The "Geology and Earth Sciences Level 3 Advanced Diploma" course is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of Earth sciences, focusing on the processes that shape the planet. The course begins with an introduction to geology, exploring the fundamentals of Earth sciences, the geological time scale, plate tectonics, and the structure of the Earth’s interior. Students will also study minerals and rocks, essential components of geology, and learn how they are formed and classified.

As the course progresses, students will explore Earth’s surface processes, including weathering, erosion, sedimentary environments, and the dynamics of river systems, glaciers, and coasts. The course delves into structural geology and tectonics, covering faults, folds, earthquakes, seismic activity, and mountain-building processes. Students will also be introduced to geological mapping techniques, such as reading geological maps and constructing cross-sections.

The course further covers Earth’s history and evolution, with lessons on stratigraphy, the study of fossils, paleoclimatology, and the geologic history of the UK. Students will gain an understanding of how geological events have shaped the Earth over millions of years. Environmental geology is another key focus area, where students will study natural hazards, groundwater and hydrogeology, soil science, and the importance of environmental impact assessments.

Geotechnical engineering is also explored, covering soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and site investigations. Students will gain practical experience through fieldwork and laboratory techniques, learning how to collect and analyze geological samples, interpret data, and write scientific reports. The course culminates in an independent research project, where students will develop a research proposal, collect data, analyze findings, and present their results, honing their skills for future scientific work.