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Oceanography vs Geology Courses

Hello, I have only a week to finish my UCAS application and I still have not decided weather to do a land based geology type course or to do oceanography. I am interested in natural disasters and the energy of the natural processes and I want to have a meaning full job in the future (with good pay). I'm also interested in meteorology and love to be out in the sea (also a sea cadet). I have been to a few different talks at open days and all the modules I have liked for both different type of course. Oceanography looks more fun and very interesting, but i'm not sure if it will cover all the things I want. With climate change becoming a larger problem I would also like to be in a job that can help, but again both courses can. I'm also thinking about going in to the energy sector and both course types can get me there. I do Biology, Chemistry and Maths (stat) for A level and predicted ABC. I have made spreadsheets and spent a lot of time looking but I keep changing my mind. The courses I was thinking of was Geo Hazards, Environmental science, Mining engineering, Paleontology, Geology and petroleum geology, Engineering geology and geotechnics, Environmental geology, oceanography. I am happy for any other course suggestions... So which do I choose? Oceanography or another one? Thank you.

Reply 1

RedLight27

I'm in the same position, I have so many interests when it comes to science and I'm deciding between Environmental science or Ecology and Conservation.

My advice would be to look at different unis that offer the same course and read through their modules and see what interests you. Because some unis specialise in other things for example, 1 might specialise in the chemistry side of geology whereas 1 might specialise in the physical side.

Both sciences are very broad, so you need know what you want to study. The environmental side, the biological/chemical side etc.

I've looked at Exeter's courses for an example. Their Oceanography course has modules of mainly natural process and ecology core modules and some maths and geology optional modules. Their Geology course has a lot of physical and chemistry geology core modules, and paleoclimate change, paleobiology, environmental geology and more as optional modules.

Reply 2

Plagioclase

Original post by AdamWallisjr

First of all, check for Geology or Oceanography or Earth Sciences courses that have modules that cover both subjects (because, for instance, mine does). This is probably particularly likely at institutions that do a lot of work in ocean science, such as Southampton and Exeter. Secondly, some universities allow you to have quite a lot of flexibility in module choice (e.g. most Scottish universities, Liverpool and Durham's Natural Sciences programme) which might allow you to study both in a reasonable amount of detail. Otherwise, you are going to have to reach some kind of a decision. If you say that Oceanography "looks more fun and interesting" then I'd say that's the better bet, although it is potentially going to make it more difficult for you to get into areas like mining, energy or geotechnics (if you do this, I'd strongly recommend taking as many maths and computing modules as possible).

Reply 3

AdamWallisjr

Thank you all for the help, I have decided to go for a broader course because i'm still a little stuck. I think I will be choosing Geology as many of the modules are on the subjects i'm interested in, even oceanography is in a few as well as natural hazards (which I would defiantly do as a course alone, but worried I wont get a job/good job). Although many need ABB A-Leves many accept lower ones like BBB/BCC so its not an unrealistic option. And whats to say I wont achieve higher than my predicted grades and get ABB anyway? Thank you for your help, better finish my other personal statement now...