What is Geoscience?
Geoscience combines the study of geology, geography, chemistry, physics and biology, to develop a complete understanding of how the earth works. 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.
Geoscience: The course for you?
If you like science, enjoyed taking Geography and the physical sciences at secondary level, 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 @ Trinity
At Trinity, you will learn from internationally renowned geoscientists whose teaching is informed by current research at the frontiers of knowledge. Our staff are drawn from the departments of Geology and Geography, where they investigate a diverse range of topical issues ranging from reconstructing sea-level change, development of life forms, measuring landforms on Mars to meteor impacts. Research and teaching in Trinity Geoscience combine field-observation, sophisticated laboratory analysis and numerical modelling for a quantitative understanding of the planet
Graduate skills and career opportunities
There is currently a global shortage of geoscientists. Geoscience not only prepares students to work on many of society’s most important challenges, it also unlocks 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; the oil industry; 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 incomplete data sets.
Your degree and what you’ll study
Geoscience is a new, multi-disciplinary course designed by leading research scientists in response to critical challenges facing the earth system in the 21st century. This new course integrates the successful degrees in Geology and Earth Science to create a flexible programme that balances the development of deep knowledge and expertise with the capacity to transcend traditional subject boundaries.
At Trinity, the emphasis on quality over quantity means you will have the opportunity to learn in small classes. You will be taught via a combination of classroom lectures, seminars, and laboratory-based practical classes, developing the theoretical understanding and technical expertise needed to address applied, real-world problems. Fieldwork is a core component of geosciences research and the great outdoors is our laboratory. At Trinity we are committed to training field scientists who have practical experience of field research in a range of environments. The Geoscience programme includes several residential field courses in Ireland and overseas, with current destinations including Scotland, Greece and Spain.