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A unique new degree in Environmental Geoscience has been launched at The University of Nottingham in collaboration with the world-renowned British Geological Survey (BGS).
The new course has welcomed its first students who will benefit from the expertise of staff from the world's oldest national geological survey and the United Kingdom's premier centre for earth science information and expertise as well as internationally renowned academics in one of the leading Geography departments in the country.
21st century environmental geoscience is about people and their interaction with the environment. How do people use natural resources such as building materials, groundwater, oil and gas, and how can the environmental and social impact of this use be managed? These are issues which geoscientists have been grappling with for a long time, so this degree is an exciting opportunity for students to draw on natural and social science expertise in becoming the next generation of environmental geoscience professionals.
The University’s Professor of Engineering Geology,
Paul Nathanail, said: “I am excited about this new degree; it fills a gap in University provision and will provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to help protect and manage our fragile home. I am particularly looking forward to working with colleagues from BGS and leading the final year field trip to Cyprus.”
Professor Mike Stephenson, BGS Director of Science & Technology said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for BGS to contribute to the development of the next generation of geoscientists who will be responsible for driving forward research and problem-solving in applied geoscience. There is a pressing need to train experts that are equipped to understand and deal with big societal challenges such as energy and water resource needs and environmental hazards. This new degree course will combine knowledge, expertise and resources from the BGS and the University to equip future scientists to meet these fundamentally important environmental geoscience challenges.”
This degree programme builds on recent collaborations between The University of Nottingham and the British Geological Survey. More information on the partnership can be found
here. The details of the new degree can be found
here.
This week is The Geological Society’s
Earth Science Week which offers an extensive programme of events for anyone interested in this field.
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham has 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, in the top 10 for student experience according to the Times Higher Education and one of the world’s greenest universities.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest-ever fundraising campaign, is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news…