The Undergraduate Programme Structure

TR062 Geography and Geoscience 

Students who wish to study Geoscience at Trinity can apply to the TR062 Geography and Geoscience programme: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/undergraduate/courses/geoscience-geography-and-geoscience/.

Geography and Geoscience is the study of our planet and the people that live on it. This multi-disciplinary programme is designed by leading research scientists in response to critical challenges facing the Earth system and humanity in the 21st century. It integrates knowledge from the physical, chemical, biological and social sciences to develop novel insights into Earth system function and human-environment interactions.

The Geography and Geoscience degree programme is the Science entry pathway for the study of Geography (human and physical geography) and Geoscience (geology and physical geography) at Trinity.

Our four-year programmes, culminating in the degrees of Geography or Geoscience, combine classroom lectures, seminars, laboratory-based practical classes, and outdoor field work, to develop the theoretical understanding and technical expertise needed to address applied, real-world problems such as natural resource management and sea level rise.

TR062 Geoscience Moderatorship

The Geoscience moderatorship combines the study of geology, geography, chemistry, physics and biology, to develop a complete understanding of how the earth works (past, present & future). The work of geoscientists helps us understand the changing climate, predict earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, find supplies of energy and raw materials, maintain clean air and water, understand the motion of the earth’s crust and oceans, and reconstruct the evolution of rocky planets and life. 

Within the Geoscience Moderatorship, students will have the option of two pathways:

• The Geology Path will provide you with the foundations of earth processes and how they relate to the evolution of our Planet and Solar system as well as Society’s relationship with our lithosphere from the perspective of natural hazards and resources
• The Earth Systems Science Path will give you access to a wider range of Geoscience and Geography modules than are available for those selecting Geology, allowing you to pursue a broad programme that may focus surficial processes, climate and environment.

Erasmus opportunities

There are opportunities for TR062 Geoscience students study abroad in their Junior Sophister year (semester 1) through the Erasmus exchange programme or the College-wide non-EU exchange programme; available Erasmus partner universities include institutions in France, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden.

In Trinity, the teaching term we have two teaching terms of 12 weeks duration, each with a designated study week within them, followed by one week of revision and one week of examinations.

Every module is given a credit value that links to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), a system that has been designed to permit easy transfer of students throughout universities in Europe with recognisable currency. One credit is equal to approximately 25 hours of projected student input which covers class contact, reading, assignments, revision and examinations. Modules typically carry a 5 or 10 credit weighting, and one year of study amounts to 60 credits.

Years 1 and 2: Freshman years

In years 1 and 2 (known as the Junior Freshman and Senior Freshman years) you will acquire a broad grounding in geography and geoscience with an emphasis on geology, physical geography, and human-environment interactions.

Visit Science Course Office for Details of Modules.

Years 3 and 4: Sophister years

In years 3 and 4 (known as the Junior Sophister and Senior Sophister years), you will deepen your knowledge in specialist areas, whilst further developing a portfolio of practical and technical skills (e.g. geochemical analysis, GIS, remote sensing). 

The Discipline of Geology offers a friendly and stimulating working environment where students are treated as individuals and our overarching aim is that each student has the opportunity to develop themselves to their full potential. In the sophister years in particular, many of the modules are research led and deal with problems and data sets that are currently the subject of staff research. Research interests of members of staff and current events are housed on the regularly updated discipline website.

Geoscience Moderatorship Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of your Geosciences degree you will be able to: 

• Demonstrate a thorough working understanding of the scientific method, the nature of scientific knowledge and its evolution over time. 

• Discuss the core principles of Geoscience and apply the scientific method to the study of Geographical and Geological problems. 

• Explain the interdisciplinary nature and acquisition of scientific knowledge, illustrating the relationships among geographical and geological sciences and cognate disciplines. 

• Formulate and test hypotheses in order to make logical and scientific arguments based on current data. 

• Collect qualitative and quantitative data with precision and organisation, using specific geographical and geological technical skills. 

• Analyse and critically evaluate data using appropriate mathematical, statistical, computational and other relevant methods. 

• Conduct geographical / geological research independently and as part of a team. 

• Critically evaluate current and novel concepts and ideas. 

• Communicate effectively in written, oral, electronic and social media formats to scientific and non-scientific audiences. 

• Discuss the role and influence of scientific knowledge on society and illustrate its application in the geosciences. 

DESCRIPTION OF THE EUROPEAN CREDIT TRANSFER SYSTEM (ECTS)

The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is an academic credit system based on the estimated student workload required to achieve the objectives of a module or programme of study. It is designed to enable academic recognition for periods of study, to facilitate student mobility and credit accumulation and transfer. The ECTS is the recommended credit system for higher education in Ireland and across the European Higher Education Area.

The ECTS weighting for a module is a measure of the student input or workload required for that module, based on factors such as the number of contact hours, the number and length of written or verbally presented assessment exercises, class preparation and private study time, laboratory classes, examinations, clinical attendance, professional training placements, and so on as appropriate. There is no intrinsic relationship between the credit volume of a module and its level of difficulty.

The European norm for full-time study over one academic year is 60 credits. The Trinity academic year is 40 weeks from the start of Michaelmas Term to the end of the annual examination period 1 ECTS credit represents 20-25 hours estimated student input, so a 10-credit module will be designed to require 200-250 hours of student input including class contact time and assessments.

ECTS credits are awarded to a student only upon successful completion of the course year. Progression from one year to the next is determined by the course regulations. Students who fail a year of their course will not obtain credit for that year even if they have passed certain component courses. Exceptions to this rule are one-year and part-year visiting students, who are awarded credit for individual modules successfully completed.