Geology in the Field



Overview

Rocks are all around us, in the field, on the ground, beneath our feet, wherever we go. But how many of us are aware of the different rock types in our own local area, and their influence on landscape and scenery, flora and fauna, human settlement and activities, and public health and safety?  How many of us have seen the evidence in the rocks for changing climates and natural environments over geological time?

Geology may be studied in the lab, or from theoretical principles, but fieldwork involves examining rocks at first hand and in situ. Techniques include learning how to look and what to look for, keeping a field note book, recording observations, drawing labelled diagrams, measurements, plotting outcrops on a map, interpreting the geological causes of landscape features, placing the observed geology in a local and regional context, and care of specimens.  We also learn how to be safe in quarries and other geological locations, and how to understand the geology in places where there are no natural outcrops.

Complete beginners are welcomed, as well as experienced geology students.

For the field trips you will need: stout footwear, outdoor clothing, and the means of writing notes, e.g. a small A5-sized, hard-backed notebook plus pen/pencil is the most suitable.  Other equipment that would be useful includes a tape-measure/ruler, a scale for photographs and a x10 hand lens. If we visit working quarries, you may like to have your own hard hat and high-visibility jacket (tutor has some spares).  

Each year we visit a new set of localities to see a range of geological features.

“...the best geologist is [the one] who has seen most rocks”

(HH Read, 1889-1970).

Programme details

Course starts: 12 May 2026

Week 1: 10:30 – 12:30 At Ewert House:  Introduction to the course. Geology of Oxfordshire and nearby counties. 

For the next four weeks, we meet 10:00 am at field locations to be advised.  The following schedule is provisional, and may have to be changed or rearranged to allow for conditions and permissions at the time:

Week 2: 10:00 – 15:00/16:00 The Jurassic of Oxfordshire

Week 3: 10:00 – 15:00/16:00 Cotswold Stone

Week 4: 10:00 – 15:00/16:00 Rock formations in neighbouring counties

Week 5: 10:00 – 15:00/16:00 Exploring some older rocks

Week 6: 10:30 – 12:30 At Ewert House:  Review and discussion of week 2-5 fieldwork

Weeks 1 and 6 are single two hour sessions in the morning. Weeks 2-5 will consist of two x 2 hour sessions at field locations with lunch break in between.

Digital Certification

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points

Digital Certificate of Completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Please note students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

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.

Course aims

  • To introduce techniques for geological fieldwork, examining outcrops in Oxfordshire and nearby counties.
  • To study rocks in outcrop, and identify rock types, structures, minerals and fossils.
  • To demonstrate and practice geological field techniques.
  • To observe the distribution of rock types, and the consequences for landscape and the natural and human environment.

Teaching methods

After an introductory session at Ewert House, teaching and learning will take place during full-day sessions at field locations. We will examine rock outcrops and topography associated with particular rock types. Instruction will be given in recording and interpreting the geology, and the principles of geological mapping. Students will be asked to keep a field notebook. In the final session at Ewert House, we will review everything that we have seen on our field trips.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will be expected to:

  • know how to recognise some common rock types, structures, minerals and fossils in the field;
  • know how to make measurements, record field observations, and collect data for geological maps;
  • understand the geology of Oxfordshire and beyond.

Assessment methods

Students may either hand in their field notebook at the end of the course, or may choose to write up the field trips in the form of a report not exceeding 1500 words, or a more general essay of about 1500 words.

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.

Application

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Students who do not register for assessment and credit 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 you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. 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 background information, studying geological maps, or preparing for the next day of fieldwork.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support