Geosciences
Photo by Natalee Waters for Virginia Tech.
Geoscientists integrate and apply a wide range of scientific skills and concepts to examine Earth’s composition, structure, and processes in order to better understand its past, present, and future. In addition to having the opportunity to have fulfilling and environmentally friendly careers, their rigorous educational experience affords geoscience degree holders with good employability and salary potential. Geoscientists also have the benefit of working in multiple work environments including in the field, laboratories, and the office.
Major
Geosciences students investigate earth processes at scales that range from atomic to planetary. The Geosciences undergraduate program offers degrees with Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geobiology and Paleobiology, Environmental and Engineering Geosciences, and Earth Science Education options.
Earth Science Education is designed to prepare future geoscience educators with the content knowledge they need to teach about earth and environmental sciences in formal and informal educational settings.
Geologists in the environmental and engineering sectors are multidisciplinary scientists working at the intersection of natural and built environments.
Environmental geologists prevent and solve problems related to human interaction with the natural environment.
Engineering geologists apply geologic principles to engineering works. They perform environmental impact analyses, geological hazard assessments, groundwater resources evaluations, and geotechnical site characterization.
Paleontology is the study of past life on Earth. There are two main categories of paleontology: Geobiology and Paleobiology.
Geobiology studies the interactions between life and its environment in modern Earth and its ancient past. Geobiologists work in academia, museums, federal agencies, natural resources industry, and environmental consulting companies.
Paleobiology reconstructs the biology (physiology, biomechanics, growth, diet) and relationships of extinct life. They use anatomy, chemistry, CT data, 3D printing, phylogenetic analyses, embryology, developmental biology, and biomechanics.
Geochemists examine Earth materials and systems to understand and model the distributions and cycling of chemical elements and compounds. Geochemical knowledge, tools, and methods can be applied to a broad range of geosciences questions and environmental problems.
Geologists study the composition, structure, and history of the Earth. Rocks, minerals, and fossil remains help geologists to determine the sequence of events in the evolution of Earth. Geology is an interdisciplinary science: geologists apply knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to explain Earth processes and to solve past, current, and future geological problems.
Geologists are broadly trained to critically think about the integration of Earth processes happening today and in the past.
Geophysics is the study of Earth’s physical processes. There are two main categories of geophysics: Exploration Geophysics and Solid Earth Geophysics. Exploration Geophysics uses the principles of physics to image Earth’s interior, analogous to medical imaging. Career applications include energy and mineral resources, natural and geotechnical hazards, and the environment. Solid Earth Geophysics studies Earth's dynamic processes that are responsible for earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, plate tectonics, heat flow, magnetism, and planetary interiors.
Things to note:
- Hands-on laboratory classes
- Laboratory intensive curriculum
Learn More
Visit the Department of Geosciences
Visit Virtually
Schedule a virtual tour with the College of Science Undergraduate Recruiter