building and manufacturing industries, the energy to fuel them and the environment for society’s waste.  It is perhaps the most interdisciplinary and integrated of the sciences, providing a broad, scientifically relevant education.
Laboratory work and, particularly fieldwork, for all levels of ability, encourage accurate observation and analysis.  These studies also develop a very wide range of skills that are transferable to many learning situations.

It is a subject that is intrinsically interesting and is suitable as a training for leisure.  Once you have studied Geology you will never see the world in the same way again.

  • THEME 1 A JEWEL IN SPACE: The Earth’s position in the Solar System and the vastness of the Universe.
  • THEME 2 THINGS GEOLOGICAL:  Geological exposures are formed of minerals, rocks and fossils, which are linked through the rock cycle.
  • THEME 3 THE MAGIC OF MINERALS:  Minerals are the main components of rocks and form in many different ways.  Important mineral finds are discovered by prospecting and extracted by mining.
  • THEME 4a DYNAMIC DEPOSITION: The processes of weathering, erosion and transportation form a range of sedimentary rocks in many environments. 
  • Theme 4b RESERVOIR ROCKS: Sedimentary rocks hold important natural resources like water, oil and gas.
  • THEME 5 MAGMA ON THE MOVE: The formation and movement of magma results in a range of geological events and the formation of a variety of igneous rocks.
  • THEME 6 SQUASHED AND HEATED: The action of heat and pressure can result in the formation of changed metamorphic rocks.
  • THEME 7 THE GEOLOGICAL MACHINE: The development of the concept of plate tectonics and its control on all geological processes.
  • THEME 8 A DANGEROUS PLACE TO LIVE: The nature of geological hazards, their effects on people and how the risks may be reduced.
  • THEME 9 GOOD TIMING: Rock exposures contain evidence of geological events and the time at which they occurred.  Rocks can be dated in a number of ways.
  • THEME 10 MAGIC IN THE ROCKS: Great fossil finds and their importance to Geology.
  • THEME 11 HOT AND COLD: Changes in global temperatures and sea-level and the human impacts on climate change.
  • THEME 12 A JOURNEY IN TIME: The origin and development of life.  The British Isles through geological time.
  • THEME 13 ROCKS UNDER STRESS: The instability of the Earth’s crust results in the formation of structures such as folds and faults.  Geotechnical geologists consider the stability of the crust for construction.
  • THEME 14 THE GEOLOGIST’S PUZZLEBOX: interpreting Geological maps is like doing a crossword for keen geologists.

Assessment

  • THEORY PAPER – COMPONENT 1 50% 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES: An on-screen, non-tiered paper of structured data and stimulus response questions.
  • THEORY PAPER - COMPONENT 2 50% 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES: A written, non-tiered paper of structured data and stimulus response questions

Field investigations

Field investigations are fundamental to Geology and five field excursions are carried out in the local area over the period of the course.  On the field excursions, students learn a range of skills and begin to appreciate how an area can be analysed in terms of its Geology.  These field trips satisfy the fieldwork requirements for the course and the understanding gained in the field together with excellent tuition in school leads to exceptional results year on year with a majority of grades being A* or A.

Careers

A career in Geology can take many forms, including working in the mining industry, oil and gas exploration, hazard evaluation (volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis), water supply, geological mapping, engineering, geochemistry, geophysics, palaeontology (the study of fossils), environmental Geology, the study of climate change, and even investigating the Geology of other planets and their moons.  A career in Geology offers great opportunities for travel and, at the present time, there is a huge demand for students with a degree in this subject, with the monetary rewards and opportunities for travel being considerable.