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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
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Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
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Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Earth and Ocean Sciences
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
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY314
Course code
Course Outline
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
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 1Optional 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)
Optional BO202: Evolution and the Tree of Life - 5 Credits - Semester 3Optional MA215: Mathematical Molecular Biology I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MA211: Calculus I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MA284: Discrete Mathematics - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MP231: Mathematical Methods I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MP236: Mechanics I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional CH203: Physical Chemistry - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional CH204: Inorganic Chemistry - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional BPS202: Fundamentals in Aquatic Plant Science - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional BO201: Molecular and Cellular Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MI202: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional BO2101: Scientific Writing Skills - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional GR224: Beginner's German for Science - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional GR252: German - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional GR353: German - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MA2286: Differential Forms - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional LN2210: Scileanna Gaeilge don Eolaíocht 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional PH2102: Physics Laboratory and Problem Solving I - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional ST2001: Statistics for Data Science 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Optional PH2105: Mechanics and Thermodynamics - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required EOS213: Introduction to Ocean Science - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Optional MA212: Calculus II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional ZO209: Vertebrate Zoology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MA203: Linear Algebra - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MA216: Mathematical Molecular Biology II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MA283: Linear Algebra - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional ZO208: Invertebrate Biology - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MP232: Mathematical Methods II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional FR252: French - 10 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MP237: Mechanics II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional CH202: Organic Chemistry - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional CH205: Analytical & Environmental Chemistry - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional BPS203: Plant Diversity, Physiology & Adaptation - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MI203: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MI204: Microbes and the Environment - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MA2287: Complex Analysis - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional PAB2101: AgriBiosciences - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional LN2211: Scileanna Gaeilge don Eolaíocht 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional PH2104: Physics Laboratory and Problem Solving II - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional ST2002: Statistics for Data Science 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional PH2106: Atomic Physics & Electromagnetism - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Optional MA2111: Anailís - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required EOS2101: Introduction to Fieldskills - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required EOS2102: The Earth: From Core to Crust - 10 Credits - Semester 4
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
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
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
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...