Course Details
Course Name
Marine Geography (International) MESci
Level of study
Undergraduate
Study Mode
Fulltime
Duration
4 Years
Start Term
Sept
Country
United Kingdom
City
Cardiff
Course Subject
- Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
Course Fees
Inside EU: 9000
Outside EU: 18980
Universities
Cardiff University
Description
The MESci builds upon the equivalent BSc programme by means of a fourth year which enables you to undertake a specialist research project in the area of your choice – and the MESci (International) course also allows you to undertake your third year of study at an overseas university. This is usually, but not exclusively, in North America or Australia. The marks you gain at that university then count towards your Cardiff University degree.
This course is designed for highly qualified candidates who might aim to pursue a research career in academia, government or industry.
Cardiff is the birthplace of the discipline of Marine Geography in the UK. This degree scheme has been running since 1976 and is an extremely successful training route for employment in the marine and coastal sector or for future academic study. The course is an exciting blend of the physical and human geography of deep sea marine and coastal environments.
A major component of this course is that of hands-on fieldwork including coastal and offshore mapping of the marine environment to understand its physical and biological characteristics. This work involves using some of the most advanced and exciting technology available.
Situated in an estuary with a large tidal range and with access to a wide variety of coastal environments, Cardiff is an excellent base for both traditional fieldwork and innovative sea-time training. The School operates its own Research Vessel Guiding Light, a 12-metre boat used by all undergraduates as part of its research-led teaching programme.
Additional fieldwork currently includes overseas field courses to Jersey, Malta and Spain, where aspects of physical geography (such as biodiversity, water quality and seabed mapping) are combined with applied use within human geography (such as legislation, management and science into policy).
For students interested in professional research careers in Marine Geography, the four-year MESci (International) provides a strong basis for investigation and research in this subject.
Distinctive features
One of the special features of this course is that the credits and grades for year three of your degree assessment are acquired at an overseas institution.
A common first term will allow you to experience aspects of Earth Sciences and Geography before finally deciding upon an honours degree programme.
You will have the opportunity to undertake residential field courses abroad which are led by research active staff and you can experience direct involvement in the research pathway, data collection, monitoring and mapping, and report writing.
This applied and industry-relevant degree draws on the traditional skills of the geographer to observe, measure, map and analyse the significance of a wide range of physical and human variables.
Coastal and offshore fieldwork are an important feature of this degree, enabling hands-on training for students to use modern survey methods rather than just learn about them.
In year four you will complete a master's research dissertation which will widen your career options.