Download BSc EARTH SCIENCE

College of Science,
Engineering & Food Science
BEES
School of Biological,
Earth & Environmental
Sciences at University
College Cork, Ireland
BSc EARTH SCIENCE
Course Code:
CK404 Biological, Earth &
Environmental Sciences
Duration:
4 years
Further Information:
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
T: +353 (0)21 490 4650
W: http://bees.ucc.ie
School of Geography & Archaeology: The Human
Environment
T: +353 (0)21 490 2804
W: www.ucc.ie/en/geography/
/uccBEES
@uccBEES
Why study Earth Science?
Earth Science is a subject field that has grown rapidly in
recent years to incorporate interdisciplinary subjects
across the more traditional disciplines of Geography,
Geology, Geophysics, Oceanography and Biological
Sciences. Its development and growth has been in
response to changing needs in industry and the practical
needs of interdisciplinary scientific research, together
with the needs arising from an increased community
awareness of the Earth, its environment stresses and
patterns of change.
Earth Science deals with the investigation of the
functioning, development and use of the Earth’s physical
environment, including its natural and physical resources.
It involves the study of subjects such as the atmosphere,
oceans, the Earth’s surface processes, crust and interior.
Its focus is one of applying knowledge of these disciplines
to the understanding and solution of practical earth and
environmental problems.
Programme Overview
The degree programme is taught jointly in the School of
Biological, Earth and Environmental Science and the
School of Geography and Archaeology: The Human
Environment with subsidiary inputs from related science
subjects, particularly from Zoology, Ecology and Plant
Science, Mathematics and Archaeology.
The first year of the degree is part of the common First
Year foundation programme in Science undertaken by all
students within Environmental and Earth System
Sciences, of which Earth Science is a primary degree. In
this programme training in areas of Earth Science,
Geography and Geology begin with the major courses
involving the systematic and integrated study of primary
thematic areas of the subject. These include
geomorphology, soils, biogeography, atmosphere,
oceans, Earth’s resources, environmental management
and society’s role in changing the face of the Earth,
composition of the Earth’s crust and deep interior, rocks,
minerals and fossils, rock deformation, geological map
interpretation and applied geology. Subsequent years
lead to specialisation and advanced work in these and
related environmental- Earth Systems Science fields. The
programme includes field science studies (with study
abroad), computer/IT and a wide range of laboratory
skills.
Study Placement
No formal work placement is undertaken in the
programme. At the end of Year Three and during Year
Four a substantial Research Project (dissertation) is
undertaken (worth 25% of the final year). Topics chosen
by students often involve summer work with research
institutes and geo-consultancy firms, providing work
experience, job skills and providing useful links for later
employment opportunities. In recent years these activities
have involved work with marine and seabed surveys.
BSc EARTH SCIENCE Sept 2012
What will I be studying?
Year 1
• Biology (15 Credits) • Chemistry (10 Credits)
• Environmental Science (5 Credits) • Physical Geography
(5 Credits) • Geology (10 Credits) •Mathematics (10
Credits) • Physics (5 Credits)
Year 2
Compulsory Modules:
• Earth Science • Field Course in Geography and Geology
• Sedimentology • Mineralogy • Igneous and Metamorphic
Petrology • Marine Fossils and Evolution • Structural
Geology •Plate Tectonics • Geophysics •Physical
Geography • Data Methods and Analysis • Climate and
Meteorology
Elective Modules:
•Applied Ecology • Archaeology • Environmental Earth
Science • Mathematics • Plant Science • Physics
Year 3
Compulsory Modules:
Earth Science: • Oceanography • Field Course •
Geography and Geology •Geohazards • Earth History
•Geological Maps • Sedimentary Environments •
Terrestrial Fossils and Evolution •Biogeography • Physical
Geography • Coastal Geomorphology • Environmental
Management • Geoinformatics • Climate Change
Elective Modules:
• Applied Ecology • Archaeology
Year 4
Compulsory Modules:
Earth Science
•Oceans Past and Present • Research Project
Geology
•Environmental Geology • Petroleum Geology • Field
Course to Greece
Physical Geography
•Climate Change • Environmental Remote Sensing •
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
Elective Modules:
•Geography • Geology
BEES
School of Biological,
Earth & Environmental
Sciences at University
College Cork, Ireland
For further information contact:
The College of Science, Engineering
& Food Science, UCC
Tel: +353 (0)21 490 3075
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ucc.ie/sefs
Postgraduate Opportunities in UCC
The Earth Science programme provides opportunities for
Postgraduate Diploma, MSc and PhD degrees, particularly
in areas of the Coastal & Marine Sciences –
Oceanography, GIS and Remote Sensing, Environmental
Management, Climate and Atmospheric Studies,
Environmental Geology, Volcanology, Marine Geology
and Structural Geology.
Career Opportunities
Earth scientists are involved in a wide variety of
environmentally based careers that draw upon their wide
laboratory and IT skills experience in Science. These skills
derive from Earth Science training that may encompass
aspects of Geophysics, Geochemistry, Biology and
Mathematics in addition to fundamental experience in
Field Science, Mapping Surveying and Observational
Methods.
Typical careers for Earth Science graduates include:• environmental consultancy
• mineral and water exploration
• management and planning
• geological and geophysical surveying
• pollution management
• geotechnical services for the engineering industry
• natural resource conservation
• remote sensing and ground surveying
• petroleum geology
• oceanography and marine science
• computer mapping
Graduate Profile
Brigitte Crowe (BSc Earth Science 2010)
“I found the Earth Science degree to be extremely
interesting. The great mix of varied subjects, field trips,
group and independent projects gave me a background
that has prepared me for a career. I got the opportunity
to go on multiple [marine] research cruises and work with
other earth science departments in the UK and Belgium.
Within two weeks of graduating I was able to find a great
job as a Graduate Exploration Geologist in Australia, and I
can’t wait to start my new career!”
Entry Requirements
Minimum HC3 in two subjects & passes in four subjects at
H or O level in the Leaving Certificate, from Irish, English,
Mathematics, one laboratory Science subject (i.e
Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry
(joint) or Agricultural Science) and two other subjects
recognised for entry purposes. One of the HC3 subjects
must be in a laboratory science subject or Mathematics or
Applied Mathematics. In addition students must have the
requisite points for entry to a particular course.