Why Geoscience?
"The job outlook for geoscience students remains excellent. Too many jobs and not enough people to fill them!"
Geoscience is the study of planet Earth and other planets, their materials, the processes that act upon them, and the history of these planets and life forms since their origin. As such, geoscientists serve and provide for the material needs of humanity where natural resources are concerned at all scales ranging from local to global. Although geoscientists generally function below society's radar, we are involved in every aspect of industry, agriculture, water and energy supply, land-use planning, and environmental quality. In 1993, the National Science Council report concluded that "Understanding the Earth has become essential to human existence." Thus, the study of geosciences is vital to the education of students who, according to 小福利导航's objective, "are prepared to function effectively in the complex and increasingly diverse world of the 21st Century, and who understand and embrace the responsibilities of living as informed, responsible citizens."
Job Sectors in the Geosciences
- Government
- Academia
- Industry
- Nonprofit organizations
Careers in the Geosciences
Atmospheric scientist鈥擥lobal climate dynamics and climate change
Economic geologist鈥擡xplore for and develop metallic and nonmetallic resources; develop environmentally safe ways to dispose of waste materials from mining activities
Engineering geologist鈥擜pply geological data, techniques, and principles to the study of rock and soil surficial
materials and ground water; investigate geologic factors that affect structures such
as bridges, buildings, airports, and dams
Geochemist鈥擴se physical and inorganic chemistry to investigate the nature and distribution of
major and trace elements in ground water and Earth materials; Use organic chemistry
to study the composition of fossil fuel deposits
Geochronologist鈥擴se the rates of decay of certain radioactive elements in rocks to determine their
age and the time sequence of events in the history of Earth
Geomorphologist鈥擲tudy Earth's landforms and landscapes in relation to the geologic and climatic processes
and human activities, which they form
Geophysicist鈥擜pply the principles of physics to studies of the Earth's interior and investigate
Earth's magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields
Glacial geologist鈥擲tudy the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets
Hydrogeologist鈥擲tudy the occurrence, movement, abundance, distribution, and quality of subsurface
waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters
Hydrologist鈥擟oncerned with water from the movement of precipitation until it evaporates into
the atmosphere or is discharged into the ocean; study river systems and the impact
of flooding
Marine geologist鈥擨nvestigate the ocean-floor and ocean-continent boundaries; study ocean basins, continental
shelves, and the coastal environments
Meteorologist鈥擲tudy the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena, including weather
Mineralogist鈥擲tudy mineral formation, composition, and properties
翱肠别补苍辞驳谤补辫丑别谤鈥�Investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and geologic dynamics of oceans
Paleoecologist鈥擲tudy the function and distribution of ancient organisms and their relationships
to their environment
Paleontologist鈥擲tudy fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to
reconstruct past environments
Petroleum geologist鈥擡xplore for and produce oil and natural gas resources
Petrologist鈥擠etermine the origin and natural history of rocks by analyzing mineral composition
and grain relationships
Planetary geologist鈥擲tudy planets and their moons in order to understand the evolution of the solar system
Sedimentologist鈥擲tudy the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments and use that
information to locate natural resources
Seismologist鈥擲tudy earthquakes and analyze the behavior of earthquake waves to interpret the structure
of Earth
Soil scientist鈥擲tudy soils and their properties to determine how to sustain agricultural productivity
and to detect and remediate contaminated soils
Stratigrapher鈥擨nvestigate the time and space relationships of rocks on a local, regional, and global
scale throughout geologic time, especially the fossil and mineral content of layered
rocks
Structural geologist鈥擜nalyze Earth's forces by studying deformation, fracturing, and folding of the Earth's
crust
Volcanologist鈥擨nvestigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to understand these natural hazards
and predict eruptions
Science Writer鈥擶riters focusing on science-related topics. Science writers could be anything from
journalists to information officers at private institutions.
Science illustrator鈥擶orks illustrating texts in science-related topics. Science illustrators may work
with a wide range of employers, from publishing companies to universities or research
facilities.
Environmental Geologist鈥擲tudy soils, bedrock, groundwater, and the surrounding area to determine how to best
clean up pollutants.
Paleoclimatologist鈥擲tudies climatic conditions, and their causes and effects, in the geologic past,
using evidence found in glacial deposits, fossils, and sediments.
Public Health Scientist鈥�Studies the effects of geoscience on matters related to public health, for example,
the impacts of water chemistry on heart disease risk.