Geology
Geology is the study of the Earth, its features and processes. Geology affects populations worldwide through earthquakes, volcanic events, natural resource mining and management, soils, water resources, and more. Geologic areas of study include volcanoes; earthquakes and seismology; the Geologic Time Scale and the formation of the earth; petrology (rocks) and minerals; hydrology; erosion; oceanography, including beach systems; environmental geology (resources, hazards, etc.); glaciers and Ice Ages; groundwater; deserts, and extra-terrestrial planets.The Las Positas College Geology Program features lectures and laboratories for both Geology majors and non-science majors.
Programs of Study
Degrees:
Certificates of Achievement:
Career Opportunities
With further study, students can pursue geologic specialties which include geologic
mapping, earthquakes and seismology, vulcanology, hydrology, earth resources and environmental
impacts, paleontology, glaciology, petrology and mineralogy, mass wasting (landslides
and slope stability), marine geology, paleoclimatology, soil science, the geology
of other planets, etc. Geologic and engineering fi rms have geologists on staff working
on geologic mapping, hazard assessment/evaluation, water resource planning, etc. At
research facilities such as Sandia and LLNL, geologists work on projects such as modeling
the earth’s interior, studying climate change, groundwater remediation, etc. The USGS,
CGS, NOAA, NASA, EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have geologists on staff,
as do museums, colleges, and universities.