Postgraduate Geoscience 2024-2025

In this course, we will cover how studies of the other planets of the solar system have helped us understand Earth's atmosphere. We will review the fundamental physical and chemical processes in planetary atmospheres, and we will provide an up-to-date overview of modelling, observation methods and missions to study planetary atmospheres.

This course will provide an overview of planetary remote sensing principles and methods. The students will be trained on performing geospatial integration and analysis of different spatial datasets. This course introduces the students to the theoretical problems and practice of data capture, handling and methods of analysis of spatial data.

This course gives an overview of the main aspects of the development and exploitation of instrumentation for space exploration. In this course the student will get introduced to the main stages of design of space exploration mission and its instrumentation, the constraints that must be satisfied, and how the data are produced and released. The training will be focused on practical cases, using when possible online tools. Students will get some basic training on project management in space projects, structural and thermal modelling and will get familiarized with the ECSS standards and the planetary data archive.

This course will explore the origins and likely extent of life on Earth and in the Solar System. We will begin by discussing the elements and building blocks of life and processes that can make precursors of life (e.g. amino acids). We will then discuss how microbial life may be fossilised and how to identify ancient and extra-terrestrial signs of life. We will make use of our excellent analytical facilities to show how biotic signals can be distinguished from abiotic effects, including exploring organic carbon biomarkers, and using examples of fossilisation of microorganisms by siliceous and carbonate minerals from lakes, streams, hot-springs and oceans. From there, we will be able to explore potentially habitable environments of our Solar System, and learn about current and future astrobiological exploration missions (Martian rovers and orbiters, asteroid, comets, sample return, ocean worlds…)

This course deals with the key Geological Basins of the African Continent onshore and offshore. The course concentrates on the genesis, tectonics, structure and deposition of the basin fill.  The course will deal with numerous case studies of exploration and production of energy resources. A great deal of emphasis is placed on improving understanding of where future potential untapped opportunities lie across the African continent, and what knowledge and technical barriers presently exist preventing exploitation of these resources. 

This course deals with advanced exploration techniques within energy exploration and production geosciences.   The content considers all technical and practical aspects of sedimentary basin analysis and data integration used in the identification and quantification of subsurface energy resources.  Detailed instruction will be given on the use and integration of seismic, well, gravity, magnetic, seep analysis, geochemistry and remote sensing to better understand the subsurface. The course will also give the fundamentals of how energy resources can be developed and put into production.   The course consists of lectures and practical sessions, including group work. A great emphasis is placed on how to integrate and communicate this data in a business-critical manner.

The student will select, undertake and complete a research-based dissertation project. In choosing and approving a suitable topic, consideration will be given to the student's background and skills, their career interests, suitable data availability, and the possibility of an external placement.