Overview
Geoscience
Students who wish to study Geoscience apply to the Geography and Geoscience stream and may select Geoscience as their specialist area for the third and fourth years at the end of the second year.
What is Geoscience?
Geoscience is a multi-disciplinary course designed by leading research scientists in response to critical challenges facing the earth system in the 21st century. It combines the study of geology, geography, chemistry, physics and biology, to develop a complete understanding of how the earth works. Geoscientists analyse the changing climate, predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, find supplies of energy and raw materials, maintain clean air and water, measure the motion of the earth’s crust and oceans, and reconstruct the evolution of rocky planets and life.
Geoscience: The course for you?
If you like science, enjoyed taking science and geography at school, care about the earth, are fascinated by the natural world and enjoy working outdoors, then consider geoscience. Geoscience attracts people who wish to study the dynamics of our planet, to understand environmental changes past, present and future, and to manage Earth’s resources in an economic and sustainable manner.
Geoscience at Trinity
At Trinity, you will learn from internationally renowned geoscientists whose teaching is informed by current research at the frontiers of knowledge. Our staff investigate topical issues including climate and environmental change, the origins and evolution of life, and Earth resources. Research and teaching combines field-observation, sophisticated laboratory analysis and numerical modelling to develop the quantitative understanding of our planet needed to address applied, real-world problems.
Graduate skills and career opportunities
There is currently a global shortage of geoscientists. Geoscience repares students to work on many of society’s most important challenges whilst unlocking lucrative and personally rewarding careers in industry, academia, research and government. Careers leading directly from geoscience include work in: environmental, engineering and geological consultancies; mineral exploration companies; environmental planning; government geological surveys; teaching and research. Geoscience graduates are also highly valued in more generalised fields of employment due to their adaptability, their many transferable skills and their experience at dealing with complex but incomplete data sets.
Do you enjoy…
- Finding out how our planet works?
- Exploring the natural world outdoors?
- Discovering how we can manage our natural resources more sustainably?
Your degree and what you’ll study
The first two years provide a solid grounding in geoscience with modules covering geology, physical and human geography and foundation modules in mathematics, statistics and computation. You will tailor your experience by selecting optional modules from the chemical, physical and biological sciences, and human geography.
In third and fourth years you will deepen your knowledge in particular aspects of geoscience, whilst honing practical and technical skills though a combination of classroom lectures, seminars, and laboratory-based practicals. Topics covered include climate and environmental change, igneous and metamorphic processes, sedimentology, tectonics, geochemistry, exploration for natural resources (water, minerals and hydrocarbons), palaeontology and evolution.
You will complete a significant piece of independent research on your chosen specialism, which may take the form of a written dissertation or a geological mapping project.
Trinity is committed to training field scientists who have practical experience of field research in a range of environments and this programme includes several residential field courses in Ireland and overseas.
Click Here for further information on modules/subject.
Study abroad
Further information on the year abroad programme, and a list of partner universities, can be found by emailing our International Student co-ordinator, Dr Michael Stock (stockm@tcd.ie).
Geoscience may also be studied as part of the Dual B.A. Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University (USA).
Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University Dual BA Programme
Two BA Honours Bachelor Degrees (NFQ Level 8) Degrees awarded by Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin and Columbia University
What is the Dual BA Programme?
The Dual BA Programme between Trinity College Dublin and Columbia University offers students a unique opportunity to earn two BA degrees while spending the first two years at Trinity and years three and four at Columbia University in New York.
The Dual BA: The course for you?
This course is for those interested in expanding their experience to gain a truly international education. Students in the Dual BA Programme graduate with two BA degrees, one from Trinity and one from Columbia. After the first two years in Trinity, students then spend a further two years at Columbia, where they fulfil the requirements for one of the approved majors while also completing Columbia’s core curriculum. Students also undertake additional study to meet the requirements of the Trinity BA, including a Capstone project.
Your degree and what you’ll study
At Trinity students acquire a broad grounding in geology, physical geography, and human environment interactions via classroom, laboratory, online, and field-based teaching. Students learn about issues such as climate change, natural hazards, energy, sustainability, and natural resources whilst studying the origins and development of our planet and the processes shaping its environments. In addition, students will expand their knowledge in the social sciences and a language.
Application process and requirements
Applicants to the Dual BA Programme must apply by 2nd January 2022 for September 2022 entry. The admissions process includes a review of the applicant’s academic history, letters of recommendation, an essay, and an interview conducted in English. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) can be submitted but are not required for 2022 entry. Applications are reviewed by a joint committee with representatives from both Institutions. EU applicants to the Dual BA Programme must also apply to and receive an offer from their chosen programme at Trinity through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
GET IN TOUCH!
Further information and contact details:
www.tcd.gs.columbia.edu
E columbiadualba@tcd.ie
