<p>Hello, I am a freshman at the University of Houston, and am currently entering my second semester, and well....I have not yet OFFICIALLY decided what I want to do as far as majors are concerned, but I have narrowed it down significantly, and in the running was a degree in Geology. The program for a BS in Geology requires to take math all the way up to Calculus 3, and I have never been great with math, I can do it but when it is thrown together with other courses that are equally important I just dont feel comfortable taking the risk. The same college also offers a BA in Earth science which takes the same geology courses, but with minimal higher level math (Calculus 1 which I have already taken) and added biology hours at the expense of a few geology courses. But my question is if I were to pursue a degree with a BA in Earth Science could I do the same things I would do with a Geology degree? I have noted there is no field geology class with the Earth Science degree, and if I were to do anything as far as employment I would not mind doing mapping and flied studies, but thats just a preference (and one that is somewhat blind since I have not been in the field regardless) so is it possible? Would I look like a fool if I tried to apply for a job with the National Geologic Survey with a BA in Earth Science? Would I be somewhat more limited in employment choices and opportunities than I would be with a BS in Geology?</p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to this (and major don’t always match careers anyway) but I think you should do the Earth Science. It will be a broader education than the B.S. so therefore more flexible in the job market, includes courses you like and are good at, and follows your interests.</p>
<p>Maybe find out if you can do volunteer or intern work, during the year or in the summer, that provides field work experience: the mapping and fields studies you mentioned.</p>
<p>However, also realize that a BA will not be specific vocational training, meaning you do not have to work in the earth science/geology area at all. You can spend 4 years studying something that interests you, just for the sake of learning about it. Then, you can apply for any job requiring a bachelor’s, once you graduate, and will be eligible for grad or professional school as well.</p>
<p>The only caveat would be if you want to be an academic in geology or want to get a PhD in Geology or something like that.</p>
<p>Others will know more than I, about the specific field, but I say go for the BA and deal with employment prospects through interning/volunteering and thinking beyond a direct match between studies and career is also a good idea.</p>
<p>“a BA will not be specific vocational training, meaning you do not have to work in the earth science/geology area at all.”</p>
<p>But you wouldn’t have to work in the field with a geology BS, either. Most BS programs in the liberal arts (which includes physical sciences) are not vocational training. Even a truly pre-professional program like accounting or nursing doesn’t actually limit you to those fields; a geology BS certainly would not.</p>
<p>If you think you’d like to work somewhere like the NGS, you should ask professors and advisors in the geology department for their advice, and also try to find some people who have jobs that interest you and see what their backgrounds are. LinkedIn.com is a great tool for looking at the education and training of people who currently hold entry-level and junior jobs that appeal to you.</p>
<p>Bottom line is, if you would want to do the BS program if it weren’t for the calculus classes, and you passed calculus I without too much trouble, then don’t let two classes scare you away from a major you really want.</p>
<p>My D had an internship with the USGS this summer. There were kids with in BAs and BS programs. That’s not going to matter much. The bigger problem is that the USGS tends to hire only PhD’s. </p>
<p>A field camp experience will make you much more marketable regardless of degree, but you can do that independently if you need to.</p>
<p>hanna, I meant to write “bachelor’s,” not “BA” and didn’t mean to say that a BS was any more obligated to work in the field than a BA. Sorry for the mistake.</p>
<p>wyattthehopeful, I don’t believe that your BA in earth science will open all the doors that a Geology BA or BS will. That said, I think most of the really cool geology jobs require at least an MS. If you think you can do better taking your calculus classes when you’re not distracted, have you thought about taking just calculus during the summer? Most universities offer classes for college credit to anyone enrolled a 4 year college, even places like Stanford, and the credits are transferable. Maybe your own school offers summer classes.</p>
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<p>Yes. More than “somewhat” limited. And if you decide to go for an MS in Geology, those math classes will have to be taken anyway. Choosing a BA when a BS is offered is seen as the “lightweight” degree.</p>
<p>Enroll in Calc II next term and have a plan to stay on top of it and get regular tutoring from whatever services your campus offers. See how it goes. You are only a freshman, there’s time to try different things.</p>
<p>Are those Calculus classes prerequisites for any of the Geology courses or other courses required for the Geology major? If so, figure out when you would need to have completed them in order to be ready for those courses. You might be able to complete them during the summers. That way you could take them without any other distractions, and you would have the energy to focus on them.</p>