Geology (BSc (Hons)) at University College Cork

Geology is the study of the history of the Earth and other planets in our solar system, their chemical and physical composition, and their structure and evolution.

It includes investigations into the nature and composition of the Earth’s outer crust, as well as a study of its deep interior. These studies allow us to understand the formation and occurrence of important natural resources such as coal, oil, gas, groundwater and mineral deposits.

The study of geology allows us to understand natural geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. It also allows us to look back in time at terrestrial climate.

The BSc Geology course assumes no previous knowledge of the subject, but by taking this course, you will learn something of the processes that have formed this planet – spanning 4,500 million years – and those that allow humans and life, as we know it, to exist on Earth.

Geology is the principal degree taken by students within the Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) stream. Aside from the core modules, fieldwork forms an integral part of all geology courses at UCC. In the summer of Year 3, and before the start of Year 4, you will undertake a major field-based research project in an area of your choice, in Ireland or abroad. In Year 4, you study Geology only, and work towards completing your research project. Several aspects of Geology are treated up to specialised levels.

• The course has a strong focus on field skills, which makes graduates highly employable.
• A combination of instruction and assessment methods are used to bring out the best in students.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

As part of the course, opportunities exist to take relevant geology modules at the University of West Virginia, USA.

Skills and Careers Information

There is currently a global shortage of geology graduates. In recent years, graduates have gained employment in the area of environmental geology and have worked at home or abroad in diverse fields such as infrastructure and engineering projects, geotechnical site investigations, hydrogeology, landfill management and environmental impact and protection.

Currently our graduates are in high demand and are being actively recruited by hydrocarbon and mineral exploration companies, guaranteeing unrivalled opportunities to work overseas. 

Jobs taken by UCC Geology graduates include: 

• coal exploration geologists in Australia
• open pit geologist in Western Australia
• exploration geologist in Western Australia
• PhD Geochemistry in New Zealand
• mine geologist in Australia
• hydrogeologist in the UK
• exploration geologist in Western Australia and Zambia