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Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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This unique and forward-looking MSc is designed to provide you with a solid grounding in key modern principles and methods required for a career in applied geology in our changing world. The course is taught by experts from diverse geoscience disciplines, including pure and applied geology, geophysics, geomodelling and computational geoscience, with experience of the minerals and geoenergy sectors. It focuses on generic aspects of data interpretation, analysis and computer modelling of the deeper and shallow subsurface using real-world data and leading industry software (e.g., Petrel, Leapfrog, ArcGIS Pro).
This sought-after and transferable expertise will provide you with the flexibility needed for a geoscience career in an increasingly populous and resource-constrained world.

Further information about this course is available on the UCD School of Earth Sciences website. 

Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses Brochure (pdf)

The programme combines classroom-based instruction, practical workstation experience, team-based exercises and field visits. It also includes a three-month applied research project.

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  • EU Enquiries: biotech@ucd.ie
  • Non-EU Enquiries: internationalenquiries@ucd.ie

About This Course

The course is industry facing and designed to equip you for a career in a broad range of industries and research organisations requiring digital subsurface characterisation and modelling.
Application areas include mineral resources, the energy sector including oil and gas, geothermal, groundwater, carbon sequestration and storage, geotechnical services, national geological surveys and waste management. You will also receive training in the range of soft skills (e.g. reporting, programming) required by industry.

 

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40530 Applied Structural Geology Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40550 Drilling and well logging Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40570 Geocomputation Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40640 Introduction to geomodelling Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40650 Applied Geoscience Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40660 Stratigraphic prediction Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40670 3D mapping and modelling I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40700 Applied Quaternary Geology Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40730 Geophysical Methods 1 Autumn  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40520 Rock Engineering Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40560 Geofluids and geomechanics Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40580 Remote Sensing Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40590 Geostatistics and geomodelling Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40600 Fieldwork Spring  7.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40620 Team-based modelling I Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40630 Team-based modelling II Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40680 3D mapping and modelling II Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40690 Fractured rock modelling Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40720 Geophysical Methods 2 Spring  2.5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 GEOL40610 Applied Research Project Summer  30

Graduate Profile

Hannah Talbot
One of the best aspects of this course was the variety of modules which included group-based projects, hands-on practical classes, lectures and fieldwork. During this course, training was provided for modelling software such as Petrel and Leapfrog which are actively used in industry. This training is only offered at UCD and is one of the main reasons I chose this course. I enjoyed having the opportunity to explore many aspects of applied geology which allowed me to find my own interests and build on my skillset. I hope to work within the mining and resources industry once I graduate.

Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling (F181) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9300
nonEU    fee per year - € 24960

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please visit International Scholarships.

An honours undergraduate degree at 2.1 or higher (or the International equivalent ) in the broad Earth Science/Geoscience area is required. Consideration will be given to applicants with similar qualifications in cognate areas (e.g. Geophysics or Physical Geography) and to those with significant and relevant work experience but who do not meet this criteria.

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.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt F181
Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling
Master of Science		 Full-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September		 Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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