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Careers
in Geology
Approximately 50,000 geologists
are at work today in private industry, in government, in teaching and
research, and as self-employed consultants. Historically, most geologists have been
employed in petroleum and related industries. Others work in cement, chemical, and ceramic industries, as
well as in the mining industry.
The largest federal employer is the U.S. Geological Survey, which
is part of the Department of the Interior.
Geologists also work for the Soil Conservation Service, the Bureau
of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Mines, the
Forestry Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
In addition, most states have their own geological surveys which
require trained geologists.
In
recent years the awareness of environmental issues has increased the need
for geologists trained in the areas of groundwater, landslides, soil conservation,
oceanography, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions,
and floods. Employment opportunities
in environmental and geotechnical fields continue to expand, even during
times of economic slowdown, and promise to continue to be a major area
of geological need.
Training
and preparation for careers in geology normally requires education through
the Masters degree, although some employment at the baccalaureate level
can be found. Teaching and
research at the college or university level requires the Ph.D. degree. Regardless of the particular area of employment,
a well-trained geologist must have a sound background in basic sciences,
including math, chemistry, physics and essential geology courses. It is the goal of this department to provide
this essential preparation at both the undergraduate and graduate level
through its programs of laboratory and classroom activities and fieldwork.
From time to time the department will sponsor a series of informal
seminars related to post-graduate and career opportunities for undergraduates. Notices will be placed around the department
and all undergraduates are invited to attend.
Additional
Information
Information on career
opportunities can be obtained from the Director
of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Geology.
Also, there is an undergraduate
bulletin board next to room 527 Geology/Physics which contains information
on careers as well as summer field camps and research opportunities.
Additional information may be obtained from the Student
Advising Center, 121 McMicken, and from the Career Dynamics Center, 6th
floor Old Chemistry Building.
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A well-trained geologist should have
a good grasp of four areas of fundamental skills:
fieldwork
laboratory studies
computer modeling and numerical calculation
environmental and resource assessment
Fieldwork
This involves the mapping and study of new terrains, including the continents,
the ocean floors, and planetary surfaces.
Competent fieldwork is needed to provide much of the evidence
in deciphering Earth history.
It is also critically important to the accurate collection and
documentation of samples for laboratory study, and to the design of
remediation strategies for contaminated sites.
The Department of Geology at UC has a strong, long-standing tradition
of field work with endowed funds to support it.
The geology library contains excellent up-to-date collections
of a large variety of maps and guidebooks.
Our location provides us with immediate access to world-reknown
exposures of Ordovician rocks and fossils, and thus makes possible the
discovery, description, and analysis of the actual occurrences of a
wide range of earth materials.
Laboratory Studies
The incorporation of analytical techniques developed in chemistry, physics,
and materials science has led to the emergence of specialized fields
such as geochemistry and geophysics.
Geochemistry, for example, provides much of the theoretical basis
for the study of aqueous solutions, gases, minerals (mineralogy) and
rocks (petrology). It also
forms the basis for studies that (a) examine the atomic structure and
behavior of minerals in the natural environment, (b) guide the study
of the geologic evolution of the Earth using rock chemistry and rock
chronology, (c) explore and develop mineral deposits, (d) evaluate the
quality of groundwater, and (e) provide a framework for development
and management of disposal sites for hazardous and toxic wastes.
Computer modeling
Computer programming and knowledge of mathematics play increasingly
important roles in geology. In
some instances they are essential in the transformation of instrumental
measurements in the laboratory and the field into usable information
about the Earth. In others, they are used to create numerical
models that seek to simulate geological processes, such as those active
in rivers and groundwaters, sediment dispersal and accumulation patterns,
and igneous and convective processes in the Earth's interior.
Environmental
Assessment
Assessments of critical environmental problems are based on many of
the other competencies described above, and lead geologists into considerations
of social, economic, and political factors.
The same is true for assessments of mineral resources and fossil
fuel abundance, which in all cases must be constructively and practically
related to economics and politics at local, national, and international
levels.
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