BSc (Hons) Earth Science

Key Points

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Earth science investigates the functioning, development and use of the Earth’s physical environment and involves the study of its atmosphere and oceans, its surface processes and its crust and interior. It also involves the study of the Earth’s natural and physical resources and incorporates interdisciplinary themes from the traditional disciplines of geography, geology, geophysics, oceanography and biological sciences.

Program description

The course focuses on applying knowledge from these disciplines to understand and solve problems. The growth of the course has responded to the changing demands of industry and the practical needs of interdisciplinary scientific research, along with the needs arising from increased community awareness of the Earth, environmental stresses and patterns of change.

Earth scientists are involved in a variety of environmentally based careers that draw on their extensive laboratory and computational skills and experience.

Career options

Typical careers for Earth Science graduates include:

  • Mineral and water exploration
  • Geological
  • Geophysical and terrestrial topography
  • Geotechnical services
  • Conservation of natural resources
  • Mapping
  • Management and planning
  • Oceanography and marine sciences

Many transferable skills are also fostered through different learning approaches, including critical thinking, problem solving, report writing, oral presentations, statistical analysis, independent research and time management.

Program structure

  • Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution
  • Physiology and structure of plants and animals 
  • Habitats and Ecosystems 
  • Introduction to Chemistry for Environmental Scientists 
  • Applied Earth Systems 
  • Environment 
  • Introduction to physical geography 
  • Introduction to geology 
  • Geological evolution of Ireland 
  • Calculus for Science I 
  • Physics for Environmental Sciences I
  • Field training
  • Quaternary Environments and Geomorphology
  • Atmospheric environment
  • Biogeography
  • Geographical research methods
  • Crystallography
  • Optics and Mineralogy 
  • Sedimentological processes and sedimentary petrology
  • Igneous and metamorphic petrology
  • Structural Geology
  • Fossils as living organisms
  • Geohazards and research skills

Electives

  • Environment and Human Health
  • Environmental Archaeology
  • Calculus for Science 
  • Ecological plant physiology
  • Fluids
  • Physics for Environmental Sciences
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Introductory Python programming
  • Field training
  • Earth science literature review
  • Geoinformatics
  • Geographies of Environment and Sustainability
  • Coastal and marine geomorphology
  • Climate variability and change
  • Environmental economic geography
  • Applied Structural Geology
  • Sedimentary environments
  • Micropaleontology and Palynology
  • Interpretation of geological maps

Electives

  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Introduction to Environmental Archaeology
  • Heritage management and archaeology
  • Introduction to Energy Engineering
  • Human remains for archaeologists
  • Archaeopalynology
  • Conservation Biology 
  • Valuing the environment
  • Research project
  • Advanced Geographic Information Systems
  • Environmental remote sensing
  • Applied Geophysics
  • Climate variability and change

Electives

  • Practical coastal marine science
  • Earth Science Job Placement
  • Petroleum geology and basin analysis
  • Regional and local planning issues and policies
  • Food Geography
  • Geohazards and research skills
  • Advanced field geoscience techniques
  • Exceptional glimpses of ancient life
  • Stratigraphy
  • Interpretation of geological maps
  • Geography as human ecology

*Module availability may change from year to year.

Admission requirements

  • As a general requirement, a Bachelor’s Degree / High School Diploma / General Baccalaureate / Professional Degree from a recognized university is required. The following are considered Laboratory Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
  • In the case of international candidates, the foreign equivalent is required. In addition, a degree officially translated into English will be required.
  • IELTS 6.5, with no less than 6 in any component (or its internationally recognised equivalent).

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