Program Overview

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School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences offers a range of courses, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional development programs.

Courses

• Undergraduate Courses
• Masters Courses
  • MRes Plant Biology
  • MRes Animal Behaviour and Welfare
  • MRes Environmental Science
  • MRes Geological Sciences
• PhD Degree Courses
• Evening Programmes & Professional Development

Diploma in Geology (Evening)

This two-year Diploma program provides a broad-based, up-to-date appreciation of Geology. The course covers subjects such as the history of the earth and its environment, how the earth works, and an explanation for the occurrence of earthquakes, volcanoes, the evolution of life, and planetary geology.

First Year

The first year provides an introduction to physical geology, covering topics such as:

• The origin of the earth
• Geological time
• Earthquakes and the internal layering of the earth
• Continental drift and plate tectonics
• Minerals and crystals
• Igneous rocks
• Volcanic activity
• Sedimentary rocks and ancient environments
• Metamorphic rocks
• Folding and fracturing of rocks

Second Year

The second year builds on the first year by introducing historical geology and looking at the applications and uses of geology in the 21st century. Topics covered include:

• Evolution of life
• Fossils and dating of rocks
• Interpretation of past environments
• History of Ireland over the past three billion years
• Geomorphology - processes that shape the landscape
• Evolution of the atmosphere
• Geology of the moon
• Application of geology to everyday life
• Environmental geology, including petroleum geology and Ireland's continental shelf, groundwater resources and protection in Ireland, engineering geology, geological hazards, and geophysics

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements other than a curiosity about the world and how it works, the history of the planet, and the physical forces that shaped it. Applicants should be over 18 at the time of registration.

Assessment

The course includes a combination of continuous assessment, written and practical examinations, and two projects. Project one is an essay to be handed in by February 15th of the first year, and project two is a poster handed in by February 15th of the second year.

Further Opportunities

This course can form part of the Open University B.Sc. or B.A.

Research Areas

The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences has research areas in:

• Environmental Science
• Plant Science
  • Plant and Environment Interactions
  • Sustainable Crop Production
  • Plant Biotechnology
• Geoscience
  • Solid Earth
  • Ancient Life and Environments
  • Environmental and Applied Geoscience
• Zoology and Ecology

Outreach and Public Engagement

The school is involved in various outreach and public engagement activities, including:

• Work Experience
• Geology Garden
• Natural Collections
• UCC Arboretum
• Geology Museum