West Virginia University
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Geology
Geologists study the origin, history, physical processes, and structure of the Earth.
The Geology Program at WVU prepares students for a range of fields—from environmental geology to paleontology to hydrogeology. A major emphasis of our program is sedimentary and environmental geology.
The WVU Geology Program enrolls approximately 60 undergraduates, so students receive lots of individual attention from instructors and build close relationships with their fellow geology majors, as well as other students within the Department of Geology and Geography.
Facts
- WVU’s outstanding Department of Geology and Geography facilities include a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing Laboratory. The department also houses the West Virginia GIS Center and the National Geospatial Development Center.
- Laboratories associated with geomorphology, structural geology, sedimentology, paleontology, mineralogy, and other areas are available.
- The WVU Geology Program maintains a partnership with the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, which is located in Morgantown.
- WVU offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees in geology.
What's the average starting salary?
$30,667 for those with a Bachelor of Science degree
What can I do with this major?
Graduates find employment with mining, environmental, and petroleum companies, as well as with government agencies and in academia. Employers of our recent grads include the US Department of Energy, US Army National Guard, West Virginia Departments of Environmental Protection and Surface Mining, West Virginia Conservation Agency, and a variety of geology, environmental, and engineering consulting firms.
What classes will I take?
Geology majors are required to take eight credit hours in chemistry, eight credit hours in physics, and ten to 16 credit hours in mathematics and statistics, in addition to 40 hours of geology courses.
Courses required of all geology majors include Planet Earth, Earth Through Time, Mineralogy, Introductory Petrology, Structural Geology, Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, Geology Field Camp, and either Paleontology or Environmental and Exploration of Geophysics.
Depending on the major field of geologic studies selected, students are encouraged to choose supporting courses in fields such as mining or petroleum engineering, biology, geography, soil mechanics, and computer science.
How can I find out more?
Visit the Department of Geology and Geography home page and the geology major flyer.
Photo Gallery
WVU geology students embark on many exciting adventures! Just take a look at the pictures below, courtesy of Dr. Thomas Kammer, WVU geology professor.
