Geological Sciences

Generally Prepares Individuals for: Earth Science; Geological Sciences; Geoscience; Hydrogeology; Marine Geology; Paleontology; Petroleum Geology; Seismology

Geology or Earth Science programs teach people to explore and analyze the earth’s crust and its resources. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered at colleges and universities. Graduate degree programs usually specialize in one branch of the science such as petroleum geology, engineering geology, marine geology, space geology, paleontology, economic geology, groundwater geology, and applied geology. Graduates usually look for work with government agencies or with the consulting, mining, and petroleum industries. Because the petroleum industry employs sixty percent of all geologists, opportunities will be greatest in this field. The first two years of degree requirements may be taken at community colleges and transferred to a four-year school. Some students take education courses to prepare for teacher certification.

Programs in Geologic Technology are designed to prepare people for employment as Geologic Technicians. A few schools offer degree programs. You must be eighteen years old or older, or have a high school diploma or the equivalent, to be admitted to the program. Typical course work includes geology, mathematics, surveying, industrial drawing, and data processing. Because the Petroleum industry employs sixty percent of all geologists, your employment opportunities will be greatest in this field.

Programs in Paleontology focus on the scientific study of extinct life forms and associated fossil remains, and the reconstruction and analysis of ancient life forms, ecosystems, and geologic processes. Instruction includes in sedimentation and fossilization processes, fossil chemistry, evolutionary biology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, trace paleontology, paleobotany, field research methods, and laboratory research and conservation methods.

A high school diploma or its equivalent is normally required for admission to undergraduate programs. Courses in math and the physical sciences may be required for entry into some programs. A bachelor’s degree in geology, physics, chemistry, biology, or math is usually required for admission to graduate programs. The Graduate Record Examination (including the advanced test in geology) is often used to screen applicants for graduate programs in Geology.

Although the courses included are typical for this program, the curriculum offered can vary greatly from school to school. We recommend that you visit school web sites for specific course descriptions or check the school catalogs.

Instruction includes lectures, laboratory work, and field training.

Courses may include:

• Biology
• Computer Science
• General Chemistry
• Historical Geology
• Mathematics (through Calculus)
• Mineralogy
• Paleontology
• Physics
• Principles of Geology
• Sedimentation
• Structural Geology

See school catalogs for a more complete listing and descriptions of coursework.

Requirements vary with school and specialty. Most schools require that calculus and physics be completed before granting the geology degree. See college catalogs for details.

The minimum requirement for most long-term employment with adequate upward mobility as a geologist is a master’s degree. For research or university teaching positions, a doctoral degree is necessary.

To access in detail information on the occupations down below, please log in to www.eureka.org.  If you’re a first time user, go to http://www.eureka.org/join/enter_code.asp.  Go to “I have a site ID Code” and then insert the following Code: J1DJUXH.  Enter your personal information and then click on “Dashboard” then go under “Education” and click “Majors/Programs” and lastly, select “Geological Sciences.”

• Anthropology
• Engineering
• Geography
• Oceanography
• Physical Sciences
• Physics

To access in detail information on the occupations  down below, please log in to www.eureka.org.  If you’re a first time user, go to http://www.eureka.org/join/enter_code.asp.  Go to “I have a site ID Code” and then insert the following Code: J1DJUXH.  Enter your personal information and then click on “Dashboard” then go under “Education” and click “Majors/Programs” and lastly, select “Geological Sciences.” 

• Cartographers
• Derrick Operators
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technicians
• Geologists
• Hazardous Waste Managers
• Meteorologists
• Oceanographers
• Paleontologists
• Physicists
• Rotary Drillers
• Seismologists
• University and College Teachers
• Volcanologists
• Water Well Drillers

California State University:

CPSU San Luis Obispo 

• Earth Sciences BS
• Geology Minor
• Land Rehabilitation Minor

CSU Pomona 

• Geology BS/Minor
• Integrated Earth Studies BS

CSU Bakersfield 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor
• Geology MS (Concentration: Hydrogeology)

CSU Chico 

• Geology BS/Minor
• Geosciences BS/Minor/MS
• Geosciences MS
• Hydrogeology Certificate

CSU Dominguez Hills 

• Geology BA (Options: Earth and Environment)
• Geotechniques Certificate (Graduate)

CSU East Bay 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor
• Geology MS (Option: Environmental Geology)

CSU Fresno 

• Geology BS/Minor/MS

CSU Fullerton 

• Geology BS/Minor/MS

CSU Humboldt State University 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor/MS

CSU Long Beach 

• Earth Science BS
• Geology BS/Minor/MS

CSU Los Angeles 

• Geological Sciences MS (Options: Geology; Environmental Hydrogeology)
• Geology BS/Minor

CSU Monterey Bay 

• Earth Systems Science Minor

CSU Northridge 

• Geological Sciences Single Subject Matter Program Credential
• Geology BS (Options: Environmental Geology; Secondary Teaching)
• Geology MS

CSU Sacramento 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor/MS

CSU San Bernardino 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor

CSU San Diego State University 

• Geological Sciences BS/Minor (Emphases: Engineering Geology; Geochemistry; Geophysics; Hydro.; Marine; Paleontology)
• Geological Sciences MS

CSU San Francisco State University 

• Applied Geosciences MS
• Earth Science BA
• Geology BS

CSU San Jose State University 

• Earth Science BA
• Geology BS/Minor/MS

CSU Sonoma State University 

• Geology BA/BS/Minor

CSU Stanislaus 

• Geology BS (Concentration: Applied Geology)
• Geology Minor

University of California:

UC Berkeley 

• Earth and Planetary Science BA (Specializations: Atmospheric Science; Environmental Earth Science; Geology; Geophysics; Marine Science) Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Applicants are screened for completion of major prerequisites, general education requirements and content of personal statement. Transfer applicants are screened for completion of lower division general education requirements which must be completed by the end of the preceding spring term for fall. For more information, contact 510-642-3175.
• Earth and Planetary Science MA/MS/Ph.D
• Earth and Planetary Science Minor

UC Davis 

• Environmental Geology Minor
• Geology AB/BS/Minor/MS/Ph.D
• Geophysics (Geology) Minor
• Hydrologic Sciences MS/Ph.D
• Hydrology (Environmental Sciences) BS/Minor

UC Los Angeles 

• Geochemistry Minor
• Geochemistry MS/C. Phil/Ph.D
• Geology BS/Minor Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Transfer applicants are screened for completion of lower division major and general education requirements. For more information, contact 310-825-3101.
• Geology MS/C.Phil/Ph.D.
• Geology-Engineering Geology BS Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Transfer applicants are screened for completion of lower division major and general education requirements. For more information, contact 310-825-3101.
• Geology-Paleobiology BS Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Transfer applicants are screened for completion of lower division major and general education requirements. For more information, contact 310-825-3101.

UC Merced 

• Earth Systems Science BS (Emphases: Atmospheric Sciences; Ecosystem Sciences; Geochemistry and Biochemistry; Hydrologic and Climate Sciences) Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Highest priority will be given to junior-level California Community Colleges applicants who have completed at least 60 transferable semester (90 qtr.) in the intended major. For more information, contact 209-228-4682.

UC Riverside

• Geological Sciences MS/Ph.D.
• Geology BS/Minor (Options: General Geology; Geobiology; Geophysics; Global Climate Change)
• Geophysics BS
• Geoscience Education BA

UC San Diego 

• Earth Sciences BS/Minor/MS/Ph.D

UC Santa Barbara

• Geologic Sciences Minor
• Geological Sciences BA/BS (Emphases: Climate and Environmental; Geohydrology; Paleobiology; Science Education) Additional requirements and/or Impacted programs: Students are admitted in pre-major standing and will be approved for admission to the full major only after certain courses are completed with a specified GPA. Contact the appropriate department for more information.
• Geological Sciences MS/Ph.D

UC Santa Cruz 

• Earth and Planetary Science BA/BS
• Earth Science Minor
• Earth Sciences BS (Concentrations: Environmental Geology; Ocean Sciences; Planetary Sciences; Science Education)
• Earth Sciences MS/Ph.D. (Concentrations: Geochemistry; Geology; Geophysics; Planetary Sciences)