Environmental & Engineering Geoscience

Environmental and engineering geoscience is the application of knowledge on Earth’s near-surface materials and processes to inform the design, implementation and operation of solutions in our natural and built environments. Such insights are key to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. clean water, affordable clean energy, sustainable cities and communities), as they underpin resilient construction projects (e.g., transport infrastructure, buildings, dams, tunnels), efficient renewable energy systems (e.g., wind farms, geothermal energy), and effective water resource and land management (e.g., groundwater supply, waste disposal, land decontamination).



This new MSc course will provide graduates in geoscience (or cognate subjects) with high-level knowledge and technical skills relevant for the vibrant environmental and geotechnical sectors in Ireland and elsewhere.

Autumn Trimester

Core modules:

• Digital Mapping and GIS

• Drilling and Well Logging

• Hydrogeology

• Geocomputation

• Methods in Geomodelling

• Geotechnics 1 Option modules

• Natural Hazards and Risk

• Marine Geoscience

• Applied Hydrology

• Peatlands and Environmental Change

• Environmental Impact Assessment



Spring Trimester

Core modules:

• Rock Engineering

• Near-Surface Geophysics

• Applied Quaternary Geology

• Satellite Earth Observation

• Environmental Geochemistry

• Geotechnics 2 Option modules

• Soil Ecology

• Applied Geophysics

• Sustainable Geoenergy

• Mineral Systems Geoscience

• Geostatistics and Geomodelling



Summer Trimester

Core modules:

• Topics in Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

• Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

The main entry criterion is an honours undergraduate degree at grade of 2.1 or higher (or equivalent) in the broad area of Earth Science, Geology or Geoscience. Consideration will be given also to applicants with a similar qualification level in cognate areas such as Environmental Science, Sustainability, Geophysics, Geochemistry, or Physical Geography, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering or similar.



Applicants who do not meet the above criterion, but who have significant and relevant work experience, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

1 year full-time

F290 Environmental and Engineering Geoscience [Master of Science] Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Environmental and Engineering Geoscience contributes to the Civil Engineering economic sector, which is a growing area of employment for geoscience graduates in Ireland and internationally. Graduates are therefore expected to have diverse job prospects in areas such as geotechnical engineering and ground investigation (where there is a skills shortage in both the UK and Ireland), hydrogeology, environmental impact assessment, construction site investigation, mine reclamation, slope/ground stability assessment, land-use planning, forestry planning, natural hazard assessment and risk mitigation, etc.