An undergraduate in the Department of Geology and Geophysics will develop a major program in one of the Department's four majors: Geology, Geophysics, a combination of Geology and Geophysics, or Environmental Geosciences. Within the constraints discussed below, programs can be individually designed to meet the interests and objectives of each student. Students may wish to major or to have a concentration in the earth sciences for a variety of reasons including: (1) a desire to work professionally in one of the earth sciences, (2) a desire to obtain an earth science foundation preparatory for post-graduate work in environmental studies, resource management, environmental law, or similar fields where such a background would be useful, (3) a desire to teach earth science in secondary schools, or (4) a general interest in the earth sciences.
Geologists, geophysicists, and environmental scientists study the earth's complex systems and the interrelations among the solid earth, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the atmosphere. Students trained in the earth sciences can look forward to exciting and rewarding careers, as society will require ever larger amounts of energy and resources in the twenty-first century, and at the same time, will face increasing environmental problems and concerns. The Department provides students with the skills and varied background needed to address these problems. Earth scientists are naturally interdisciplinary and use science to solve real-world problems. Today's earth scientist can choose to work in the field in almost any area of the world, in ultra-modern laboratories equipped with the latest computing equipment, or commonly in some combination of these.
Whether exploring for petroleum thousands of feet below the surface of the ocean, using geophysics to better understand earthquakes for improved city or emergency planning, or working with governmental agencies or industry to analyze pollution, the earth sciences provide exciting possibilities for a rewarding career.