Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford

(Learn how and when to remove this template message)

The Department of Earth Sciences is the Earth Sciences department of the University of Oxford, England, which is part of the university's Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division. The department is based in the Earth Sciences building on South Parks Road in the Science Area.

51°45′31″N 1°15′16″W / 51.7586°N 1.2544°W / 51.7586; -1.2544Websiteearth.ox.ac.uk

Overview

The department's research is broad but with a particular emphasis on geochemistry, geophysics, natural hazards and climate,^[1] and was the top-ranked department nationally in the 2014 REF assessment^[2] as well as ranking highly in international league tables.^[3]^[4] The department teaches an undergraduate degree in Earth Sciences (leading to a 3-year BA in Geology or 4-year MEarthSci in Earth Sciences) with approximately 120 undergraduates, and entry is highly competitive.^[5] The course is interdisciplinary and quantitative, with a major research project in the fourth year. The department has 6 Multi-Collector Mass Spectrometers, 2 ICP Mass Spectrometers, specialised geochemistry, biogeochemistry and petrology laboratories including clean suites, a workshop for sample preparation and a library with c. 10,000 volumes (as well as map collections).^[1]

History

Earth Sciences at the University of Oxford dates back to the 17th Century with the work of naturalists such as Edward Lhuyd and Robert Plot. However, the first formal appointment was in 1813, with William Buckland designated as Reader in Mineralogy, and later Professor of Geology.^[6] The establishment of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History in 1860^[7] was influential in the history of Geology at the University, and has collaborated closely with the Department of Earth Sciences (established as the School of Geology in 1888^[8]) ever since. The School was based in the museum until 1949, where it moved into a new building opposite Keble College (now occupied by the Department of Computer Science). The department moved again in 2010 to the building it occupies now.^[9]

Notable people

References

^ ^a ^b "Department of Earth Sciences » Research Themes". Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Results & submissions : REF 2014 : View results and submissions by UOA". results.ref.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Top universities where you can study Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Earth & Marine Sciences". Top Universities. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Earth Sciences (Geology) | University of Oxford". www.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ Foster, Joseph. "Buckland, William". Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886.
^ "About | Oxford University Museum of Natural History". www.oumnh.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Department of Earth Sciences » History of the Department". Retrieved 19 May 2019.
^ "Earth Sciences building - Oxford Thinking - University of Oxford". www.campaign.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2019.

External links

Website
History of the department
Twitter
Video introduction to the undergraduate course

University of Oxford

Leadership

Colleges

Permanent private halls

Divisions and departments

Humanities	Asian and Middle Eastern Studies American Institute Art Classics History Linguistics, Philology & Phonetics Medieval and Modern Languages Music Philosophy Theology and Religion
Medical Sciences	Biochemistry Human Genetics Medical School Pathology Population Health
Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences	Biology Chemistry Computer Science Earth Sciences Engineering Science Materials Mathematical Institute Physics
Social Sciences	Archaeology Business Continuing Education Economics Government International Development Law Politics & International Relations Social Policy and Intervention
Gardens, Libraries & Museums	Ashmolean Museum Bodleian Libraries Botanic Garden History of Science Natural History Pitt Rivers