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 ΢ÃÜȦ'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—Global climate dynamics and climate change
Economic geologist—Explore for and develop metallic and nonmetallic resources; develop environmentally safe ways to dispose of waste materials from mining activities
Engineering geologist—Apply 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—Use 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—Use 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—Study Earth's landforms and landscapes in relation to the geologic and climatic processes
and human activities, which they form
Geophysicist—Apply the principles of physics to studies of the Earth's interior and investigate
Earth's magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields
Glacial geologist—Study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets
Hydrogeologist—Study the occurrence, movement, abundance, distribution, and quality of subsurface
waters and related geologic aspects of surface waters
Hydrologist—Concerned 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—Investigate the ocean-floor and ocean-continent boundaries; study ocean basins, continental
shelves, and the coastal environments
Meteorologist—Study the atmosphere and atmospheric phenomena, including weather
Mineralogist—Study mineral formation, composition, and properties
°¿³¦±ð²¹²Ô´Ç²µ°ù²¹±è³ó±ð°ù—Investigate the physical, chemical, biological, and geologic dynamics of oceans
Paleoecologist—Study the function and distribution of ancient organisms and their relationships
to their environment
Paleontologist—Study fossils to understand past life forms and their changes through time and to
reconstruct past environments
Petroleum geologist—Explore for and produce oil and natural gas resources
Petrologist—Determine the origin and natural history of rocks by analyzing mineral composition
and grain relationships
Planetary geologist—Study planets and their moons in order to understand the evolution of the solar system
Sedimentologist—Study the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments and use that
information to locate natural resources
Seismologist—Study earthquakes and analyze the behavior of earthquake waves to interpret the structure
of Earth
Soil scientist—Study soils and their properties to determine how to sustain agricultural productivity
and to detect and remediate contaminated soils
Stratigrapher—Investigate 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—Analyze Earth's forces by studying deformation, fracturing, and folding of the Earth's
crust
Volcanologist—Investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to understand these natural hazards
and predict eruptions
Science Writer—Writers focusing on science-related topics. Science writers could be anything from
journalists to information officers at private institutions.
Science illustrator—Works 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—Study soils, bedrock, groundwater, and the surrounding area to determine how to best
clean up pollutants.
Paleoclimatologist—Studies climatic conditions, and their causes and effects, in the geologic past,
using evidence found in glacial deposits, fossils, and sediments.
Public Health Scientist—Studies the effects of geoscience on matters related to public health, for example,
the impacts of water chemistry on heart disease risk.