<p>I am very interested in environmental conservation and geology.</p>
<p>After doing some research about geology, I have come across the idea that geology is a very broad field and that it can include the study of ecosystems.</p>
<p>Are there any fields within geology that include earth sciences and biological conservation?</p>
<p>Environmental Geology. Probably the subfield that best fits your interest.</p>
<p>If you’re lucky enough to attend a college with the major, I think geography with a concentration in environmental/biological geography would be a much better fit than geology. Taking courses in GIS as either a geography or geology major will noticeably improve your job prospects. </p>
<p>That said, I have strong biological interests but switched from biology to geology in college because I found the former department too large and impersonal. It worked out pretty well, but my interests lie in oceanography, which is inherently interdisciplinary.</p>
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I don’t disagree with that, but I think it’s an awkward fit even so. Despite its name, environmental geology rarely deals with organisms and in fact is much closer to chemistry than biology. The focus is on water quality/control, soil/beach erosion, environmental hazards, etc.</p>
<p>There are a few tracks within geology programs, especially in “earth science” departments, that deal (indirectly) with organisms – limnology, microfossil and shell studies, environmental toxicology, paleontology, etc. Generally, however, the focus is more on the physical than biological aspects of the earth.</p>
<p>If you decide to go the geology route, I recommend taking basic courses in biology (ecology, conservation, genetics, microbio, and vert/invert zoology and/or physiology at the very least) and as much statistics as you can handle. Summer fieldwork (e.g. many places hire seasonal bird watchers) and internships at something like the Chicago Botanic Gardens or the NMNH will also improve your job prospects.</p>
<p>Have you considered environmental biology?</p>