We are very lucky to be able to travel to a number of geologically significant sites across the world for the various field trips we get to go on as part of the undergraduate Earth Sciences course. These field trips provide a great opportunity to see the things we've learnt about during the course in the real world, and allow students to make connections between different aspects of the course. It is worth noting that attendance on all the field trips is compulsory, and that these trips will take place outside of term time, so you will need to ensure that you are available. However we are really lucky in that all travel, food and accomodation costs are covered by the Department, and in addition you will be provided with the majority of the field and safety equipment that you will need for free! For many students, the field trips are the highlight of their time at Oxford!
|
1st Year
Pembrokeshire, Wales
At the end of your Freshers' week you will be whisked away for a few days to Pembrokeshire. It's a great opportunity to get to know all the students in your year group better, making strong inter-year bonds that many other subjects never get the chance to do. It's also a great place to learn and practice some introductory field work techniques.
|
Isle of Arran, Scotland
A chance to apply the knowledge you've gained over the year to a real world example. You'll continue to hone your field skills and observations over this ten day trip which typically takes place at the end of the Easter Vac in your first year.
2nd Year
Dorset, England
More focussed on sedimentary rocks, this delightful, often sunny field trip takes place at the end of your first Summer Vac just before you begin the 2nd year of your degree. There will be various evening activities to complete throughout the week relating to your day in the field. This year activities included making a startigraphic log, a geology map and cross section and doing statistical analysis on belemnite fossils that we collected ourselves on from the Belemnite Marls on Charmouth beach. After the trip everybody writes a short essay about what you saw on the field trip and the geological history of Dorset, as an opportunity to practice for your 3rd year extended essay coursework.
|
Assynt, Scotland
This trip is predominantly aimed at making sure you are fully prepared and know what you are doing in the field before you go out on your Independent Mapping Project. This trip lasts for ten days typically at the end of the Easter Vac in your second year. This trip covers a range of different rock types, and you'll even get the opportunity to spend a few days doing a mini mapping project exercise.
|
Independent Mapping Project
In the Summer between your 2nd and 3rd year you and a partner or a small group of your coursemates will have the opportunity to go anywhere in the world to complete your 'Independent Mapping Project'. Previous students have ventured all across the UK, Europe and some even far as Greenland, New Zealand, the USA, Namibia, and more! For more information about what the mapping project entails click here!
|
3rd Year
Almería, Spain
Improved weather awaits with your first field trip overseas! Taking place in the Easter Vac, this is the last trip with the whole year group. The aim of this trip is to consolidate the knowledge you have acquired over the last few years, highlighting a large range of types of rocks and structures as well as linking to various modules within the 3rd year course. In the interdisciplinary paper you will sit during your 3rd year examinations, you may be asked to talk about various geological aspects of this field trip, so make sure to take notes as you go along!
4th Year
Greece or Bermuda
In 4th year, you will get the choice between going to Bermuda (if you are more interested in the climate or oceanography aspects of the course) or to Greece (if you are more interested in plate tectonics, igneous and/or sedimentary geology). These field trips both take place around the same time, at the end of the Summer Vac before you return to start your 4th year. For many students this is their favourite field trip of all!
For more information about the various field trips we go on as part of the course, make sure to read through the Earth Sciences Undergraduate Handbook and the Field Courses page on the Department's website. Also make sure to check out some of the videos below:
|
|
Copyright © 2020 Oxford University Geological Society
|