About This Course
This degree focuses on the role of the oceans in the Earth system and their influence on climate; past, present and future. The first two years aim at developing a general understanding of the Earth system and the role of the oceans within that system. There is particular focus on the roles of the shallow seas, which surround the continents, and on interactions between ice and the oceans. In the third year you will then specialise with modules including computer modelling of the ocean and a geophysical residential field work. This course therefore places a particular emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge of direct relevance to industry, particularly in relation to issues such as future climate change, sea level rise, marine pollution and exploitation of marine renewable energy. You will be able to investigate practical aspects of physical oceanography through computer modelling, laboratory experiments and fieldwork, which includes a programme on our research ship.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- World-leading research and teaching spanning 50+ years. Our expertise covers all aspects of marine science, with research interests spanning tropical coral reefs to the polar oceans.
- Local fieldwork takes place in the UNESCO designated GeoMôn geopark, Snowdonia National Park, the Menai Strait and the Irish Sea.
- Facilities include a research ship, supercomputers, state-of-the art survey equipment and oceanographic moorings for data collection.
- We share our site with Marine Centre Wales, providing direct links with industry, and those involved with marine renewables, providing opportunities for you to undertake projects with industry.
Course Content
This course involves around 25 – 35 hours per week of lectures, practicals in the laboratory and the field, private study, tutorials and project work. You will also complete literature reviews, exercises, essays, practical and fieldwork write-ups, present and attend seminars and do much reading. In your third year you will work on a dissertation which will be individually supervised by an academic member of staff with the expertise relevant to your project. Your project may take the form of the development and application of numerical models for making predictions of, for example, ocean currents, or the analysis of data. Our assessment methods vary – most modules combine elements of continuous assessment and formal exam.
Facilities
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Careers
This course is ideal preparation for careers, in both industry and academia, associated with marine renewables, climate change research, offshore survey, coastal zone management and broadcast media, where the ability to collect and analyse and animate large numerical data sets using computers and computer graphics is in high demand.
We have a strong record of employability supported by a large Alumni network, which contains many of the leaders of the UK’s offshore industry including marine renewable energy. Many of our graduates return regularly to talk to current undergraduates about career prospects. Alumni also offer direct and personal career advice on request by individual students.
EXPLORE MORE IN OCEAN SCIENCES
Ocean Science at Bangor is unique in encompassing the study of all aspects of the global marine environment, from estuaries and coasts to the deep ocean. We are one of the largest university centres teaching marine sciences in Britain and one of the biggest in Europe.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. 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 your 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.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Skills and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.