Program Overview

Geological Sciences, B.S.

McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Get a rock-solid foundation for a career exploring the environment. You will study the inner workings of the Earth all the way to climate change and build technical skills for working in the lab or in the field.

Whether you want to study earthquakes, volcanoes, groundwater, climate change or the coastal oceans, a degree in geological sciences can help you reach your goals. You can also fulfill pre-med, pre-health, or pre-law requirements, or pursue graduate study in geology.

Program Highlights

• Field Experience: Spend a summer with hands-on learning in the field collecting and analyzing structures in a capstone course.
• Leading Labs: Join cutting-edge research using plasma-source mass spectrometers at the Center for Elemental Mass Spectrometry.
• Engaged Faculty: Learn from our large and diverse faculty with broad scientific expertise in a variety of specializations.
• Work That Matters: Gain meaningful employment within energy and mineral resources or environmental consulting related to water resources.

What You’ll Study

Learn from observing the Earth with the study of rocks and minerals, stratigraphy and sedimentary basins, igneous and metamorphic processes, structural geology, surface processes, processes of global environmental change and field geology. Enhance your skills in biology, chemistry, physics, calculus, statistics and computer science.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Laboratory Research: Conducting experiments and analyzing data to gain new knowledge and insights in a scientific field
• Scientific Writing: Communicating scientific research and findings in a clear, accurate and compelling manner
• Data Analysis: Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making
• Critical Thinking: Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions or judgments
• Analytical Reasoning: Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions
• Problem Solving: Identifying, analyzing and resolving problems or challenges using creative and effective strategies

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

• Potential Careers:
  • Carbon Sequestration Scientist
  • Lobbyist
  • Researcher
  • Instructor
  • Mine Geologist
  • Coastal Zone Management
• Job Titles of Alumni:
  • Geologist
  • Staff Geologist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Field Engineer
• Average Alumni Salary: Five to 10 years after graduation without additional education $66,276
• Workplace Settings:
  • Education
  • Environmental Science
  • Government
  • Private Sector
• Employers of Alumni:
  • S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
  • University of South Carolina
  • Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
  • Schlumberger

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

• Master's:
  • Geological Sciences, M.S.
  • Earth and Environmental Resources Management, M.E.E.R.M.
• Doctorate:
  • Geological Sciences, Ph.D.
• Combination Degree | Master's | Doctorate:
  • Earth and Environmental Resources Management and Law, M.E.E.R.M. & J.D.