Fancy the outdoors? Enjoy travelling as part of your degree? Want to learn more about the planet and the materials that shape the planet? Well, Earth Sciences at UCD might be the course for you!
Earth Science
Earth Sciences is the study of how the earth works and what it’s made of. t UCD is taught through a very practical approach. So you get a really got combination of classroom experience, laboratory experience as well as lots of opportunities for field trips! We also have small class sizes where you get one-on-one teaching and mentoring opportunities. Earth Sciences is also a community at UCD with its own society, RocSoc!
RocSoc
RocSoc is UCD’s one and only geological society. It’s the perfect place for rock, crystal and fossil lovers to get together and talk about all things geology. However, we’re welcome to anyone who wants to join – enthusiasm for rocks is encouraged but not mandatory!
We’re a small society so it’s very easy to get to know people and make friends, especially during one of our regular coffee mornings. Aside from social events, we also host movie nights, seminars, arts & crafts events, and field trips where you can learn to harness your inner geologist!
Geological Mapping Field Trip
Last week, a few of our committee members who study Earth Sciences went on a field trip to Louisburgh, Co. Mayo as part of one of their modules – Geological Mapping (GEOL30250).
The module is based on applying the information you learn in geology lectures into practice by studying rocks in their natural habitat. So, when they weren’t fighting off mean cows and horses, or jumping over fences, the 3rd years walked around and recorded observations about the types of rocks they found. At each place they stopped to look at a rock, they would write down information about its location. Then at the end of the week, they used all of their observations to make a map of the rocks that underlie the Louisburgh area as well as some of the main geological structures such as faults and folds.
Later in the term, they’ll use those mapping observations along with resources from the library to write a report on how the rocks in the Louisburgh area were formed – definitely not as exciting as wandering aimlessly in a field equipped with only a compass and a hammer but it’s not too bad!
If you’re not currently studying or planning on doing Earth Sciences, worry not! You can also still do some field work as part of your degree by picking it up as an Elective. Alternatively, if you don’t want to be graded on anything, consider joining RocSoc and tag along on one of our upcoming trips. We’ll be going to the GSI core storage facility at the end of the month and Loughshinny next semester! You’re guaranteed to have a gneiss time :)) If you’re interested in seeing a few photos of the adventures, check out the highlights on our Instagram (@ucdrocsoc)!
