Geology
17A Cramer Hall (CH)
725-3022
www.pdx.edu/earth-environment-society/geology-0
The Geology Academic Area offers programs leading to the bachelor’s degree in geology and earth science, as well as studies in geochemistry, planetary science, volcanology, glaciology, hydrogeology, and environmental and engineering geology.
The programs serve both majors in geology and earth science and non-majors: those who may wish to broaden their science background; those preparing to teach general or earth sciences or geology in elementary or secondary schools; and those preparing for a master’s or a doctoral degree.
Post-baccalaureate students (with a bachelor’s degree not in geology) who wish to become professional geologists may complete this curriculum while doing both undergraduate and graduate work in geology.
Geologists are employed by government agencies at federal, state, county, and city levels; by independent consulting firms to work with engineers, architects and planners; in the construction, mining, and energy industries; and as teachers in elementary, middle and high schools and at the college level.
Geologists who have graduated from PSU are employed in natural hazards analysis and planning, climate change research, assessment of ground and surface water resources, exploration, development and management of mineral and energy resources, geotechnical and geoengineering studies, urban planning and GIS, and instruction at all educational levels.
Students majoring in geology and earth science should plan to complete the required mathematics, chemistry, and physics courses as early in their program as possible.
The Geology Academic Area offers programs leading to a graduate certificate, the Master of Arts or Master of Science in geology with an option in geohydrology, the Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in Applied Geoscience, and to the Earth, Environment, & Society Doctoral Program.
The M.A./M.S. program is designed to train geology students beyond the baccalaureate degree for professional employment or for advanced graduate work.
Geology participates in the Earth, Environment, & Society Doctoral Program. Specialized studies in hydrogeology, geomicrobiology, environmental geology, engineering geology, geomechanics, glaciology, and applied stratigraphy, along with multidisciplinary environmental science courses and seminars, will partially fulfill the requirements for the Ph.D. See Earth, Environment and Society Ph.D. for information relative to the Ph.D. program in Earth, Environment, & Society.