EARTH AND MARINE SCIENCES

Overview

If you want to understand the planet on which we live, then perhaps a degree in Earth and marine sciences could be for you. Read our guide to find out what exactly Earth science subjects are, some of different specializations available, and the potential careers open to graduates.
Study Earth sciences and you can expect to be concerning yourself with topics such as the evolution of life, planetary interiors, the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, oceanic and atmospheric phenomena, and earth surface processes.
There is also a strong focus on environmental issues. You might look at the Earth’s resources, how we use them and how we could preserve them, atmospheric changes and their effect on life on Earth, or how human activity might increase the likelihood of natural disasters.
These topics are becoming more and more important by the day; choose to focus on them and you may well find yourself working amidst the frontline of scientists dedicated to protecting the planet.
Whatever you choose to focus on, you will find yourself splitting your time between the lab and the field – so be ready to get your hands dirty and, on occasion, go up against the elements.
This is not at the expense of lab work though, so you’ll need the usual meticulous attention to detail, a huge cache of subject-specific knowledge and the ability to convert raw data into solid findings.
Discover the world's best universities for Earth & marine sciences: QS Rankings By Subject >

Specialization

‘Earth sciences’ is really an umbrella term for a wide range of more specialized disciplines. In many cases universities simply offer these specializations as separate degrees. Others offer wider Earth sciences degrees with internal options for specialization. Either way, the diversity of the different branches means that you will almost certainly have to pick what you would like to specialize in fairly early in your academic career.
Here are some of the more popular specializations which you might choose:

Geology

One of the most popular Earth sciences, geology is the study of the physical make-up of the solid parts of the planet Earth. The applications of the subject include understanding why natural disasters occur, where and how we might find valuable physical resources, how the Earth came to be how it is today, and how it will be in the future

Oceanography

Oceans make up 71% of the world’s surface, according to the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. However, 95% of this total remains unexplored. Oceanography is the Earth science discipline which aims to help us understand the physical, chemical, and biological composition of these mysterious swathes of our planet.

Soil science

Though dedicating yourself to studying mud might seem a bit strange, it makes a lot more sense when you realize how important a subject it is. After all, we wouldn’t last very long without the things that grow in soil; both for us and for feeding livestock. With the human population rapidly increasing and food shortages threatening to become an issue, soil science looks set to play a key role in the future of agriculture.

Meteorology

Meteorology is the study of atmosphere, most often employed in predicting the weather. In the modern age, meteorology is also being employed in predicting climate change, so in addition to studying the effect of meteorological phenomena on human life, it looks at humanity’s effects on the atmosphere.

Palaeontology

This is a unique branch of the sciences, sitting somewhere between Earth sciences and biology. It uses fossils or geochemical evidence to study ancient life, and through them, work out the evolutionary path that led from single-cell organisms to the complex and not-so-complex life-forms which exist today. One for dinosaur-lovers.
Masters in Earth Sciences: Profile >

Career Options

Your career options as an Earth scientist will depend on which branch of the subject you specialize in and the level to which you pursue it. Get as far as the research level and you will be able to choose from such careers as geologist, oceanographer, geophysicist, meteorologist or seismologist.
These could involve you working at a university, combining research with teaching, at an NGO or other not-for-profit body, or at a private organization.
There is always the option of combining your expertise in your subject with another less research orientated profession. Environmental journalism has become increasingly important as people seek to become better informed about such issues.
And for those who believe Earth science issues should have a direct bearing on political processes, there are pressure groups and lobbying organizations.
If, however, it sounds like these careers involve a bit too much sitting down for an outdoorsy Earth sciences graduate, you could always consider becoming a forest or a park ranger, or dedicating yourself to field research rather than laboratory work.
As ever, teaching is also an option, as is a graduate qualification in law (specializing in environmental issues perhaps). And finally, there is always the wide selection of graduate careers which simply require an analytical mind and the ability to learn.
Geosciences in Denmark: Profile >

Key Skills

The skills you gain will most closely be related to which Earth science you choose to pursue and in which you will work towards becoming an expert. However you will also acquire a more widely applicable range of skills.
These include:

• Interpreting raw data
• Attention to detail
• Ability to present findings in a concise and comprehensible fashion
• Framework for further learning and understanding of how to use scientific literature
• Technological literacy
• Experience of fieldwork, often in trying conditions
• Working as part of a team
• Experience of working in a laboratory
• Awareness of environmental issues
• Interdisciplinary skills

Discover the world's best universities for Earth & marine sciences: QS Rankings By Subject >

Geosciences in Denmark: Student Profile

Bartosz Gołędowski, from Poland, is studying a PhD in geosciences at Aarhus University in Denmark. He got a taste for the country during his master's degree, when he came to Aarhus on an exchange program.

Bartosz, 27, is ambitious and talented. Having completed his bachelor’s degree from the University of Warsaw, Poland, he felt it was time for new challenges in new settings. “I had a strong urge to experience a new environment and improve my skills in the field of marine geology,” he says.

Bartosz says that one of the most positive things about studying at Aarhus has been getting guidance from great teachers. “They are professional, easy to get along with and willing to help you with anything regarding your studies,” he observes.

The informal student-teacher relationship and egalitarian structure of the university impressed him too. “Aarhus is a modern university and so is the way it functions. It is very well managed. Actually, I can’t think of a better place to study in,” he states.

Work, and play

When he finished his exchange program at Aarhus, and was not getting any funds to support himself, he had to work part-time to earn some money. Paid fieldwork at the Department of Geosciences (where he studied) and vacation jobs with a mining company in Greenland in addition to working for an environmental company as a project assistant, helped him gain experience as well as support himself financially.

He has now obtained a PhD grant from the Faculty of Science at Aarhus University to fund his research.

As a PhD student, university life has been great fun for him. Since Aarhus is a university town, there are numerous party places to suit everybody’s tastes. Bartosz informs that although the city is not a metropolis, plenty of events, festivals, music concerts featuring world-known artists are available for all. “Danes love to party and some of the events are truly mind-blowing and one-of-a-kind,” he says.

Bartosz highly recommends cycling or biking in Denmark. “Although the weather can be quite dreadful, the cycling infrastructure is fantastic. Get a good bike and an even better rain gear… Use money on vacations to more sunny destinations of the world,” he suggests.

Sharing a slice of advice from his own experiences as an international student in Denmark, Bartosz informs that making new friendships here may require some effort. “You have to be persistent in your relations with Danish people,” he observes.

Golden opportunities

An international experience, he feels, has given him the confidence and knowledge to be a global citizen. “Studying abroad gave me the experience and education in many interesting fields. My career prospects have improved by a 100% or maybe even 200%,” he says.

Doing a PhD has presented him with several golden opportunities to develop contacts in both the academic and private sector. This has given him the confidence to be sure about his future prospects. “I am not worried about my future career as I am already receiving offers from companies interested in hiring me,” he says.

At Aarhus, Bartosz enjoyed meeting people from various parts of the world the most. He feels that studying abroad has broadened his horizons and intensified his urge to travel to other countries. He will soon complete his PhD and plans to travel around the world before getting a job and settling down in one place.

“I have too high expectations from my professional life and a strong will to explore the world a bit more,” he says. He plans to leave the academic life and work in the private sector as a geologist, preferably in an oil company in the near future.

For Bartosz, the experience of studying abroad has been a memorable one and something he will recommend to everybody. “Yes, yes, yes. Go for it. It’s worth it. Such experience is simply invaluable,” he says enthusiastically.

Read more student stories from around the world >

Masters in Earth Sciences: Student Profile

Matthew Gatzoubaros, 26, is about to begin a Masters in Earth Sciences at ETH Zurich. He got a taste for studying abroad during his undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne, when he spent a year at the University of New Brunswick in Canada.

“It made me realize that there is more to university than academic study. There are cultural and social aspects of development that students are thrust into when studying abroad. This is the challenge that interests me most about studying abroad.”

He is undaunted by the idea of having to live away from his family and friends as he feels it is a part and parcel of studying the subject of earth sciences.

No 'great leap'

After completing his undergraduate degree, he worked as a geoscientist with the mining company, Rio Tinto, for three-and-a-half years. “It has been an exciting time, with extensive travel and challenging work,” he says, insisting that one must be willing to go to remote places and take a global perspective of things.

Studying or working abroad, he argues, shouldn’t be seen as “the great leap” like in the past. He believes that in today’s global world where distances are melting, one should consider studying abroad as an “essential” rather than “recommended”.

He says that having heard his elder sister discuss her experiences of teaching English abroad helped him gain an insight into the emotions one goes through when away from home.

“From the initial excitement to tackling cultural shock, from the yearning to return home to the feeling of stability and comfort—it was a good warning for me,” he says. Having experienced the same emotions as a working professional staying away from home, he feels he is ‘getting into the groove’.

“I have no doubt I will experience it again at ETH, but at least now I will approach it with less trepidation.”

Finding funding

For Matthew, who completed his Combined Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering and Science in 2007, opting to work before embarking on a master’s degree was a conscious decision. “I made a strong commitment to being able to support myself financially, at least in terms of start-up costs of moving and relocating.”

Although he received an offer from the University of Cambridge to do a PhD, he had to let go of it purely because of lack of funds and his inability to secure a scholarship.

“ETH Zurich was the more affordable option and my motivations at the time were more in line with doing a master’s program rather than a PhD,” he says, adding that he isn’t sure what his choice would have been between ETH and Cambridge had he been successful in securing the required funding to study in the UK. “Both were equally good opportunities.”

He was lucky enough to be granted The Excellence Scholarship and Opportunity Award for International Masters students at ETH, which made his decision simpler. The scholarship was granted to him for the quality of research proposal he had submitted and will partly cover his tuition fee, while offering a monthly stipend to cover his living costs.

Extensive planning

But it wasn’t just the funding bit which made him zero in on Switzerland. He knew that he would be happy spending two years studying his master’s program in Europe than anywhere else. However, he took his time to discuss and be recommended by colleagues and contacts at both the University of Melbourne and within the industry on which university and course to choose.

“ETH happened to have the best mix of coursework and research with a strong links to industry,” he says.  He applied to the top universities in the subject of his choice only after deeply investigating the courses they were offering. He also studied the university rankings.

Matthew had done his homework well in advance to have a smooth journey as far as applying to universities was concerned. In fact, he began “more than 12 months in advance” in his bid to get things done on time. “I contacted professors at the University of Melbourne requesting references, began working on my letter of motivation and also had some idea of a research proposal,” he says.

After so much of preparation, it was a moment of jubilation for him when he received his Letter of Acceptance or when the scholarship was granted to him.

Matthew is now eager and enthusiastic about attending a university. “I’m only two months away from a complete change in lifestyle and surroundings. And it is a change I have been planning for more than 12 months, so I’m glad that the time has finally come.”

He is also looking forward to facing the challenge of returning to a university - "older and after a few years of working in the industry" as well as educating himself about a new culture and language. “I’m looking forward to stimulating my academic mind once again with research but I’m also looking forward to learning Swiss German and seeing the country and experiencing what it is like to live in Europe.”

Find out more about studying abroad in Switzerland >