| |
|
Is
geology fun and interesting to you? If so, a career in the Earth
Sciences might be perfect for your future. Cal State LA offers two
different programs to enable you to develop a career in the
geological sciences. The degree in
Natural Science with a
specialization in Geoscience will prepare you for a teaching
career. In contrast, the B.S. degree in
Geological Science will
prepare you for employment as a professional geologist.
|
The United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report projects a
world population of 9 billion by 2050. This huge population will
present a difficult challenge for Earth's natural resources.
Geologists will play a large role in meeting this challenge. |
| TOP |
-
This photo was taken on
a geology field trip to the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.
|
Geologists
typically enjoy the outdoors and are curious about the origin of
things. They enjoy travel and the beautiful scenery of western
North America. They are fascinated with natural processes whether
they are geological disasters or the forces that create the
landscape of California? If these things appeal to you, a career in
the geological sciences either as a teacher or a professional
geologist would be rewarding.
|
| |
|
Earth science plays an important role in modern society.
Geologists investigate the character and origin of the Earth, its
surface features and internal structure. They use this knowledge to
reduce the dangers of earthquakes, landslides, floods, and
volcanoes. Geologists apply their knowledge to the discovery of
energy and mineral resources that are fundamental to our life.
Geologists also teach at all educational levels. Geologists in all
areas work actively with other people to achieve their goals.
|
This geologist is measuring the length of a dinosaur's stride.
But why are the rock layers not horizontal? Originally they
were. The dinosaur walked over horizontal layers of sand with
abundant ripple marks. The forces of plate tectonics have moved
these layers to the vertical position. |
| |
-
 -
Introductory geology
students examining the boundary between ancient granites and much
younger mudflow deposits in the San Gabriel Mountains.
|
A teaching career is a good possibility if you enjoy working with
young people. There is a great demand for people trained to teach
science. Many Cal State LA alumni are in the classroom teaching
geoscience. A Natural Science degree will open this career path for
you. You may also enter a teaching career with the BS in
Geological Science but you will be required to complete additional
biology courses.
|
| TOP |
|
Geoscience is taught in high schools throughout California. Many
schools are using teachers with little or no training in geology.
Most are eager to hire teachers with appropriate science training.
Geological science is also taught in community colleges and
universities, but a masters degree is the minimum requirement for
these positions. |
Hot lava from Hawaii is just one of the many topics that Geoscience
teachers have to spark the interest of their students. |
| TOP |
-
Photos such of this one of Indonesia's volcano Merapi and its
surrounding urban development are available on the Internet and
through JPL. They make Geoscience teaching much more
exciting for both instructors and students.
|
Teacher salaries depend on training and experience. In addition,
bilingual teachers may receive significantly higher incomes. The
best thing for you is to check LA Unified School District salaries
at their website.
|
|
|
Perhaps you would like to be a professional geologist devoted to
reducing the hazards created by earthquakes, landslides, and
floods. Or, you may be interested in finding the water, mineral, and
energy resources needed by modern society. If so, a B.S. degree in
Geological Sciences will provide a very rewarding future.
|
This student, on a weekend mapping project in Joshua Tree National
Park, California, is now employed as a hydrogeologist. |
| TOP |
-
The Castaic Dam is at
the southern end of the California Aqueduct. Geologists were
heavily involved in site selection, design, and construction of
this dam. Their involvement continues as the dam is
monitored and inspected for safety as required by the State of California.
|
Over
500 firms in southern California hire geologists in the fields of
environmental geology, engineering geology, hydrogeology, petroleum
geology and numerous other branches of geology, oceanography,
geophysics, and geochemistry. City and county agencies such as the
L.A. County Department of Public Works and the Sanitation Districts
hire geologists to deal with the problems of flood control and waste
disposal. Geologists inspect dam sites for the State Division of
Safety of Dams. They conduct a wide variety of geological research
at universities, the California Geological Survey, and the
United
States Geological Survey.
|
| |
|
Salaries
for geologists vary depending on level of training, experience, and
extent of professional registration and certification. Salaries
will be different for petroleum geologists, engineering geologists,
and hydrogeologists. Incomes also vary depending on whether you are
self-employed, work for a government agency, a consulting firm, or
major company. Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics to learn more
about the careers of geologists and environmental scientists and the
rewards they earn. |
Geology students receiving on-site training in engineering geology.
A trench is about to be dug to determine whether or not this is a
landslide area. |
| |
-
Geologists map areas of weak and dangerous soil that will perform
poorly during earthquakes. They work in numerous other ways
to prevent damage like this from the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.
|
Contact us to begin a career as a geoscience teacher or geologist.
The Department of Geological Sciences at Cal State L. A. offers
a B. S. in Natural Science for future teachers and a B.S. and M. S.
in Geological Science for the training of professional geologists.
Masters students generally focus on a specialization such as
hydrogeology or environmental geology. Cal State LA has over 500
alumni working for geoscience employers across the nation.
|
| TOP |
|
How
to learn about careers in
the
Earth Sciences?
1. Take a
General Education course in geology.
2. Meet a
faculty
member. Just call or email.
3. Join the
Geology
Club.
4. Read a book related to
geology.
5. Check out the
department
career guidance page. |
Notice the severe cracks and the sudden end of the road. This is
caused by a landslide that city and county grading codes are supposed
to prevent. Geologists are involved in both prevention and
correction of landslides. |
| |
-
There actually are people who make a living studying
volcanoes such as Glacier Peak in Washington State. You
could be one of them. Join the fun and become a Geology or
Natural Science major.
|
Web Links to Help Explore the
Earth Sciences
American
Association of Petroleum Geologists
California
Geological Survey
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Los Angeles
Unified School District
Southern California Earthquake
Center
U. S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics
United States Geological Survey
|
| |
Interested? Want to talk about a career in the geological sciences?
Contact:
Dr.Pedro Ramirez, Undergraduate
Advisor
Dr. Kim Bishop, Department Chair,
Undergraduate and Graduate Advisor
Dr. Barry Hibbs,
Graduate Advisor for Hydrogeology &
Environmental Science
|
| TOP |
|
Geology and
Natural Science
Photo Gallery |
| |
-
-
The glaciers on Switzerland's Jungfrau are typical of
those around the world - they are melting. Fresh
water is lost as meltwater flows to the ocean .
|
Lake Crowley, shown here frozen in the winter, is part of the
Owens Valley Aqueduct. This was the first aqueduct built
to meet the thirst of Los Angeles. The protection and
utilization of surface and groundwater is the field of
hydrogeology, a specialty at Cal State LA.
|
|
| |
-
-
Southern California Edison and numerous government
agencies employ geologists to make sure that the locations
of power plants such as San Onofre are safe.
|
This dam, owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and
Power, nearly collapsed in the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake.
The California Division of Safety of Dams and a geologist
played an important role in enabling this dam to survive the
earthquake. The DWP has replaced this dam with a much
safer structure. |
|
| |
-
-
Geologists would like to find and map every active fault
in the State of California. Unfortunately, not all
faults are as easy to locate as this one. The Sierra
Nevada fault raised the mountains 23 feet during the March
27, 1872 earthquake.
|
The fault that produced the 1994 Northridge earthquake is
buried beneath the surface and could not be mapped by
geologists. Hidden faults make it especially important
for geologists to map areas where earthquake shaking is
expected to be more severe. These areas require special
engineering designs if freeways and large structures are to
endure severe shaking.
|
|
| |
-
 -
Cal State LA student sampling hot lava on a field trip to Hawaii.
|
It doesn't really matter if you
are mapping new lava flows in Hawaii or searching for oil in Texas,
geology is just plain fun. Geology is fun to teach and it is
fun to practice. Geoscientists in southern California form an
important community that provides valuable services for the public
while achieving great career satisfaction.
|
| |
- Contact us for more information about careers in
Geology and Natural Science.
- Geology Office Physical Sciences
Room 216
Telephone (323) 343-2400
- Geology Home
|
| TOP |
