The Utrecht Centre of Geosciences (UCG) is an alliance between Utrecht University (UU) and its on-campus neighbour TNO Built, Environment and Geosciences. UCG was established in 2003 to support thematic collaboration across the full spectrum of Earth Sciences research and education on the Utrecht campus. The following groups participate in UCG:

• The faculty of Geosciences: Earth Sciences, Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences
• The faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology: Palaeoecology, Landscape ecology
• The faculty of Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy: Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (IMAU)
• TNO Built Environment and Geosciences

An important feature of UCG is that the collaborating faculties and TNO together cover the complete spectrum of geoscience disciplines. The centre integrates the research, teaching and facilities relating to the geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere and atmosphere.

These are some highlights in the history of UCG

There are six multidisciplinary research themes within UCG:

• Biogeology and biogeochemistry
• Coastal systems and lowland river systems
• Hydrology/Hydrogeology
• The management and exploitation of natural resources
• Geo-energy
• Climate variability and geodynamics