Physical Geography and Oceanography BSc (Hons) at Bangor University

Please note: This course was previously known as Marine Geography BSc with UCAS code F842.

The land borders the ocean via the coastal zone. Understanding how these environments are related to each other is important for many societal and economic reasons, and requires an integrated approach to the subject, as most of the world’s population lives near, or exploits, the coastal zone. The Physical Geography and Oceanography course ensures research-led teaching of both terrestrial (e.g. rivers, glaciers) and marine (e.g. waves, tides, density currents, sea level) processes. These processes control the movement of water, sediment and biogeochemical components (such as carbon) from the land into the sea. This course also integrates these process to examine the impacts ofenvironmental change, climate, sea level and pollution on the health and sustainability of terrestrial and marine environments.

Why choose Bangor University for this course?

• Our multidisciplinary team of highly land-based and marine sciences that span glacial and riverine to coastal and deep ocean environments.

• You will be taught by award-winning staff in a vibrant, innovative and supportive learning environment, providing you with essential, transferrable graduate-level skills.
• Studying physical geography in combination with oceanography allows you to learn about the diverse and complex interactions at the land-ocean transition.
• We have a £3.5m ocean-going research ship (RV Prince Madog) as well as several smaller inshore survey boats, which are all used for teaching.
• Bangor’s ‘Year of International Experience’ allows you to study or work abroad as part of your degree.
• Bangor offers a unique location for studying physical geography and oceanography set against the backdrop of the dramatic north Wales coastline, Menai Strait, and the mountains of Snowdonia National Park.

Careers

The Schools of Ocean Science (SOS) and Environment, Natural Resources and Geography (SENRGy) have a 'hands on' approach to teaching that is well known in the marine and environmental science communities. Graduates in disciplines related to Geography and Geology are very employable. Our intellectually challenging course is designed to give you strong transferrable skills and an understanding of the land-based and marine environment.

The purpose of this degree is to enhance the employability of graduates and a high proportion of graduates monitored gain employment within both the public and private sector, and rapidly progress within their organisations. This is degree award dependent. We give students a mix of transferrable skills, current subject-specific knowledge and understanding to equip them for this purpose. They are competent in interpersonal skills, can achieve deadlines for a variety of different outputs and are equipped to work individually or in a team. They are well conversant with relevant ICT skills, including database and internet searching, literature searching and evaluation, statistical analysis, mathematical modelling and the use of geographical information systems.

Field visits and field courses provide an opportunity to engage with professionals working in the field and to relate classroom teaching to real-world practice.

In addition, students have opportunities to gain work experience by opting for a year out or international academic experience through a semester/year studying abroad (ERASMUS+).

Our graduates are numerate, literate, team-players, and critical and analytical thinkers, with excellent communication skills. You will be ideally placed to gain employment within the geosciences sector: water/environmental consultancies, geological/earth sciences industry, coastal/marine sciences, and oceanography. The course also provides a route into postgraduate study/research.