Earth and Ocean Sciences

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Further Education
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

What our lecturers say What our students say Earth and Ocean Sciences

Entry Points (2022)

403

Course Overview

Earth & Ocean Sciences, a degree programme unique in Ireland, integrates geology and oceanography to better understand how the Earth works, how its different systems interact (from the upper atmosphere down to the deep crust) and how it is able to support life. The course exposes graduates to a global career market, from sustainable sourcing of raw materials, through renewable energy, to environmental assessment and the regulation and monitoring of industries. We aim to train the scientists who can investigate issues of global change, and the course aligns with the UN's sustainability goals.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2023

A Level Grades (2022)

universityofgalway.ie/alevels

Average intake

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

4 (More Info)

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY314

Course code

Course Outline

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YEAR ONE

• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biology
• Plus one of the following:
· Mathematical Studies
· Mathematics
· Applied Mathematics

YEAR TWO

• The Earth: From Core to Crust
• Introduction to Field Skills
• Introduction to Ocean Science
• Plus one pathway from the following:
· Applied Mathematics
· Botany and Plant Science
· Chemistry · Mathematical Studies
· Mathematics
· Microbiology
· Physics and Applied Physics
· Plant and AgriBiosciences
· Zoology
• Plus electives from a range of science modules

YEAR THREE

• Field Skills Training
• Ocean Dynamics
• Aquatic Geochemistry
• Introduction to Applied Field Hydrology
• Sediments and the Sedimentary Record
• Geological Structures and Maps
• The Crystalline Crust
• Palaeontology and Evolution
• Environmental and Marine Geophysical Remote Sensing
• Minerals and Rocks under the Microscope
• Plus electives from a range of science modules

YEAR FOUR

•Final Year Project
• Advanced Fieldskills
• Global Change
• Earth and Ocean Science (EOS) advanced modules

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Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Optional MP180: Applied Mathematics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA180: Mathematics (Honours) - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Optional MA161: Mathematical Studies - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required BO101: Biology - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required PH101: Physics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required CH130: Chemistry: The World of the Molecule - 15 Credits - Semester 1

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Further Education

Postgraduate research opportunities in the field of Earth and Ocean Sciences leading to MSc and PhD degrees are available within the college, and EOS are one of the groups that are part of iCRAG (the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre in Applied Geosciences). Research areas currently include characterising ocean health and ecosystems, developing predictive methodologies for use in sustainable agriculture in relation to water management, developing our understanding of how undisturbed peatlands function, exploring Ireland's deep seated groundwater resources, refining our knowledge of Ireland's geological past, and developing new methodologies and approaches to assessing the environmental impacts of microplastics and emerging contaminants.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates can purse a range of career opportunities in diverse industries, including energy, raw materials, conservation, education and tourism. EOS graduates are working in all of these areas, in Ireland or overseas. The geoscience sector employs more than 25,000 people in Ireland and generates more than €3 billion per year for the Irish economy.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,408 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Tuition

€4,268 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Non EU

€24,040 p.a. 2023/24

EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy** €140. **Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.

Find out More

Tiernan Henry

Programme Director

College of Science and Engineering
E tiernan.henry@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/eos

What Our Students Say

Bill Wood | BSc (Earth and Ocean Sciences)

...I chose NUI Galway because of the great choice of subjects available through my degree. No other university offers such flexibility for students in this subject area. This becomes increasingly important as you develop during your third level education. There is great interaction between staff and students at University of Galway. I would definitely encourage those with an interest in science or natural sciences to pursue this course. The standard of education offered here is of the highest quality...