Academic Opportunities
The Department of Earth Sciences invites applications for two professorial posts and two lectureship posts from 1st October 2012. More...
Why Study Earth Sciences
Violent volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, devastating tsunami and climate change are all evidence of the dynamic character of the Earth and its component parts, the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. To understand how the Earth System works, the ideas and principles of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics are integrated in the exciting and stimulating studies which make up Earth Sciences.
Geoscientists may work anywhere on Earth – and also with material from the Moon, and with planetary images. They may travel widely, working in many different countries and climates: on an exploration drilling rig in the cold of Alaska or the heat of the Persian Gulf, in Antarctica, the Himalayas, at sea drilling the ocean floor, in arid environments seeking groundwater, and in the many naturally hazardous volcanic and tectonically active regions of the world. Geoscientists work in the field, laboratory and office gathering rock samples and making measurements, applying many and varied analytical techniques, interpreting results, computer modelling, presenting reports, and contributing to development of policy on the Earth’s vital resources and life-sustaining environment.
Earth Scientists make many beneficial contributions to society, by:
- understanding climate change and its dramatic consequences
- monitoring geohazards and predicting volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
- discovering and managing the world’s resources: hydrocarbons and precious minerals
- managing groundwater and ensuring pollution-free water supplies
- planning for environmental sustainability e.g. carbon capture and storage
- investigating the strength of bedrock, to support roads, dams, power stations and tunnels
UCL Earth Sciences carries out world-leading research in mineral, rock and ice physics, climate change impacts in the polar regions, geological archives of past global climate changes, palaeontology, and geo-environmental hazards – all used in the development of our undergraduate programmes. World-class facilities are accessible to our undergraduate students; these include NASA’s European Regional Planetary Image Facility (hosted by the Department).
UCL Earth Sciences · Gower Street London WC1E 6BT · +44 (0)20 7679 2363
earthsci@ucl.ac.uk · more
