Short course
Geology: An Introduction to the Science of Planet Earth
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
07/10/2026 - 02/12/202619:00 - 21:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
Geology combines all the basic sciences in a broad-ranging discipline for studying the way Planet Earth works.
We start with the origin of the Earth, its chemical composition and internal structure. Minerals are the building blocks of rocks – igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. Fossils and chemical signatures reveal that life existed on this planet from billions of years ago. Although we work on a very long timescale, some of the principles of geology are relatively new, eg plate tectonics and radiometric dating were unknown until the 20th century.
Geology has never been more relevant than it is today, with mankind facing issues such as natural disasters, species diversity, climate change and the energy transition, indeed, a knowledge of geology could be the key to our survival.
This is a hands-on course, which will include classroom time working with geological specimens. Students are encouraged to ask questions and initiate discussion, and do bring in your own specimens if you like.
There will be eight classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings, with a half-term break on 4 November, and two fieldwork sessions on a weekend day in November.
No prior academic knowledge is assumed.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 7 October 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 7.00-9.00pm and at a field location.
There will be eight in-person classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings, 7.00-9.00pm, with a half-term break on 4 November, and two fieldwork sessions on a weekend day in November.
Please note: There will be no class on Wednesday 4th November
Week 1: Course introduction. Planet Earth and the solar system. Chemical composition of Earth’s core, mantle and crust. Geological time.
Week 2: Minerals and rocks. Properties of minerals and how to describe and identify them. The geological cycle in continental crust. Practical work on mineralogy.
Week 3: Plate tectonics. Causes and locations of earthquakes and volcanoes, origins and chemistry of igneous rocks. Practical work on igneous rocks.
Week 4: Sedimentary rocks and the science of stratigraphy. Practical work on sedimentary rocks. Complete and hand in any remaining practical worksheets for marking and feedback.
Wednesday 4th November – Half term break, no class.
Week 5: Metamorphic rocks and mountain belts. Metamorphic minerals that tell about temperatures and pressures within the Earth. Practical work on metamorphic rocks.
Week 6: Life through geological time. Earth as the ‘goldilocks planet’. From the simplest cells, to trilobites, ammonites, dinosaurs, mankind. Practical work on fossils.
Week 7: Geological history of Planet Earth and the building of the British Isles. Relation of global events to British geology. Complete and hand in any remaining practical worksheets. Answers to practical questions.
Week 8: Planet Earth’s environments and resources. Climate change through geological time, and now. The role of geology in the energy transition.
Week 9: Field trip(s) to see local geology: dates to be confirmed but provisionally 14th, 15th or 21st November.
Please note: students will have to arrange their own transport for the field trip, and cover the cost of any entry fees.
Teaching methods
Classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings will each include a lecture and a chance to examine geological specimens and/or microscope slides.
The course includes organised practical work, in which students will be able to engage with minerals, rocks and fossils. Practical work done in class may be handed in for marking if desired, but this does not count towards assessment or accreditation.
Students are encouraged to take notes, and are shown how to observe and record geological information. There will be opportunities for discussion and for identification of students’ own specimens.
A local field trip will be arranged, provisionally on Saturday 14, Sunday 15 or Saturday 21st November, morning and afternoon, to be agreed with the class at the first session.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:
- understand the basic principles of geological science, including present and past geological processes and events, the nature of geological materials and the development of life forms;
- know how to identify the most common rocks, minerals and fossils;
- be familiar with the scientific methods of observation and description used in geology, and with the critical examination of geological evidence.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
Preparatory coursework of 500 words may be submitted at any time before the last classroom session. This does not count towards your final outcome, but researching it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Course aims
Geology is the study of Planet Earth. This course introduces the scientific study of rocks, minerals, fossils, and the natural processes that form surface and subsurface features such as volcanoes, mineral deposits, mountain chains and ocean floors.
Course objectives
- To introduce the concepts underlying geological science, the interpretation of geological evidence for the way the Earth is made, the processes that produce geological materials, features and environments, and the relevance of geology in understanding present day phenomena such as climate change.
- To introduce practical skills of observation, description and recognition of commonly occurring rocks, minerals, fossils, geological outcrops and structures, in the lab and in the field.
- To lay the foundations of geological science upon which more advanced geological study may be undertaken in the future; to provide a way-in to the subject, so that students may find out information for themselves.
Programme details
Course starts Wednesday 7 October 2026
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Wednesdays, 7.00-9.00pm and at a field location.
There will be eight in-person classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings, 7.00-9.00pm, with a half-term break on 4 November, and two fieldwork sessions on a weekend day in November.
Please note: There will be no class on Wednesday 4th November
Week 1: Course introduction. Planet Earth and the solar system. Chemical composition of Earth’s core, mantle and crust. Geological time.
Week 2: Minerals and rocks. Properties of minerals and how to describe and identify them. The geological cycle in continental crust. Practical work on mineralogy.
Week 3: Plate tectonics. Causes and locations of earthquakes and volcanoes, origins and chemistry of igneous rocks. Practical work on igneous rocks.
Week 4: Sedimentary rocks and the science of stratigraphy. Practical work on sedimentary rocks. Complete and hand in any remaining practical worksheets for marking and feedback.
Wednesday 4th November – Half term break, no class.
Week 5: Metamorphic rocks and mountain belts. Metamorphic minerals that tell about temperatures and pressures within the Earth. Practical work on metamorphic rocks.
Week 6: Life through geological time. Earth as the ‘goldilocks planet’. From the simplest cells, to trilobites, ammonites, dinosaurs, mankind. Practical work on fossils.
Week 7: Geological history of Planet Earth and the building of the British Isles. Relation of global events to British geology. Complete and hand in any remaining practical worksheets. Answers to practical questions.
Week 8: Planet Earth’s environments and resources. Climate change through geological time, and now. The role of geology in the energy transition.
Week 9: Field trip(s) to see local geology: dates to be confirmed but provisionally 14th, 15th or 21st November.
Please note: students will have to arrange their own transport for the field trip, and cover the cost of any entry fees.
Teaching methods
Classroom sessions on Wednesday evenings will each include a lecture and a chance to examine geological specimens and/or microscope slides.
The course includes organised practical work, in which students will be able to engage with minerals, rocks and fossils. Practical work done in class may be handed in for marking if desired, but this does not count towards assessment or accreditation.
Students are encouraged to take notes, and are shown how to observe and record geological information. There will be opportunities for discussion and for identification of students’ own specimens.
A local field trip will be arranged, provisionally on Saturday 14, Sunday 15 or Saturday 21st November, morning and afternoon, to be agreed with the class at the first session.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to:
- understand the basic principles of geological science, including present and past geological processes and events, the nature of geological materials and the development of life forms;
- know how to identify the most common rocks, minerals and fossils;
- be familiar with the scientific methods of observation and description used in geology, and with the critical examination of geological evidence.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
Preparatory coursework of 500 words may be submitted at any time before the last classroom session. This does not count towards your final outcome, but researching it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Dr Carol Lister
Carol has a doctorate in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, a master’s degree in Applied Landscape Archaeology, and many years’ experience as a Professional Geologist and University Teacher.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Level and demands
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Module code: O26P518GEW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.