Program Overview
The Geology Major at this institution provides a comprehensive foundation in geosciences, integrating field studies with classroom and laboratory work. It offers four concentrations and emphasizes quantitative, decision-making, and communication skills. Graduates pursue careers in environmental management, energy resources, water resource management, and other fields in both the private and public sectors. Participation in internships and professional societies enhances training and career opportunities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Major in Geology provides a strong foundation in geosciences within a liberal education framework. It emphasizes integrating field studies in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and elsewhere with classroom and laboratory work. Students gain a thorough knowledge of geosciences and complete courses in mathematics, physical sciences, communications, and the liberal arts to develop quantitative, decision-making, and communication skills. The program offers four concentrations: Geology, Environmental Geology, Geophysics, and Hydrogeology.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate:
- A solid foundation in the physical sciences and a 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.
Careers:
Many opportunities exist for geology graduates in the private and public sectors within a wide range of careers. These include:
- Environmental management: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Energy resources: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Water resource and management: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Construction services: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Mining: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Power generation: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
- Computer software: Exploration, development, production, communications, building, management, and research.
Federal and state agencies:
- Resource mapping and assessment
- Oil-gas-coal-groundwater-geothermal resource evaluation and development
- Resource and environmental water studies
- Leasing and conservation
- Resource restoration and rehabilitation
- Hazards assessment and mitigation
- Regulatory activities
- National defense
- Basic and applied research
State and local governments:
- Geologic and soils mapping and resource management
- Natural resources
- Hazards evaluation and mitigation
- Consulting
- Management
- Communications
Environmental, engineering, and water resources firms:
- Mapping
- Restoration and rehabilitation planning
- Monitoring and evaluation of geologic and built environment hazards
- Site feasibility evaluation and implementation of construction projects
- Water management and reuse evaluation
- Groundwater pollution assessment and remediation
- Contaminant prevention and treatment
Schools, colleges, universities, national laboratories, and private research firms:
- Teaching
- Research
- Administrative positions
Other:
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 enhance training and career opportunities. Graduates who go on to pursue advanced degrees acquire a strong disciplinary base for diverse areas of graduate study, including environmental studies, energy, seismology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, and the space sciences. Geoscientists with advanced degrees can often more effectively attain management-level and research positions.
