What it's all about

Geologists study the matter that constitutes Earth. This involves fascinating and practical questions about Earth's composition and the processes that occur below and upon the earth's surface. These events and processes can include the formation of rocks, mountains and volcanoes, the shaping of the land by wind, water, gravity and ice, the formation of soils and caves, and the motion of groundwater.

Geology also includes looking at the impact humans have had on the planet. Geologists search for natural resources such as oil, gas or metals while discovering ways that humans can be a good steward of their planet.

You might take classes like:

• World Oceans
• Earthquakes and Natural Disasters
• Historical Geology
• Structural Geology
• Volcanology

Graduates of this major go on to:

• attend graduate school
• work in the petroleum industry
• begin fieldwork