This qualification is suitable for those who want to explore current aspects of Earth Science at postgraduate level, investigating how the interactions and feedbacks between the Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are dependent upon each other and interact at a variety of temporal and spatial scales.
You will learn to critically evaluate current front line research and gain the skills that you will need to keep your knowledge of Earth Science up to date. You will discover how to deal with complex interacting Earth systems and understand the consequences for changing the balance between different components. You will also learn to quantify some parts of Earth systems, and communicate scientific information and conclusions to specialists and non-specialists.
Studying with us
You will be allocated a tutor to guide you through each course and you will get access to an enormous range of electronic resources via the OU library (such as current journal articles, databases and ebooks).
This MSc starts with one of our third level undergraduate courses but if you already have a degree in Earth Science (or related subject) then you may be eligible for credit transfer for this element.
The final course is a compulsory project course that allows you to undertake a substantial piece of independent research based on the knowledge and skills you will have developed in the other courses. This will allow you to focus the MSc onto an aspect of Earth Science that particularly interests you.
Further information on the MSc in Earth Science and details of our courses can be found here:
MSc in Earth Science.
You can see Professor Simon Kelley talking about the MSc in Earth Science here.
If you have any queries please contact us at MSc-Science@open.ac.uk