<p>So I am currently taking a summer course for Intro Physical Geology. This is my only lacking prerequisite to transfer into the Geology and Geophysics department at my university since I have already taken care of the first two courses of the Calculus Sequence and both intro Physics courses (mechanics/E&M). I am certain that I want to change from Engineering into the Geosciences, but I have just a few questions regarding this change:</p>
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<li><p>Geology vs Geophysics: As I look at the curriculum for each, there are obvious differences between the two with Geophysics being heavy in math with an included math minor whereas Geology seems to be more broad overview with some classes that definitely look intriguing. My biggest question is how these majors differ as far as the end result. What kind of work will a geologist do as opposed to a geophysicist? It seems to me that they can get involved in very similar general areas of work, but from a different perspective. Am I right in this assumption? Also, are there certain classes that say a geophysicist might benefit from that are only usually present in a geology major curriculum?</p></li>
<li><p>Foreign Language: I am very interested in learning a foreign language, but I really do not see an obvious choice as to which language would be most beneficial to learn. I really only have a few options in this regard: Spanish (some experience but would have to refresh), French, German, Russian, or Italian</p></li>
<li><p>(Very Specific) My plan is to get at least a Master's or maybe a phd if I find research to be my cup of tea, but there are really two areas that initially catch my eye. Volcanology has always been something I have thought about ever since I saw my first volcano. I have read books about them, I keep up with recent news, and I really find them fascinating. However, this seems like a very select field. My biggest question is this: Is there hope to become a Volcanologist or is this a truly rare breed? Would tailoring my undergraduate towards seismology be a better option overall?</p></li>
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<p>Any help is appreciated. I generally hope that this thread can generate some good conversation about the geosciences since they are not as often talked about on this site it seems.</p>
<p>bump would also like to hear some insight on the topic.</p>
<p>My son is a Geology major at California State University Sacramento and has just finished his sophomore year. Employment prospects for geologists are said to be good and supposedly outstanding for geophysicists, particular in oil exploration. In the Sacramento area the emphasis is more on the Physics of Hydrogeology since we are so vulnerable to both major draoughts and catastrophic flooding. He will probably look for employment in this area when he graduates since Sac State is well known for Geology in this region but is not a school that the oil companies are likely to recruit from.</p>
<p>Many people have the impression that Geology is an easy major but while this might have been true in the past it is not the case anymore. My son has to take essentially all the same lower division prerequisites as Physics and Engineering majors. So far he has completed Calculus I, Calculus II and Calculus III and the first of three semesters of Calculus based Physics. He will be taking the second semester of Physics and Differential Equations as well as Geology courses next semester. He also has to take two semesters of General Chemistry. These are the minimum requirements for admission to the MS program in Geology at Sac State. Before he graduates he plans to take Linear Algebra and enough upper division Physics courses to get a minor in Physics. The more Math and Physics courses you have, along with highly quantitative courses such as Geophysics offered by the Geology Department, the better your prospects for employment will be. </p>
<p>While it is possible to get a job with just a BS in Geology, more and more employers, particularly the oil companies, prefer to hire graduates of Masters programs in Geology for entry level positions. I think Federal, state and local agencies that also hire geologists are moving in this direction as well. Geology consulting firms also appear to offer entry level positions to new graduates with BS degrees in Geology or Environmental services.</p>
<p>Geophysics is a great major for your career:</p>
<p>Here is a link in the geophysics forum:
[Introduction</a> to Geophysics Careers • Geophysics Forum](<a href=“Geophysics Forum - Index page”>Geophysics Forum - Index page)</p>
<p>Currently a grad student in geology. My initial thought here is that you should take more than just intro to decide which field will be your cup of tea. Geophysics is heavily computationally based, as others have mentioned, but so are physical sedimentology, climate science, hydrology, geochemistry, and many others that fall within the geology field. The curricula overlap heavily, especially in undergrad (whether it looks that way in the course catalog or not), so take some of each to figure out which flavor you like best.</p>
<p>Most job prospects for geophysicists are in the oil and gas industry. Depending on which branch of geology you end up in, jobs can be found in various forms of extraction (oil, mining, etc.), government agencies, or academia. A field like volcanology will primarily lead to academic positions (university professor) or research positions (university or government agencies). It’s not unheard of by any means, but these are generally more difficult jobs to land. Seismology will depend on which direction you go - shallow earth means lots of oil jobs, deep crust and mantle processes have job prospects more similar to volcanology. However, any way you choose more or less requires at least some graduate work - there are some environmental consulting firms that take geo grads with just a B.S. or B.A., along with a smattering of government jobs, but the vast majority require at least an M.S. Plan on a Ph.D. (and possibly a postdoc or two) if you are thinking the academic route.</p>
<p>That being said, as a geologist I love what I do, and I know many happy former engineers in my department. Best of luck.</p>
<p>The overlap is dead on until junior year and then that is where the geology majors aren’t taking math classes and geophysics majors keep going with them. The overlap isn’t as much as I would like it to be. So I will at least have one more year to figure out which way to go (Taking Intro Mineralogy, Intro Petrology, Intro Geophysics, Field Methods, and the rest of the calculus sequence). </p>
<p>Since I am technically ahead in the curriculum right now (due to having taken mechanics and e&m whereas others are taking it sophomore year), I need to choose some classes to fill my schedule and possibly work towards a minor. There’s a 16 hour oceanography minor that looks really cool which leads to an undergrad research opportunity. Does this sound like a good option or would there be better ways to use the extra hours in my schedule?</p>
<p>I strongly suspect that within a year of geology classes, you’ll have a gut feeling as to which direction you’d like to go. Don’t sweat it too much for now. You are missing a pretty big chunk of “soft rock” geology in that sequence, although you may see that in field methods. Also, don’t get deterred by the big university “here are a bunch of rocks, memorize them” thing. That’s just lazy teaching for big introductory sections, and it definitely improves as class sizes shrink in upper division courses.</p>
<p>A&M actually has a surprisingly great oceanography group (I know a few grad students working there, we’ve had some university-trading). I would definitely recommend a class or two to try it out. I’m not sure a minor is especially helpful for future job prospects - unless that’s what you need to do to get at any research opportunities, which are DEFINITELY helpful. Proven research ability as an undergrad = instant career boost for an aspiring scientist.</p>
<p>What I think is especially cool is their long-time involvement with ocean drilling projects, where they try to go take big cores down to the earth’s mantle, or on undersea volcanic ridges, or for climate studies, or to figure out earthquake histories. This is the scientific big time - if you can get involved with their fabulous core collection, you should, because it is awesome. Marine geophysics may be a nice area of overlap for you there as well.</p>