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Exeter Scholars

Earth and Environmental Sciences

The sun setting over Falmouth harbour

Our landscape is changing. This Exeter Scholars strand provides an opportunity to get a taster of what it is like to be at the forefront of learning about the Earth and the environments that we live in. We will host several types of sessions for you to get involved with, from lab work to interactive talks and activities, and (weather permitting) a fantastic field trip to see first-hand how our beautiful Cornish landscape is changing. This strand is an excellent opportunity to find out what it is like studying subject such as Engineering, Geography, Geology, Marine Science, and Environmental Science at degree level.

  Day Date Time Location
1 TBC January 2025 TBC Penryn campus, Cornwall
2 TBC February 2025 TBC Penryn campus, Cornwall
3 TBC March 2025 TBC Penryn campus, Cornwall
4 TBC April 2025 TBC Penryn campus, Cornwall
5 TBC June 2025 TBC Penryn campus, Cornwall
6 TBC July 2025 TBC TBC

Activity locations

All subject activity sessions will take place on the University of Exeter Penryn campus, Cornwall, with the potential exception of one field trip.

Session One: Introductory Session 

Date: W/C 27th January  

Content:  

  • Introduction to programme and department 
  • Ice breakers and group activities 
  • Campus tour 
  • Student Life Q&A 

Leads: WPC, ESA and academic. 


Session Two: Big Data and Coding 

Date: W/C 17th February 

Content: 

  • Basics of coding and data 
  • Use of algorithms and AI 
  • How this all interlinks with subject specific content 

Leads: Jo Browse  


Session Three
: Introduction to Engineering  

Date: March 

Content:  

  • Introduction to Engineering and activities in REEF and labs 

Leads: Declan Vogt & Faryal Khalid 

 
Session Four: Geography and Alumni Session  

Date: April 

Content: 

  • Alumni & current student session  
  • Look at strategic subjects to promote but will have an activity 

Leads: Dave Reynolds 


Session Five: Earth Sciences & Geology Introduction  

Date: June 

Content:  

  • Introduction to Earth Sciences and the activity topic 
  • Lab session investigating the use of the longest-lived animals on Earth (marine clams) to understand climate changes 
  • Introduction to Geology 
  • Activity in Geology lab 

Leads: Dave Reynolds (academic), Jane Earland (PGR), Matthew Mason (PGR), Declan Vogt (academic) & Geology Academic (TBC) 


Session Six: Geology Session 

Date: July 

Content:  

  • Ideally a field trip to Godrevy - 45 mins travel both ways 
  • 30 min presentation 
  • Background geology and subjects including climate change in Earth history and coastal erosion  

Leads: Robin Shail & Aveen Hameed 

This subject activity strand has contributions from the following degree programmes:

  • BA/BSc Geography
  • BSc Environmental Science
  • BSc Geology
  • BSc Geography with Geology
  • MSc Environmental Science
  • BSc Marine Science

Priority will be given to students studying one of the following at A Level or the equivalent qualification: 

Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design and Technology, Electronics, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only), Marine Science, Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Science (applied), Sport Science, Statistics 

 Students must have achieved GCSE grades 4/C or above in English Language and Mathematics. 

In order to pass the programme, you must attend a minimum of 5 out of 6 subject activity sessions, as well as the Exeter Scholars Student Conference.