Earth and ocean science or Environmental Science

mockshelp

What are the differences between these courses?
I know both overlap in some areas e.g. both study climate change.
But can anyone explain the differences?
Which degree would be better? I'm interested in climate change which both look at.

Would be great if any current students doing any of these courses give me their lowdown on it! Thanks.

the keen edge

I'm not in either programme, but I'd say generally speaking the EOS course would provide a broader education in the fields of geology, oceanography and natural earth processes; where as Enviro Sci would tend to focus more on the effects and results that anthropogenic(human) activities have on these natural processes.

EOS tends towards the harder sciences: physics, geo-science(Marine & Environmental), sedimentary and igneous petrology.
Enviro Sci tends towards chemistry and the study of microbial science(microbiology, nitrogen & carbon cycles).

However, as you mention yourself, there is a lot of overlap.
Modern Science, and especially the study of Earth science, is evermore resolved with an interdisciplinary approach; there are many routes available for students to get involved in whatever specialism holds their interest.

IMO which degree is better isn't a question that anybody can answer, specifically for you.
Both degrees teach and provide both common and specific subjects.

It's can be difficult for a young school leaver to appreciate where the different scientific techniques lay within the greater world of science.

The best advice I can offer is not to pigeon-hole yourself too early on in your academic journey and to this end I would recommend the EOS degree or maybe undenominated Science if you're unsure of what angle to approach.

mockshelp

Thanks so much for the reply the keen edge! I can do EOS through the undenominated science course so that would be a good option. But if I do that the only one I'm ruling out is environmental science (its not included in undenominated science).

Environmental science seems to be a broader area of study than earth science. It incorporates geoscience and loads of different sciences whereas earth and ocean science is only geoscience/ocean science? Is earth science just rocks, plate tectonics, tectonic activities like earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes? I may prefer environmental science which has a broader scope. Basically my understanding is that earth science is like physical geography (processes of the earth) and environmental science is about the biology and chemistry of the environment (plants, animals) and about the human interactions (the damage we are doing to it e.g. air pollution, water pollution). (But it doesn't look at earth's processes).

I think I'll go for undenominated science and see what I like most. I might like the other subjects: microbiology, biochemistry, physiology or zoology. (These are life sciences. Maybe I'd prefer life sciences!) I know I wouldn't like 3 years of chemistry that's in environmental science. That's the only degree I rule out if I do undenominated. Or maybe I shouldn't be put off by the chemistry- I may enjoy the broader scope of environmental science.

You say EOS is physics based. I hate physics and chemistry so maybe I shouldn't be choosing any earth/environmental science course?

Basically I don't have a clue what to study or what career I'd like. All I know is that I find science more interesting to other areas like social sciences, law or business. I thought with climate change (which is the big problem of the 21st century) it would be a good area to study in. But if I don't like it there's no point studying it. I think I'll go for undenominated science because I can combine the different sciences and see which I prefer. And EOS will still be available to me through it. So I think its the best option.

Last Question: Do you know what careers EOS/environmental science leads to? Obviously geologist or environmental scientist/consultant springs to mind. But with EOS - geologist jobs would be abroad...I don't want to leave Ireland. Wonder if there'd be jobs from the EOS degree in Ireland? Maybe something like renewable energies would be available...

the keen edge

mockshelp wrote: »

Thanks so much for the reply the keen edge! I can do EOS through the undenominated science course so maybe that would be a good option.

A note on denominated & undenominated degree programme content.
Generally the subjects studied during the year in denominated programmes are typically three/four core modules which are compulsory plus a couple of elective courses chosen from a list of modules related to the degree programme.
In the undenominated stream there is greater freedom of module selection, especially in first and second year. Although in the event of over subscribed modules if denominated student satisfy prerequisite they will be offered places before undenominated students.

Bare in mind that a lot of 3rd and 4th year modules require prerequisite 2nd and 3rd year modules, affecting your module selections.

mockshelp wrote: »

But if I do that the only one I'm ruling out is environmental science (its not included in undenominated science).

Environmental science is a degree programme; not a module.
However modules starting with the course code EV are Environmental science module.
See here:
[url=/http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/2undenbooklet.pdf]2nd Undenominated Science handbook[/url]
[url=/ http://www.nuigalway.ie/science/documents/2denbooklet.pdf ]2nd Denominated handbook [/url]

mockshelp wrote: »

Environmental science seems to be a broader area of study than earth science. It incorporates geoscience and loads of different science whereas earth and ocean science is only geoscience/ocean science? Is earth science just rocks, plate tectonics, tectonic activities (like earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes)? I may prefer environmental science which has a broader scope.

For me denominated EOS is broader then Environ Sci as per elective modules listed in the above link.

mockshelp wrote: »

Basically my understanding is that earth science is like physical geography (processes of the earth - plate tectonics etc.) and environmental science is more about the biology and chemistry of the terrestrial environment (plants and animals) and about the human interactions (the damage we are doing to it). (But it doesn't look at earth's processes) Is that fairly accurate? I'd like to combine them and study earth's processes and human interactions!

Broadly accurate, although, and I'm open to correction Environ Sci will generally always be associated with anthropogenic activities.

Whereas EOS is more wide ranging.

mockshelp wrote: »

I don't know maybe I should go for undenominated science and see what I like most. I know I wouldn't like 3 years of chemistry that's in environmental science. That's the only one I'm ruling out by doing undenominated. Or maybe I shouldn't be put off by the chemistry - I may enjoy the broader scope of environmental science. If earth and ocean science is only rocks, ocean and plate tectonics I may get bored of it early on!

AFAIK chemistry is a cornerstone of Environmental science, so.....

mockshelp wrote: »

You say EOS is very physics based. I don't like physics either. Basically I hate physics and chemistry so maybe I shouldn't be choosing any earth/environmental science course? I think I should go for undenominated science...I might like the other subjects: microbiology, biochemistry, physiology or zoology. (These are life sciences. Maybe I'd prefer life sciences!)

If you really hate the hard sciences then some of the areas of study in earth and environmental sciences definitely wont be for you.
However, and specifically with regard to climate change, microbiological and zoological studies are providing excellent indicators of what is occurring in earth terrestrial and oceanic environs.

As I said science is increasingly an interdisciplinary endeavour.

mockshelp wrote: »

Last Question: Do you know what careers EOS/environmental science leads to? Obviously geologist or environmental scientist/consultant springs to mind. But with EOS geologist jobs would be abroad...definitely don't want to leave Ireland. Are there careers out of the EOS degree (in ireland)? Thanks for being my guidance counsellor!

Dont worry about employment yet.
Follow whatever you are interested and passionate about and you'll never have to work a day in your life.

mockshelp

Thanks for the super reply. I think undenominated science was made for someone like me! If environmental science is mainly chemistry I wouldn't like it anyways so undenominated science has all the other subjects so I think its my best option.