Course Overview

Volcanoes are an exciting spectacle, but also a dangerous natural hazard that needs to be understood and predicted. This unique MSc provides you with training in field, theoretical and laboratory volcanology.  We have field visits to study volcanic rocks in the nearby Lake District and a popular optional fieldtrip to Etna.

Taught modules cover the physical processes that generate volcanic and other geological hazards, together with their management. Due to the broad range of optional modules you can also study other types of environmental hazards such as flooding, and pick up useful transferable skills such as geoinformatics or modelling.

You will carry out your dissertation research alongside one of the many internationally recognised experts in LEC.   This MSc is ideal preparation for PhD research or work in the environment sector, and is suitable for students with a wide range of first degrees, including Geography, Geology, Environmental Science and Physics.  

To encourage breadth in our cohort, we offer students with a less numerate background the chance to develop their mathematical skills through a non-assessed support module designed specifically for Masters students.

Core modules:

  • Disaster Management
  • Dissertation Project
  • Geological Hazards
  • Physical Volcanology

Optional modules:

Three optional modules from the following (subject to change)

  • Air Quality and Climate
  • Chemical Risk Assessment
  • Climate Change and Society
  • Contaminated, Land and Remediation
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Data Assimilation and Integration
  • Environmental Applications of Isotope Geochemistry
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Radioactivity
  • Flood Forecasting and Flood Risk Management
  • Geoinformatics
  • Groundwater Resources and Protection
  • Modelling Environmental Processes
  • Volcanic Process Field Course

Please see Postgraduate Module Guide for further information