Program Overview

MSc Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

The MSc Environmental and Engineering Geoscience program provides graduates with a modern skillset in applied geoscience to inform successful engineering design, construction, and operation. This 1-year program guides students through the principles and practices of modern geoscience as applied in industry areas such as ground investigation and geotechnics, slope/ground stability assessment, groundwater resource management, construction site investigation, mine or contaminated land reclamation, land-use planning and climate change mitigation, environmental rehabilitation, and environmental impact assessment.

Program Overview

The program is designed to bridge a current skills gap in these areas, particularly in geotechnics and ground investigation, in both Ireland and the UK. Graduate employment prospects are expected to be strong in the thriving geotechnical and environmental sectors, both in Ireland and internationally. Successful completion of the program will count as at least one year of experience toward accreditation as a Professional Geologist (PGeo).

Is this MSc for me?

This MSc course is for students who are:

• Seeking a distinctive skillset with which to help design and implement geo-scientifically robust engineering solutions to pressing environmental problems
• Looking to rapidly upskill for work or advancement as a geoscientist in the environmental, geotechnical, and civil engineering sectors
• Seeking a springboard into future PhD research in environmental science or geotechnical engineering
• Seeking tailored tuition in small classes with close individual attention from experts at Ireland's leading university in applied geoscience research

Tuition

The program will be delivered primarily by expert staff in the UCD Schools of Earth Sciences and Civil Engineering, with contributions from the UCD Schools of Geography and Biological & Environmental Sciences. Teaching comprises lectures, small-group tutorials, teamwork-based activities, and hands-on practical exercises applied to real-world datasets and challenges.

Course Structure

The list of taught modules covered on the program includes:

• Core modules from UCD School of Earth Sciences:
  • Hydrogeology (5.0 credits)
  • Rock Engineering (5.0 credits)
  • Near-surface Geophysics (5.0 credits)
  • Environmental Geochemistry (5.0 credits)
  • Drilling and well logging (2.5 credits)
  • Applied Quaternary Geology (2.5 credits)
  • Digital Field Skills (2.5 credits)
  • Geocomputation (Python) (2.5 credits)
  • Methods in Geomodelling (2.5 credits)
  • Remote Sensing (2.5 credits)
  • Geoscience Careers (5.0 credits)
• Core modules from UCD School of Civil Engineering:
  • Geotechnics 1 (Intro to Soil Mechanics) (5.0 credits)
  • Geotechnics 2 (Soil Mechanics & Design) (5.0 credits)
• Optional Modules (offered through Schools of Earth Sciences; Civil Engineering; Geography; Biological and Environmental Sciences):
  • Marine Geoscience (5.0 credits)
  • Applied Hydrology (5.0 credits)
  • Sustainable Geoenergy (5.0 credits)
  • Soil Ecology (5.0 credits)
  • Minerals Geoscience (5.0 credits)
  • Geostatistics & Geomodelling (5.0 credits)
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (5.0 credits)
  • Natural Hazards and Risk (5.0 credits)
  • Peatlands and Environmental Change (5.0 credits)

Entry Requirements

Entry to the program requires an Honours undergraduate degree at 2.1 or higher (or equivalent) in Earth Science, Geology, or Geoscience degrees. Consideration will be given to applicants with similar qualifications in cognate areas and to those with significant and relevant work experience but who do not meet this criterion. Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

Learning Outcomes

A selection of key learning outcomes from the program includes:

• Knowledge and understanding of the scientific, engineering, and mathematical principles of engineering geology, geotechnics, and environmental geoscience
• Skills in the application of geotechnical, geophysical, hydrogeological, and geochemical knowledge in the field and/or laboratory
• Ability to identify and analyse both well-defined and broadly-defined problems in engineering and environmental geoscience
• Capability for conducting supervised research into well-defined or broadly-defined issues related to environmental and engineering geoscience

Fees

• EU fee: €9,530
• Non-EU fee: €24,960 Note: UK applicants pay EU fees because of membership of the Common Travel Area.