Geology Degree Program Pennsylvania

Prepare for a career as a geologist in energy, resource and environmental sectors

A Geology degree at California University of Pennsylvania is a wide-ranging, exciting field of study that is much more than the traditional study of rocks and minerals. Undergraduates who pursue a Bachelor of Science in Geology quickly discover that geologists provide problem-solving and pragmatic approaches to address the complex challenges of energy, resource and environmental issues.

The geology degree program provides opportunities to learn geological principles and historical perspectives, become familiar with methods of geological research, acquire lab and field experience, and obtain analytical skills necessary to work independently or as part of a team. Students are prepared for careers working at geological field sites related to resource extraction or environmental remediation, or in geological and engineering laboratories and businesses. While part-time students may take longer, full-time students should expect to complete the program in four years.

Gain a career advantage with Cal U's emphasis on hands-on experience.

Geologists are critical to the identification, mapping and extraction of both energy and mineral resources. Geologist work in a variety of environmental roles, including regulatory and research agencies, and private consulting firms. They are also integral to developing remediation strategies for impacted lands and water, as well as land development for new construction.

The goal of the geology program at Cal U is to develop conscientious, analytical and professional geologists who are ready for entry-level positions in environmental, energy or engineering fields or for admission into a graduate program in geology. Students take classes from a broad range of sub-disciplines in order to prepare for professional licensure and a diversity of potential career paths.

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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: GEOLOGY

Learning in the field: Cal U's geology degree curriculum focuses on the Earth and its development, as well as how humans interact with our environment. To complement classroom experience, students participate in field trips and field courses. Faculty members conduct one- to three-week excursion-based courses that have taken students to such diverse sites as the Great Smoky Mountains, the Outer Banks, the Adirondack Mountains and the coast of New England, as well as distant locations such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks, and the Cascade Range. Geology students also travel with professors to research institutions, conferences and governmental agency headquarters.

Professional development: The Bachelor of Science in Geology program has a distinct focus on professional development and an emphasis on learning foundational skills throughout the curriculum. Cal U is the only program in the region that offers the Professional Development for Geologists course, a dedicated professional development course specific to the geologic disciplines and career paths. The program uses a strategy of student development and progress-checking that continues to assess student growth in technical writing, critical reading and quantitative skills. This strategy, based on input from industry professionals, alumni and hiring managers, has identified common strengths and weaknesses in recent graduates from across our region. Through this comprehensive approach, Cal U geology students have been successful in developing strong resumes and demonstrating desired skills necessary for a lifetime of career growth.

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19:1

Student-to-faculty ratio at Cal U.

120

Credit hours for the bachelor's degree in geology, which can be completed in eight semesters or four years.

Degree Benefits

The geology degree curriculum is uniquely designed to prepare students for the workforce with a bachelor's degree. The course schedule prepares students for potential licensure in Pennsylvania and most other U.S. states. In addition to the traditional coursework and close working relationships with faculty advisers, Cal U geology students can choose from a variety of research paths. Independent or small-group research is done under faculty supervision, with faculty serving as research advisers and offering editorial support. Past students have completed projects on a wide variety of topics, including soil permeability and adsorption, structural orientation of joints in a local sandstone, stratigraphic correlation of incised channels, abandoned mine impacts to streams, and precipitation influence on shallow groundwater. Students also may enhance their degree with a minor that tailors coursework to their chosen career. The geology program includes minors in hydrology and environmental geosciences; geology students also have chosen to minor in GIS, mathematics or chemistry.

Graduate Outcomes

The job outlook for geologists and environmental geoscientists is positive, with the American Geoscientists Institute projecting a growth rate of about 14% for geoscience-related employment through 2022. There is a projected shortage of geoscientists as those in the Baby Boom generation move into retirement along with the large wave of geologists who entered the workforce in response to the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early '80s. Some employers of recent Cal U graduates include Moody's and Associates Inc., GAI Consultants Inc., MarkWest Energy, and ARM Group Inc. Starting positions for graduates typically include geologist, environmental field technician, geology technician, project specialist and environmental specialist. Over the last 10 years, Cal U geology graduates have gone on to graduate schools across the country, including West Virginia University, Idaho State University, University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, University of Akron, Kent University, University of Houston and University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

Curriculum and Related Programs

The geology program offers a greater understanding of the Earth and its development and human interactions with our environment. We boast a distinctive focus on dedicated professional development specific to geologic disciplines and career paths.

Curriculum - Bachelor's Degree

Course	Credits
Freshman Year
First Semester	14
EAS 150 Introduction to Geology	4
ENG 101 English Composition I	3
UNI 100 First-Year Seminar	1
General Education Courses	6

Second Semester	16
EAS 200 Historical Geology	4
EAS Elective	3
ENG 102 English Composition II	3
General Education Courses	6

Sophomore Year
Third Semester	16
CHE 101 Chemistry I	4
EAS 230 Earth Resources	3
GIS 311 Geographic Information Systems	3
MAT 281 Calculus I	3
General Education Course	3

Fourth Semester	16
CHE 102 Chemistry II	4
EAS 303 Hydrology	3
EAS 343 Geomorphology	3
MAT 282 Calculus II	3
General Education Course	3

Junior Year
Fifth Semester	15
EAS 301 Professional Development for Geologists	1
EAS 331 Mineralogy	4
EAS Elective	3
MAT 215 Statistics	3
PHY 121 General Physics I OR PHY 101 College Physics I	4

Sixth Semester	14
EAS 332 Petrology	4
EAS Related Elective	3
PHY 122 General Physics II OR PHY 102 College Physics II	4
General Education Course	3

Senior Year
Seventh Semester	16
EAS 423 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy	4
EAS 437 Field Methods in Geology	3
EAS Elective	3
General Education Course	6

Eighth Semester	13
EAS 425 Structural Geology	4
EAS Electives	6
General Education Course	3
Total	120

Recommended Free Electives (24 to 25 credits)

EAS 210 Intro to Soils (3 credits)
EAS 250 Volcanology (3 credits)
EAS 290 Planetary Geology (3 credits)
EAS 333 Geochemistry (3 credits)
EAS 355 Geophysics (3 credits)
EAS 402 Groundwater Hydrology (3 credits)
EAS 427 Tectonics (3 credits)
EAS 429 Petroleum Geology (3 credits)
EAS 438 Computer Apps. in EAS (3 credits)
EAS 441 Advanced Env Geology (3 credits)
EAS 448 Watershed Evaluation (3 credits)
GIS 350 Remote Sensing of Env (3 credits)
GIS 413 Env Applications in GIS (3 credits)
GEO 479 Internship (variable)
Other Adviser-approved courses

Additional Requirements

(Not counted toward the General Education requirements.)

Special Experience Course (select one): EAS 391, EAS 392, EAS 393, EAS 492 or GEO 479
Upper-Division Writing Component Course (select two): EAS 427, EAS 438, EAS 441 or EAS 448
Laboratory Course (select one): EAS 150

Curriculum - Minor

Course	Credits
Required Courses	11
EAS 150 Introduction to Geology	4
EAS 200 Historical Geology	4

Select only one of the following:
EAS 210 Introduction to Soils	3
EAS 230 Earth Resources	3
EAS 303 Hydrology	3

Electives	12
Select two or three from the following:
EAS 331 Mineralogy	3
EAS 332 Petrology	3
EAS 333 Geochemistry	3
EAS 343 Geomorphology	3
EAS 423 Sedimentology/Stratigraphy	3
EAS 425 Structural Geology	3
EAS 427 Tectonics	3

Select one or two from the following:
EAS 402 Groundwater Hydrology	3
EAS 437 Geological Field Methods	3
ENS 438 Computer Applications in EAS	3
ENS 441 Adv. Environmental Geology	3
ENS 448 Watershed Evaluation	3
Any Geological Field Course from: EAS 391, 392, 393, 492 or 496	3

Total	23

Related Programs

Bachelor's

Minor

Thomas Mueller teaches a geography class.

Top Facilities

Cal U's geology program offers several lab spaces to ensure active learning environments for our students. A large collection of rocks, minerals and fossils is available for students to study. The computer lab has multiple suites of important geology-specific software, unique to our level of institution. Students get experience with computational modeling, data analysis and three-dimensional visual software that many geologists don't see until their first job. The rock preparation lab allows students to cut and shape rocks and prepare them for optical analyses in the optical mineralogy/geochemistry lab. The wet lab facility has numerous meters for water-quality testing and two research-grade flow meters for measuring streams in the area for classes and research. The SAI Farm facility at Cal U is also important to the geology program. In addition to the natural setting and local streams bisecting the property, the Pittsburgh Geological Society has drilled nine ground water wells on the property. These wells are available for class visits and have also provided an opportunity for student research.

Summer Courses

A significant highlight of the program is the opportunity for summer geology field courses. Each year, faculty and students travel to distant parts of the country to conduct regional surveys of the geology that makes that area unique. Students do hands-on activities, especially involving geologic mapping, to get a sense of how landscapes, geologic structure and climate are interdependent. Past students often reflect on how much these trips have contributed to shaping their future careers.

Students pose on geology rock formation.

Vital Resources

The Geology Club is an active student organization that sponsors numerous activities for majors and non-majors. The club offers two or three field trips per year to such places as Shenandoah National Park and Niagara Falls, as well as trips closer to home. The club sponsors student travel to conferences, including the national meetings of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America. The club also offers several social outings throughout the year, including movie nights, the annual trivia night, a bi-annual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup and barbecue, hiking trips and trips to Pittsburgh for rock climbing, arcades and theaters. The geology program is well-integrated into the Pittsburgh Geological Society, cultivating networking and career connection opportunities through their membership. Cal U also has active chapters of the Association for Environmental and Engineering Geologists and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.