Geology is the study of the Earth. It is concerned with the nature and origin of materials that make up the Earth and impacts profoundly on many aspects of life and society solar system. It explores the processes that shape the surface of our planet and are active beneath the surface (e.g. global warming, earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides). Geology seeks to answer fundamental questions regarding the structure and age of the Earth, how it has evolved, its processes and the history of life. The programme aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of all the major aspects of geology along with sound academic training in independent observational and interpretational skills. Field work is an important part of geological training and most of our modules involve field classes. Graduates are employed in organisations ranging from government agencies to petroleum and mining exploration companies in Ireland and abroad. Graduates work as geological surveyors, exploration geologists in the petroleum and mining industries, mine geologists, hydrogeologists, oceanographers, geochemists, environmental consultants, engineering and structural geologists.