Geology Degree

Geology Degree is site dedicated to providing useful guides and resources on geology degrees. Are you passionate about studying the Earth and its life forms? Are you rock or mineral collector with a keen interest in learning about the natural world? Then, perhaps earning a degree in geology is a smart move.

A geology degree is widely valued by employers when looking for employment as a geoscientist, hydrogeologist, or an environmental attorney. Geology majors also go on to work as a sedimentologist, a geophysicist, and many other important careers that help our environment. The schools we list on our site are accredited degree programs in geology and related fields at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels.

Definition of Geology

Geology is a science that studies the Earth and the materials that it’s made of. It looks at the rocks that the Earth is composed of, the structure of the earth’s materials, and the processes acting upon those materials that cause the Earth to evolve. Through the study of geology we can understand the history of the Earth. Geologists decipher evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and the past climates the Earth has been through. Geology also includes the study of organisms that have inhabited the planet, and how they’ve changed over time.

Currently we use geology for mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, evaluating water resources, predicting natural hazards, finding remedies for environmental problems, providing insights into past climate change, and geotechnical engineering. Through geology degrees people can study geology, become a geologist, and use their knowledge to improve our Earth.

A Geology Education – An Overview

If you’re interested in studying geology, there are a few different degree options open to you in both undergrad and graduate education. The following are a few options:

• Bachelor of Arts in Geology: The BA in geology degree is intended for students who plan to pursue teacher certification, natural resource management, scientific or technical writing, and other fields that combine a strong liberal arts background with science training. BA classes may include earth materials, minerals, igneous and metamorphic rocks, oceanography, principles of astronomy, deformation of the Earth, sedimentary processes, earth surface processes, and field methods.
• Bachelor of Science in Geology: The BS in geology degree differs from the BA in that it has a strong mathematical component. It’s typically designed for students planning to pursue graduate study in geology, or work as a professional geologist. Courses may include: History of the Earth, Earth materials, deformation of the Earth, sedimentary processes, Earth surface processes, field methods, chemistry, physics, physics in electricity and magnetism, and calculus classes.
• Master of Science in Geology: This is a graduate degree in geology. Master programs are advanced geology degrees with a focus on geology classes. They typically come in both thesis and non-thesis options. Those who want to get a master’s in geology degree must have an undergraduate degree in geology or a closely related science field. Sometimes they’ll let applicants without a bachelor’s degree in geology to take pre-requisite classes before beginning a master’s program. Pre-requisite classes include: physical geology, mineralogy, paleobiology, petrography, geologic field methods, stratigraphy, igneous/metamorphic petrogenesis, structural geology, sedimentary petrogenesis, and introduction to geophysics.
• Doctorate in Geology: A PhD is the highest level of degree a person can get in geology. These programs are designed to develop creative scholarship and to prepare the student for a professional career in the geological sciences. Typically a person chooses a specialization or focus such as geochemistry, geology, geophysics, planetary geology, minerals, or more. Students can be admitted into PhD programs with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in geology. Depending on the previous degree earned, a PhD may take one to two years of study.

In all degree levels of geology, the goal is for students to master basic concepts and vocabulary in geology. Through these programs you’ll learn the following materials:

• Plate tectonics
• Origin and classification of rocks and minerals
• Geological time scale and how this relates to major events in the history of Earth and its life
• Geophysical properties of the Earth and crustal deformation
• Processes that shape the surface of the Earth
• Environmental hazards and issues

You’ll also be expected to:

• Develop skills in observing and recording geologic features and processes
• Develop competency in the interpretation of earth science data, including both qualitative and quantitative analyses
• Achieve competence in: locating and interpreting scientific literature,
• Giving oral presentations,
• Using computers at a level consistent with current professional practice
• Be able to express earth science concepts in writing

Specializations Within Geology

Not all geologists study the same thing. Since the Earth is so large there are many areas that a geologist can focus on. The following are the most common types of geology specializations within geology degrees:

Economic Geology: These geologists help locate and manage the Earth’s natural resources. These resources may include petroleum, coal, and minerals such as iron, copper, and uranium. Typically these resources are used for profit companies.

Mining Geology: This is a common form of geology that focuses on extracting mineral resources from the Earth. Typically these resources are of economic interest. They may include gemstones, metals, and many minerals such as asbestos, perlite, mica, phosphates, zeolites, clay, pumice, quartz, silica, sulfur, chlorine, and helium.

Petroleum Geology: These geologists study locations below the Earth’s surface where extractable hydrocarbons may be. They especially focus on petroleum and natural gas. Petroleum geologists also study the formation of sedimentary basins, where gas reservoirs are typically found. They look into the sedimentary and tectonic evolution, and the present-day positions of rocks within the basins.

Engineering Geology: This is the application of geologic principles to engineering practice. The main purpose of engineering geology is to assure that the geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of engineering works are properly addressed in engineering and building projects. In civil engineering geological principles are used in order to analyze the mechanical principles of the material on which structures are built, or will be built. This allows tunnels to be built without collapsing, and bridges and skyscrapers to be built with sturdy foundations.

Environmental Geology: Geology can be applied to various environmental problems. It can be applied in steam restoration, the restoration of brownfields, the understanding of the interactions between natural habitat and the geologic environment, and more.

Hydrology Geology: Groundwater hydrology, or hydrogeology, is used to locate groundwater. This can often provide a ready supply of uncontaminated water and is especially important in arid regions. It’s also used to monitor the spread of contaminants in groundwater wells.

Natural Hazards Geology: Geologists study natural hazards in order to enact safe building codes. They also make warning systems that are used to prevent loss of property and life amidst natural hazards. The kind of natural hazards that geologists’ study include: avalanches, earthquakes, floods, landslides, debris flows, river channel migration, avulsion, liquefaction, sinkholes, subsidence, tsunamis, and volcanoes.

Day in a Life of a Geologist

In general, geologists work to understand the history of our planet. As noted above, there are many different types of geology that geologists can focus on. The better understanding geologists have of the Earth’s history, the better they can foresee how events and processes of the past and present may influence the future. We rely on geologists to find a good supply of Earth’s products, such as natural gases and minerals. Every structure that we build we must know about the ground it sits on. Our food and fiber comes from soil, which we must understand to produce food. Protection against geologic hazards also depends on a geologists’ understanding of them.

Geologists are responsible for many important contributions to society. In fact, we rely on them in everyday life without even realizing it. Geologists use a number of field, laboratory, and numerical modeling methods to decipher Earth history. Through geological investigations, geologists use primary information related to the study of rocks (petrology), sedimentary layers (stratigraphy), and positions of rocks and their deformation (structural geology). In many cases, geologists also study modern soils, rivers, landscapes, and glaciers. They investigate past and current life and biogeochemical pathways, and use geophysical methods to investigate the subsurface of the Earth. The following are the typical categories that geologist’s work fall under:

Earth processes: The Earth is constantly evolving and changing due to natural disasters and climate change. These include landslides, earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions, all of which can be hazardous to people. Some geologists’ jobs are to understand these processes. Through understanding them they help build important structures where they won’t be damaged, or create maps of areas that have flooded in the past and that could be flooded in the future. These kinds of maps can be used in developing communities and housing areas. They can determine if certain houses need flood insurance or protection.

Earth materials: Humans use the Earth’s materials on a daily basis. We use oil that’s produced from wells, metals produced from mines, water drawn from underground sources, and more. A geologist’s work could involve studying rocks that contain important metals, finding and planning mines that could produce metals, finding oil reservoirs, and more.

Earth History: A current issue for our world is climate change. Many geologists are currently working to learn more about past climates of the Earth and how they’ve changed over time. Through understanding these patterns, geologists can understand our current climate change and what the future results of that change may be.

What kind of jobs can you get with a geology degree?

As geology is involved in a wide variety of things so a geologist can easily get a job in various sub-disciplines such as petroleum, engineering, mining, environmental, economic, research, teaching, and others.

The job market is all open for the geoscience graduates; there is no shortage of jobs for them. Students having a bachelor’s degree are always warmly welcomed by the organizations related to different geoscience fields, but majoring in geology creates more opportunities and increases your salary.

A geology degree can get you a job in the environmental industry. You can also get in the petroleum and earth materials industries. Other than this, some graduates also pursue their career in teaching.

So, here we are discussing some of the major jobs you can get with a geology degree.

Geologist: Studying the physical aspects of the earth to know about its past, present, and future is the primary job of a geologist. Geologists go deep into the soil to find out how it is made? They learn about the structure, processes, and composition of the earth. Geologists study about different forces like wind, water, as well as earthquakes that change the shape of the earth.

Wellsite Geologist: The wellsite geologists are required to study the rock cuttings extracted from wells. This study and testing of the geologists help the oil and gas companies to know how to start drilling and how much deeper they can drill. The wellsite geologists collect this information by performing different tests on rock cuttings.

Seismic Interpreter: You can also become a seismic interpreter with a degree in geology. The role of a seismic interpreter is to conclude what the earth is made of. How deep our earth is and how much layers are present beneath the ground. They accurately calculate the toughness of rocks by sending sound waves through the rock layers, and when they return, they get all the required and essential information related to the ground. They assess the environment and tell the energy or mineral companies that how much productive the researched land is.

Hydrogeologist: The hydrogeologists are responsible for taking care of the water supplies and ensuring that everyone gets the contaminated-free water. These individuals keep an eye on the groundwater movement that how it moves through the rocks and soils and what type of contaminants it carries. They also work together with other individuals to remove those harmful contaminants and pollutants from the water for human safety.

Engineering Geologist: An engineering geologist is a person that finds out and tells how much the land is suitable for construction. They determine the condition of the construction sites to ensure that no minerals, rocks, and groundwater may cause problems during the construction. They report the construction engineers and contractors about whether the site is suitable for development or not.

Researcher: You can also become a researcher if you have a geology degree. The only objective of a researcher is to improve human health by using different clinical tests. They often use various investigative methods to draw their conclusions and findings.

Geology Teacher: After completing your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of geology, you can also become a professor at a university, college, or secondary school. A professor of geology teaches their students about the composition, structure, and processes of the earth. They share their experience and knowledge with their students to help them do well in the field of geology.

Other than this, there are many other geology jobs that you can be a part of.

How to become a geologist?

If you want to become a geologist, then there are various things that are required to do.

• First of all, it is necessary to establish a foundation. You must have to focus on the subjects of math and science if you want to be a geologist. Chemistry and physics are the most important subjects to focus on, and calculus also needs your attention on the math end.
• To become a geologist, it is also necessary to improve your computer skills. It has now become quite essential to have good knowledge of computers and Global Information Systems (GIS). Otherwise, there will be no value for you.
• Look for those schools that offer programs in the field of earth science or geology. And then select the best school that primarily focuses on this course of study.
• To get your bachelor’s degree, select a geology-related major in one of the best universities. After deciding your major, select a minor in support of that major.

For example, if you want to become a scientific researcher in the field of geology, then it is mandatory to take physical science as a minor. Or you can also go for chemistry to support your major.

• Along with studying, it is also essential to help other geologists in the laboratory or go onto the field to conduct some research. It is quite beneficial for the geology students to do practical work along with studying. It makes them learn better and quicker.

Check whether your university offers field research positions or internships in labs. If yes, then without wasting any time, grab those positions.

• To get a job in any sector, you can apply with your bachelor’s degree, but if you want to become a geology professor, then it is necessary to have a master’s or Ph.D. degree in geology.
• Join local geologist societies to start your career as a geologist. These societies or networks help fresh graduates to meet professionals. The advantage of joining a professional organization is that it will add weight to your resume. These organizations run a variety of geology societies under their belt. So, your joining will open new doors in your career.
• As being a geologist, you can either teach in a university or high school. Also, a museum may be looking for a geologist. Other than this, power companies and mining companies also hire geologists. Also, you can get a call from a GIS company to work for them. Moreover, you can even start your career as a strict scientific researcher.