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

YEAR 1

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

YEAR 2

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

YEAR 3

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

YEAR 4

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).