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Geologists

Education and Training Requirements

High School

Because you will need a college degree in order to find work in this profession, you should take a college preparatory curriculum while in high school. Such a curriculum will include computer science, history, English, and geography classes. Science classes are also important, particularly earth science, chemistry, and physics. Math classes should include algebra, trigonometry, and statistics.

Postsecondary Training

A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry into lower-level geology jobs, but a master's degree is usually necessary for beginning positions in research, teaching, and exploration. A person with a strong background in physics, chemistry, mathematics, or computer science may also qualify for some geology jobs. For those wishing to make significant advancements in research and for teaching at the college level, a doctoral degree is required. Those interested in the geological profession should have an aptitude not only for geology but also for physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

A number of colleges, universities, and technical institutes offer degrees in geology. Programs in geophysical technology, geophysical engineering, geophysical prospecting, and engineering geology also offer related training for beginning geologists.

Traditional geoscience courses emphasize classical geologic methods and concepts. Mineralogy, paleontology, stratigraphy, and structural geology are important courses for undergraduates. Students also complete an internship or co-op at a geological services firm or a government agency such as the U.S. Geological Survey. Those interested in environmental and regulatory fields should take courses in hydrology, hazardous waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic logging.

In addition, students should take courses in related sciences, mathematics, English composition, and computer science. Students seeking graduate degrees in geology should concentrate on advanced courses in geology, placing major emphasis on their particular fields.

Other Education or Training

The Geological Society of America offers short courses, training workshops, field trips, seminars, internships, and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Sessions at its annual meeting have included Innovations in Geological Mapping, New Voices in Geobiology, and Earth Surface Processes in Tectonically Active and Unstable Regions. The American Geophysical Union, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Association for Women Geoscientists, Association of American State Geologists, Society for Sedimentary Geology, and the Society of Economic Geologists also provide CE opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.

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