MSc (Research) Earth Sciences - Palaeoclimates

University of Birmingham

The Earth Sciences Research MSc facilitates independent research. Our research groups focus on the following themes: palaeobiology, palaeoclimatology, plate tectonics and volcanic processes. Focus is on independent research with minimal taught content. Training depends on supervisory capacity and research group interests. Submit a well-formulated proposal, followed by an interview. Additional bench fees or lab costs may apply. This theme brings together multiple disciplines to reconstruct and model past climate systems. Palaeoclimate research at Birmingham integrates sedimentologists, palaeontologists, geochemists and climate modellers to produce an integrated view of ancient palaeoenvironmental change. Our time periods of study stretch from detailed investigations of the sedimentology and glacial process of Proterozoic “snowball earth” events, to super high-resolution speleothem reconstructions and General Circulation Model simulations of Holocene climate. Analytical facilities available to palaeoclimate researchers in the group include a new organic geochemistry suite dedicated to palaeoenvironmental reconstruction (GC-FID, GC-MS, GC-ir-MS, LC-APCI-MS) as well as trace metal (ICP-MS and –OES), stable isotope and nanoparticle characterisation facilities within the School. Researchers also benefit from significant recent investment in central University analytical capability including, SEM/TEM suite, Secondary Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), state-of-the-art XRF and XRD suite. We also have a strong relationship with the NERC Ion Microprobe Facility at the University of Edinburgh with numerous successful grants in the past 2/3 years.