Geology is the study of Earth's materials, structures and processes and how they’ve changed through time. This knowledge may be applied to addressing problems associated with environmental contamination; investigating Earth’s history to understand the evolution of life and global climate change; understanding natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; and exploration for natural resources, including metals, petroleum and water. Geologists are employed by environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, natural resource companies 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. Degree program can be tailored to a major field of interest by taking additional courses in the supporting sciences, mathematics and engineering fields. Geology 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. Field trips throughout Ohio and to locations such as the Bahamas, Rocky Mountains, and Adirondacks expose students to a wide range of geology. Geology and environmental science students gain the skills necessary to compete in the workforce or continue in a graduate program. Students are provided opportunities through research-orientated courses, paid laboratory assistantships and summer internships to gain practical professional experience.
Career Path
Graduate career path Geologist (General Practice), Exploration Geologist (Mining, Oil & Gas), Petroleum Geologist, Environmental Geologist, Hydrogeologist (Groundwater Studies), Mining Geologist, Structural Geologist, Engineering Geologist (Construction, Infrastructure Projects), Geotechnical Specialist, Remote Sensing & GIS Specialist (Geological Applications), Seismologist (Earthquake Studies), Environmental Consultant (Soil, Water, Pollution Studies), Volcanologist, Paleontologist (Fossils & Ancient Life), Natural Hazard Analyst (Earthquakes, Landslides, Floods), Stratigrapher (Rock Layers & Dating), Sedimentologist, Geomorphologist (Landform Studies), Geophysicist (Earth’s Physical Properties), Climate Change Analyst (Geological Perspective), Planetary Geologist.
