Geology, B.S. prepares students for employment in geo-hazard reduction and resource exploration, protection, or exploitation. Geologists participate in finding, conserving, and/or responsibly acquiring critical resources such as surface- and ground- water, petroleum, lithium, gold, stone, and much more. Geologists are trained to understand, plan for, forecast, and mitigate the effects of disastrous events like floods, landslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions as well as reconstruct earth history using things like fossils or radioactive isotopes. Every student has an opportunity to complete a research project or internship before they graduate. The department's close relationship with state agencies and the private sector enables many students to pursue internships or part-time employment in environmental work while they complete their degrees. This degree satisfies the education requirement for the California Professional Geologist (PG) license. Most of our geology graduates work in surface- and ground- water protection and supply management.
The Earth and Environmental Sciences are interdisciplinary, integrating principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics, as well as quantitative and critical thinking skills, to address geological and environmental challenges. Our close-knit department gives students the chance to get to know each other and faculty personally. Every student has the opportunity to conduct research or complete an internship before they graduate. Our program emphasizes field and laboratory investigations of the environment and its geological context and history. Over 18 courses include field trips where we take advantage of the university's proximity to the Sierra Nevadas, the California Coast Ranges, coastal California, and the desert provinces. Our unique location gives faculty and students access to an unparalleled outdoor laboratory, all within short trips from the university.
