Environmental Science in DCU or NUI Galway??

Fiona_

hello, i was thinking of doing Environmetal Science for some time now as i am really interested in the environment, pollution, global warming etc. but i cant decide between Galway or dcu. i went to the galway open day last week and when i was talking to the teachers at environmental stand they said it was more to do with plants and Animals. i am interested in the protection side like global warming etc. does anyone out there do the course or know of a course that would suit what i want to do? i have put both down on my CAO but i cannot decide? ANY HELP? please write back asap! thank you

Urizen

I'm a 3rd year in Environmental Science & Health Science in DCU. It's awesome. I should clear this up though, we don't even touch legislation until 4th year. We're primarily a water chemistry course. We DO study climate change fairly in depth and it's impact on water, wildlife etc. We also study the physics aspect of the environment, like geophysics.

It's a great course, and I love it, but like all sciences it's quite a lot of work. A few of us joke that we spend all our time playing with puddles, but it is a serious workload. Some of the chemistry especially gets pretty tricky, and requires a good deal of study. That said, I can imagine that NUIG's course is also a lot of work. And in Galway, you wouldn't get the benefit of our phenomenal lecturers. Seriously, they are the epic. And our lab facilities are also pretty damn good.

Of course I'm biased, but I'd strongly recommend ESH in DCU. Aside from the course itself, DCU has great student life, as described in other threads.

You want to know anything else?

Fiona_

thanks for replying, well you see thats all im really interested in, climate change etc so im stuck for what course i should pick. i only do biology, is that a problem since there is a lot of tricky chemistry?? .everyone says thats fine because you start from scratch but is it really hrad? what is the main stuff you study? is it mainly plants and animals?

foreverrandom

Im in first year environmental science in NUIG and be warned in 1st year its all just science and u wont even know your doing an environmental course...but no matter where you go itll be like that...the environmental stuff starts in 2nd year...as for only doing biology for lc all i did was ag science!!!....its not that hard if you go to tutorials and tbh you only need to go to chemistry ones..i didnt bother with the others!....2nd year chemistry is supposed to be tough but sure ull have that!!! i would considor sligo if your more into protection cos they have a level7 course there called environmental management you should check it out....and nuig in general is an unreal college and the city is also...there is literally never a dull moment!!!

Bogsnorkler

Hey, I did a BSc Environmental Science in UCC, specialising in Chemistry.
The course is mighty broad and so requires quite a lot of work.

I'm not sure I understand what exactly your looking for. Is it more atmospheric pollution? or just general environmental monitoring and compliance.

TBH Env. Science is so broad that no one course will cover everything, and each Uni will have different focus and specialisations. I would suggest digging out the book of modules for each course and having a look at the course content.

Fiona_

yes i think i have put that course down for sligo but i dont know if i want to do a level 7 i know that sounds stupid but im just so confused ha. well it seems like its basically science in the environmental science course not actually protection etc so i might have more of a look into the sligo course thanks

Fiona_

Bogsnorkler wrote: »

Hey, I did a BSc Environmental Science in UCC, specialising in Chemistry.
The course is mighty broad and so requires quite a lot of work.

I'm not sure I understand what exactly your looking for. Is it more atmospheric pollution? or just general environmental monitoring and compliance.

TBH Env. Science is so broad that no one course will cover everything, and each Uni will have different focus and specialisations. I would suggest digging out the book of modules for each course and having a look at the course content.

yeah like i want to study the effects of co2 and global warming, rising of the sea level etc. what did you basically study?

morman

I am about to complete a degree in Environmental Science at the University of Limerick. The course in limerick is much more focused on the areas you want to study. It has modules that cover a lot of atmospheric chemistry, climate change and pollutant fate modelling. I also didn't do chemistry for the leaving cert but I their are basic chemistry modules in first year. The 8 month cooperative education is great as well.....don't underestimate how much you learn during that 8 months. The course here has a great reputation

prettygurrly

hello,

i'd like to make the point that without good science behind you, you will find it very difficult to save the planet. i'm like you, i was up for all the interesting subjects such as atmospheric pollution etc etc. but first and foremost you have to understand your subject which is science. the thing about environmental science is that it is very broad ranging but i like the fact that now I am doing a PhD I can still have an opinion on so many areas that a very focussed course wouldn't have.

if you want to do pollution etc. you can do that in NUIG. I did the course and realised that I wasn't mad about plants and animals either. However I got through those particular modules and I am pleased with the education that I have. I was able to do physics of the environment in my fourth year and there is a module for atmospheric chemistry from 3rd year onwards. however that doesn't mean that you dont learn about these things in chemistry proper which you do until 3rd year.

also, you have no idea what will peak your interest as you go through your course. would it not be better to do a course with a wide range of options and a broad education and then specialise as opposed to limiting yourself to something specific?

the final thing i would say is, if you do a course that is not very strong in scientific methods and understanding and is only interested in policy and action you will be laughed at in job interviews. you can always do a masters in something specific afterwards if you finish your broad degree and feel you'd like to do something specialised. i did a MSc environmental engineering in queens which I found brilliant but i was really pleased i had done a proper science degree for moving into the masters.

environmental science in nui was brilliant, because it had such small classes you had great connections with people and that would be one reason why i would choose a denominated degree. galway itself is one of my favourite periods of my life and i still go back at least once a year to catch up with friends still there. i also loved living away from home but in what is essentially a small town as opposed to a city.