The university of Akron Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Environmental Science - Earth science is the study earth materials, structures and processes and how they’ve changed through time. This knowledge may be applied to exploration for natural resources including metals, petroleum and water; understanding natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; addressing problems associated with environmental contamination; and investigating Earth’s history to understand the evolution of life and global climate change. Earth scientists are employed by natural resource companies, environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities. Core courses provide the fundamentals in: physical and historical geology, mineralogy and petrography, sedimentology, paleontology and stratigraphy, and structural geology and plate tectonics. Earth science students apply state-of-art field and laboratory techniques to study geologic and environmental issues in Ohio and around the world. Students use modern equipment in the field for computer mapping, and in the laboratory for studying the chemical, mineralogical, magnetic, biologic, and physical properties of rock, sediment and water samples. Many courses have a component that involves a practical problem that is examined using field and laboratory methods. Individual student research projects allow students to explore topics of interest in great depth, and with the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Career Path
Graduate career path includes Environmental Scientist, Geologist (Applied/Environmental), Environmental Consultant, Hydrologist (Water Resources), Soil Scientist, Climate Change Analyst, GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist (Earth Applications), Natural Resource Manager, Hazard & Risk Analyst (Earthquakes, Floods, Landslides), Urban Planning & Environmental Development Assistant, Forest & Land Use Planner, Marine & Coastal Resource Manager, Renewable Energy Analyst (Geothermal, Wind, Solar), Environmental Impact Assessment Officer, Mining & Resource Extraction Analyst (Sustainable Practices), Environmental Health & Safety Officer, Community Development & Environmental Projects Officer, Research Assistant (Earth Science/Environmental Studies).
