Geology (Major: Bachelor-Level)

Geologists are employed by resource development industries such as petroleum and mining, by federal and state government agencies, and by water and environmental consulting firms. The Geology B.S. Degree prepares students for employment as an entry-level geologic technician or for graduate studies in geology; it is the most flexible and demanding of the B.S. degrees offered by the Geology Department. Students are required to take fundamental and advanced geology courses, as well as two semesters of chemistry, physics, and calculus. The capstone experience for geology majors is a rigorous, outdoor, 6-week field school.About 40% of BYU-Idaho Geology majors complete their Bachelor's degree with an eye toward graduate school; a Master's degree is the most marketable and financially rewarding degree in geology. Top students from BYU-Idaho are accepted into excellent graduate programs across the nation. Another 40% of BYU-Idaho geology graduates find employment as entry level geologic technicians, and about 20% choose to apply the critical thinking, writing and data analysis skills they develop as a geology major to other careers such as law or business. The geology job market rises and falls with oil prices. However, the U.S. Department of Labor suggests that the number of jobs for geologists will increase 10% in the next 10 years and the American Geological Institute suggests approaching retirement of much of the current geologic workforce will ensure demand for geologists will remain high, particularly in the environmental sector.