The Major in Geology provides an academic and practical basis for diverse professional Earth science, environmental, and other careers. Career paths include private and public sector water, energy, mineral, and other natural resources, geologic hazards, environmental management, and education. The major provides a quantitative science and general education preparation for graduate studies, including hydrology, geophysics, environmental science, economic geology, resources management, public policy, and many other areas.
The curriculum encompasses a strong geosciences core, and includes integrating field studies in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and elsewhere with extensive on-campus classroom and laboratory studies. Students complete courses in mathematics, physical sciences, communications, and the liberal arts to develop effective quantitative, decision making, and communications skills. Four concentrations are offered to allow focus on specialized career interests: Geology, Environmental Geology, Geophysics, and Hydrogeology.
Learning Objectives
Students will demonstrate:
- A solid foundation in the physical sciences and broad understanding of geological processes.
- Application of field and classroom scientific reasoning skills to data analysis and problem solving in the geosciences, both individually and in teams.
- An awareness of sociopolitical, economic factors, and ethical practices and standards relevant to professional careers in geosciences.
Potential Occupations
Many opportunities exist for geology graduates in the private and public sectors across a wide range of societally important and satisfying careers. Environmental science and management, energy resources, water resources and management, construction services, mining, energy, computer software, insurance, and many other industries employ geoscientists. Private employers and federal, state, county, and municipal agencies employ geoscientists for resource mapping and assessment, renewable and other energy resources evaluation and development, resource and environmental water studies, leasing and conservation, restoration and rehabilitation, hazards assessment and mitigation, regulatory activities, national defense, communications, and basic and applied research. Schools, colleges, universities, National Laboratories, and private research firms employ geoscientists in a wide variety of positions. Many geosciences graduates pursue successful careers in consulting and other private business, law, medicine, public policy, administration, and other diverse professional fields. By obtaining teaching certification, graduates may become primary and secondary educators.
Participation in internships, volunteer activities, collaborative team-building activities, professional societies, education, and public outreach and engagement are highly encouraged and supported by the department via faculty, staff, and alumni mentoring to ensure student success, and to enhance training and career networking. Graduates who go on to pursue advanced degrees in Geology enjoy a strong disciplinary base for diverse areas of graduate study in environmental studies, energy, seismology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, geomorphology, and space sciences.