In the BSc Geology programme we are committed to high quality teaching, informed by the research and professional experience of the academic staff.  Our purpose is to produce graduates that are well prepared for direct recruitment into the resources and geotechnical industries; appropriately prepared for further study at MSc level, for direct entry to PhD programmes and employable in business and finance. Our goal is to provide a holistic education that produces Geology graduates with a comprehensive understanding of current thinking across the discipline, and a broad portfolio of technical and communication skills.  We aim to engender in our students an ability to analyse, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate evidence from a range of sources to formulate and test hypotheses.  Hence we emphasise field-based problem solving and the independent field research project as key components of our students’ education. Our approach is to seamlessly integrate theory and practice with an emphasis on active learning and critical thinking.  In focusing on Geology as a practical subject, our students gain hands-on experience in the field in front of outcrops and in a variety of laboratory settings.  The 4D (spatial and temporal) nature of geological phenomena demands an ability to synthesise a wide variety of data and to make decisions often based on incomplete information.  Moreover our approach has to take account of the large dynamic range over length (nanometres to planetary) and time (microseconds to billions of years) with which our subject deals. We recognise the diverse nature of the subject and the broad range of aptitudes and career destinations of our graduates.  We therefore deploy varied assessment strategies including continuous assessment, oral and poster presentations, group exercises, technical reports and dissertations, and written and practical examinations. 

1 - ability to carry out 4D (three spatial and one temporal dimension) investigations of sedimentary sequences, igneous and metamorphic processes and tectonics
2 - ability to describe and record the properties of geological materials (sediments, rocks, minerals, fossils, ores and hydrocarbon systems), where appropriate to industry standards (due diligence), and to reach informed decisions as to their identity and origins
3 - practical knowledge of a range of minerals, rocks, fossils, structures, landforms etc. in the field, including experience in individual field-based project work, including a thorough training in geological mapping and in fieldwork safety
4 - have the mathematical and statistical skills necessary to understand the quantitative and theoretical aspects of the subject and be competent in performing standard calculations and plotting structural, morphometric, geochemical and geophysical data sets and be familiar with GIS techniques
5 - ability to analyse, synthesise, summarise and critically evaluate evidence from a range of sources to test findings and hypotheses; including critical appraisal of peer-reviewed literature and current research topics
6 - familiarity with a wide range of geochemical and geophysical techniques, including instrumental methods and sampling techniques
7 - ability to visualise geological data in three dimensions, including the construction of cross sections, extraction of 3D orientations from observations on a 2D surface and manipulation of data via stereonets
8 - ability to plan, conduct and deliver an independent research project
9 - ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using a range of formats, including scientific articles, technical reports and oral and poster presentations
10 - ability to engage in autonomous learning and in self analysis and be aware of the qualifications, skills, and experience required to maximise career opportunities, including the opportunities provided by professional organisations for continuing professional developme
11 - appreciate the essential contributions of the geosciences to the economic, environmental, geotechnical and cultural needs of society

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.

Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

Geology graduates work in areas essential to understanding and protecting the environment, in industries using natural resources and developing infrastructure in roles such as geological surveyors, petroleum and mineral exploration and production geologists, mine geologists, hydrogeologists, oceanographers, geochemists, environmental consultants and engineering and structural geologists.

Graduate programmes include the UCD MSc in Subsurface Characterisation and Geomodelling. Graduates of this MSc course will be equipped with the skills and scientific understanding for a variety of applied geoscience careers. In addition, several UK universities offer MSc courses, in Hydrogeology, Engineering Geology, Oceanography and Mineral Exploration.

Students must take 10 core modules. Additional modules may be selected from the BSc programme or alternatively, students may select 10 credits from elective modules. Students must take GEOL20200 if not taken in Stage 2.

Students must take all 8 core modules.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
GEOL30040	Sedimentary Environments	Autumn	5
GEOL30110	Metamorphic Petrology	Autumn	5
GEOL30240	Igneous Petrology	Autumn	5
GEOL30250	Geological Mapping	Autumn	5
GEOL30350	Geological Structures	Autumn	5
GEOL30320	Geological Fieldwork (Stage 3)	Spring	5
GEOL30330	Geobiology	Spring	5
GEOL30340	Low Temperature Geochemistry	Spring	5
GEOL30380	Geomaterials and Geoenergy	Spring	5
GEOL30400	Digital Geology and GIS	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: Students may take additional modules from the list below. The work placement module GEOL30360 must be taken during the summer vacation preceding the Autumn Trimester of Stage 4.
GEOL20180	Geoscience perspectives on the UN Sustainable Development Goals	Autumn	5
GEOL10050	Earth and Humanity	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
GEOL20110	Global Environmental Change	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
GEOL20240	Medical Geology	Autumn and Spring (separate)	5
GEOL30360	Work Placement - Geoscience	Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)	5
GEOL30390	Geoscience Research Project	Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)	5
GEOL10040	Earth, Environment and Society	Spring	5
GEOL20230	History of life on Earth	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)MIN0OF: Students may take additional modules from the list below. The work placement module GEOL30360 must be taken during the summer vacation preceding the Autumn Trimester of Stage 4.
Stage 4 Core Modules
GEOL40510	Geological Mapping Research	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
GEOL30110	Metamorphic Petrology	Autumn	5
GEOL40190	Igneous Petrology and Ore Geology	Autumn	5
GEOL40460	Advanced Geological Mapping	Autumn	5
GEOL30330	Geobiology	Spring	5
GEOL40290	Basin Analysis	Spring	10
GEOL40470	Geological Fieldwork	Spring	5
GEOL40500	Applied Geophysics	Spring	5
Stage 4 Core Modules

		Award		GPA
Programme	Module Weightings	Rule Description	Description
BHSCI001	Stage 4 - 70.00% Stage 3 - 30.00%	Standard Honours Award	First Class Honours	3.68	4.20
			Second Class Honours, Grade 1	3.08	3.67
			Second Class Honours, Grade 2	2.48	3.07
			Pass	2.00	2.47