I’m considering Geology or Earth Science as a major. I know the difference between Geology and Earth Science is that Geology focuses solely on just the earth while Earth Science is broader and includes Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography, and Geography. I am unsure which one is the right fit for me.
These are the classes within Geology and Earth Science programs I’m interested in:
Hydrology or HydroGeology
Petroleum Geology or Oil
Economic Geology
Oceanography
Volcanology
Seismology
Plate tectonics
Geomorphology
Energy and fossil fuels
Glacial Geology
Engineering Geology
Environmental Geology
Field Geology in the Rocky Mountains
Paleontology
GeoBiology
Weather forecasting
Severe storms
Clouds or cloud development
Astronomy or Planetary Geology
Physical Geography
These are the Pre-req/foundation classes
Calculus I
Calculus II
General Physics I(algebra based physics) or Mechanics (calculus based physics)
General Physics II(Algebra based Physics) or Electric and magnetic interactions(calculus based physics)
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry II
General Biology I and General Biology II(some but not all programs require these courses
Statistics
Computer Programming
English Composition
Speech or fundamentals of Public speaking
Humanities/social science
If you want to be a Geologist, and possible go on to grad school, I suggest you also make it a goal to graduate with a minor in Physics [and be sure to take some basic computer coding classes too] , as scientists these days need to have great computer skills AND understand the " why" - the Physics- behind what is observed in the physical world .
So work backwards from that goal, and figure out which geology electives you can fit into your schedule, , and when they can be taken, given those 2 criteria.
But you are GOING to HAVE to make choices as to the area you wish to concentrate in.
@menloparkmom even if a physics minor requires only calculus I and II but not multivariate Calculus, do you recommend Still taking multivariate Calculus? The Physics minor at the school I plan on transfering to only requires calculus I and II while the acutal major requires multivariate Calculus. The school doesn’t even require linear algebra or differential equations for the Physics major while I believe other schools do require one of or both courses for the physics degree. Would my In state schools be fine for Geology and Physics?
you should take the physics / math classes that rigorous schools with top notch Geology depts require.
i have no idea what your instate schools are. a physics major requiring no more than calc 1 seems pretty “whimpy” to me.
Petroleum Geology or Oil
Oceanography
Volcanology
Energy and fossil fuels
Engineering Geology
Environmental Geology
Paleontology
GeoBiology
Astronomy or Planetary Geology
@menloparkmom what field of Geology would be the most useful in the Midwest? I know Petroleum Geology is the most useful field of Geology but most of the place for that are out west or down south and I’m willing to relocate for work in the future but it seems sometimes companies like to hire local people.
@SuperGeo5999 normally I’m a planner and would applaud you for thinking ahead, but you’ve have had ONE semester of CC and that didn’t go so well, you got a D in intermediate Algebra remember? You need to focus on your basic math skills before thinking of anything else. I’m not saying you can’t reach for your dreams but you really need to stop putting the cart before the horse.
You will not be able to transfer into Purdue, Indiana, Ball state, or Valparaiso University with D’s in basic classes. Stop dreaming of “fun” classes until you have the basic skills you need to take them.
@3scoutsmom why are you always so rude, judge, and insult me about what I’ve said in previous posts? I have the right to post threads to get information. Your treating me like I’m five years old by telling me what I need to do. I know the prerequisites and grades I need to transfer to a four year college. From this point forward I do have a goal to do well when I retake the algebra class, all my future classes, and write an essay when I transfer explaining what happened my first semester. You told me that you thought I had a solid plan but now you wanna judge me again. I find people who judge disrespectful.
You do need to have a backup plan. A D in Algebra does not bode well for a STEM major. I think @3scoutsmom is just testing to give you realistic advice. We see a lot of students out here who can’t block & tackle, but build elaborate plans for the future that may not be realistic. So sometimes you will get suggestions that you neednto make sure you are taking care of the basics.
Your thread title struck me as odd – I was almost a geology major in college, but lots of the classes weren’t “fun”. You kind of have to try out intro classes in some of those fields to see what you think once you get to a school they offers them.
Yes @intparent I do need a back up plan. I had ammonia and a family member pass away this semester ( I know it sounds like I’m blaming that and having an excuse) but I wanna atleast have the opportunity to test how I do within the next year so I can decide if STEM Is the right path for me. I think the best back up plan if I couldn’t become successful in a Four year STEM degree is maybe do a two year STEM degree since they would require less math and then maybe later in life I could pursue a four year STEM degree as I hear people who aren’t successful at there starting points when young, try a different path, and then go back to the orginal plan In there 30s, 40s, and so on. Healthcare and trades are marketable but aren’t for me.
People this thread is about Geology, not about my grades. You need to stop brining things from other threads into other ones. I did not make this thread to be judged by previous threads but to get info from others about Geology, what they did enjoy or didn’t enjoy about Geology, and that’s it.
Sorry – you don’t get to decide whether others can go review your other posts for more info.
Regarding Geology as a major, I think of the types of jobs as things like working for oil companies, working for the US Geologic Survey, maybe working for a state government or park service, or teaching. I’m guessing there are some jobs in private industry related to mining or other industries that are impacted by geologic features or earthquake or volcanic explosion risk. An example might be a company that lays underwater cables in the ocean. I bet some natural science museums have at least a part time geologist on staff.
You can probably Google and find more info if you just look for geology as a career, and also Google for open jobs. Look at the jobs to see what degrees are required and the locations. I don’t think if the Midwest as a hotbed of geology jobs, but I’m sure there are some.
My favorite part of geology classes was lab, but I didn’t get very far into the class sequences before changing majors. I liked studying rock samples. My reason for changing majors was mostly about my abysmal performance in a weeder chem class and feeling like the remaining chem sequence (which included 2 semesters of organic at my university for a geology major) was insurmountable for me.
I don’t understand you at all. You come on a blog asking for advice and when you don’t like the advice you lash out at posters like @3scoutsmom? That is inappropriate. CC is set up so people can see old posts. Many frequent posters do this as it helps to gain a better understanding of the person asking the question and often allows for better and more complete advice to be given. If you don’t like that aspect of CC then perhaps you need to find another site to post on.
And for the record, I do agree that you need to focus on getting your core courses done and done well before thinking about what STEM majors are fun. The D in Algebra is a warning sign even with the difficulties you had during the semester – so hopefully you can turn things around academically. Most STEM majors I know have taken calculus in HS so you really do need to get up to speed with your math before you think ahead.
I probably would of token calculus or atleast pre-calculus in high school If I didn’t leave school sophomore year and the only come back to finish my senior year but sorry I just see judgement on grades or what people need to do just as bad as judging someone on there weight or looks. I didn’t even take math my senior year because I had a bad guidance counselor that assumed that just because I met my math requirements for the general diploma that I don’t need another math class because all they care about is money.
@happy1 it’s nothing I have against @3scoutsmom or anyone else I just tend to take things personally because I’m obviously too sensitive for this site right? I tend to have to know what’s fun to give modivation for the things that aren’t fun such as my English and public Speaking classes I have to take this fall. Math is fun because of the way it describes things. When I focus on my studies this fall do you recommend staying off this site to foucs? I can’t be worrying about what other people think about me, be on CC, or be on social media when I should be studying. I’ve made myself a bad identity on this site, do you guys hate me?
Btw, @happy1 I finally started doing what you and others on this board have recommend so many times and that is seeing a therapist. I hope I can make good progress with the therapist. I understand criticism is necessary to improve sometimes and that if we sugar coat things we don’t make progress on our goals.