Course description
Course description
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. We 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.
Special features
-Flexibility of choice of programmes.
-Integrates and applies scientific disciplines to problems of immense economic and social importance.
The main advantages of studying BSc/MEarthSci (Hons) Earth Sciences with Planetary Science at the University of Manchester are:
-you have a large range of available course units (from Earth surface processes to palaeontology via comparative planetology and solar system evolution).
-you be will taught by academics who are internationally known for research in their fields
-the courses are taught in a friendly close-knit environment that integrates a variety of formal and informal teaching methods
-much of our research is directly integrated into our teaching so you will be involved with cutting-edge investigations in a highly-rated research department.
-you will learn how to communicate effectively
-you will be able to follow the exploration of the solar system as it is happening
-All accommodation and transport costs on compulsory school-led field trips are met by the University.
Career opportunities
Graduates from the Department of Earth Sciences can enter employment in a wide range of occupations as well as having the opportunity to pursue further study. Past graduates of our existing courses have found work in the petroleum industry, in geological surveys, in industries that exploit minerals and increasingly in the environmental sector. These opportunities will be available to graduates of this new course, who will have the added advantage of enhanced numerical skills. Whichever area you go into there are plenty of opportunities to work overseas.
SEAES has close links with industry including oil companies (BP, BG, Shell, Norsk Hydro, Esso), mining corporations (Castle Cement, Chelwood Brick, Rio Tinto), environmental agencies (Dames and Moore, NRA, Environment Agency) and research centres in planetary science. In addition, we have close links with the Greater Manchester Geological Unit (a consultancy dealing with Urban Geology and local environmental regeneration). You will be able to exploit these links for experience and career opportunities.