Earth Science

What is Earth Science

Earth Science is one of the science disciplines that have Earth as its focus of study. Earth Science deals with geography, geology, palaeontology, seismology, and many other subjects. The focus might be on earth and its innumerable contents and processes but also includes the neighbours of the Earth and the nearby cosmos. The discipline is like a combination of geography, chemistry, environmental science and geology. It is packed with knowledge that is useful as a geologist, miner, mineralogist, marine geologist, seismologist, oceanographer, environmentalist, palaeontology and a lecturer. In India, there are a number of Earth Science courses available at the undergraduate, post-graduate and even doctoral levels. With the growing risks of environmental and earth-related issues such as global warming, pollution, earthquakes and floods, the prospects of Earth Science as a discipline has increased a lot. Other than that, mining companies, meteorological departments, disaster management departments, oil and natural gas companies, and many such private companies hire graduates of Earth Sciences, thus doubling its prospects by twofold.

Earth Science Course Highlights

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Earth Science

Apart from the requirement of appearing for entrance exams conducted by various colleges/ institutes, students are also required to fulfil certain eligibility criteria to apply for Earth Sciences courses in various colleges and institutes across India.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Courses:

• Students applying for Earth Sciences in UG course (B.Sc./ B.Tech.) must have completed 10+2 level with not less than 50 percent in science stream from a recognised board in India.
• Students may also have to take entrance examinations such as  JEE MAIN, as instructed by the respective college/Institute.

Eligibility Criteria for PG Courses:

• Students applying for M.Sc./ M.Tech courses in Earth Sciences must have passed UG level exam in the related field with not less than 55 percent from a recognised college/ university in India.
• Students may have to appear for entrance exams like GATE.

Eligibility for Doctoral Program:

• Students applying for PhD in Earth Sciences and any specialisation with the subject must score at least 55 percent in PG level exam in the related subject.
• Students may also have to sit for entrance exams conducted by respective institutes and universities.
  
  
  

Earth Sciences Entrance Examination

Entrance examinations are held by institutions offering courses related to Earth Sciences across India. These entrance exams are conducted to test the skills and knowledge of students with respect to the course. In order to sit for these entrance exams, students must have at least 45-55 percent in the qualifying exam (10+2 or graduation exam or PG exam). Some of the most common Earth Sciences entrance tests are –

1. Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main): JEE Main is the biggest national level exam conducted for various engineering courses at UG level across India. The score of this entrance test is accepted in all IITs, NITs, and CFTIs. Many IITs offer B.Sc./ M.Sc. in Earth Science.

2. Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE): GATE is the most important exam for engineering students seeking admission in PG courses offered by India’s best colleges. Every year as many as 8 – 10 Lakh students sit for the exam.

3. Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) Entrance Test: Indian Institute of Remote Sensing is one of the top institutes offering M.Sc. courses in Earth Science and related subjects.

4. Manipal Entrance Test (MET): This is conducted by the Manipal University for students seeking admission into the Manipal Institute of Technology. This is written for various B.Tech. and M.Tech. courses, including Earth Science.

5. Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Bhopal Aptitude Test: IISER Bhopal is one of the most reputed institutes in India. It conducts IISER Aptitude test for taking students in various B.Sc., and M.Sc. courses include Earth Sciences.

Required Skillset for Earth Science

To excel in the field of Earth Sciences, a keen interest of the subject and its various faucets is the only way. With hard work and dedication, success in the field is certain. Apart from this, in order to successfully navigate through the curriculum of the course and perform their best in careers of the course, listed below are some skills that can easily be picked up along the way -

• Knowledge relating to Science and The Earth: Students must have a great deal of knowledge about geography and the Earth with a good application of science, especially in the chemistry of everyday processes of the Earth. This will definitely be a plus point.
  
  
• Practical Skills: Students must have great lab skills to excel in experiments and any other practical work. Practical skills will be especially useful for conducting on-site research like in mining, hydrogeology, and other work.
  
  
• Research Oriented: Students must be research-oriented to find solutions to unsolved problems and conduct new research to prove points and inferences.
  
  
• Statistical Mind: Statistical skills to draw and analyse large numerical data and graphs and deduce conclusions from them is an especially important asset for Earth Sciences students.
  
  
• Computer Skills: Students must know how to operate computer programs such as GIS and Remote Sensing.
  
  
• Communication Skills: Verbal skills of students will help them in clearing viva, interviews, or discussing any problem in detail.