Geology

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Geology

Geologists study the origin, history, composition, and structure of the earth, both for scientific knowledge and for practical purposes such as locating oil, minerals, and other raw materials; and for compiling architectural safety reports, maps, and diagrams. They use knowledge of chemistry, physics, math, and biology, to analyze the data and specimens. Some possible career choices are found in the environmental consulting industry, pollution remediation, public policy and environmental law. Career titles include meteorologist, oceanographer, seismologist, soil scientist, structural geologist and teacher.

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Programs Offered

Transfer Preparation
See also Science: General Science
Career Opportunities

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Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

Career Opportunities

Over 80% of data used for decision-making in government, business, and industry has a spatial component (i.e. geospatial data). New areas of rapid growth are in criminal justice, homeland security, marketing, retail site location, resource allocation, banking, healthcare, planning, disease control, insurance, real estate, and disaster preparedness, management, and response. Most local, state, and federal government agencies use geospatial technologies and maintain a staff of GIS technicians, geospatial analysts, and GIS professionals. Geospatial technologies are also commonly used in the private sector by businesses, planners, architects, foresters, geologists, environmental scientists, archaeologists, real estate professionals, marketers, sociologists, and bankers. The expansion of jobs using geospatial technologies is anticipated to continue for many years to come.