Geology Major Concentrations
Earth Sciences Concentration
Our Bachelor of Science in Geology with a concentration in Earth Sciences is a great choice for students looking to pursue graduate studies on the Environment, Paleontology, Energy, Mining, or Climate fields. Students will complete courses in a broad range of geology topics to have a holistic approach to understanding the Earth.
In addition, graduates of this concentration will be well prepared for careers in federal and state agencies, labs, surveys, and museums. Other career options include the mining and the mineral industry, federal and state educational organizations, geospatial consulting companies, environmental consulting companies, and natural resources agencies. Typical job duties include collecting data outdoors using state of the art field instruments and constructing maps and technical reports while in the office.
Faculty and students associated with this concentration are conducting research in the stable isotope lab to collect and analyze stable isotope data; X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) on well cuttings collected from the Midway Shale and the Cretaceous/Paleogene Boundary; detecting and classifying geophysical data collected at active volcanoes; collecting and interpreting data at seismic stations; and processing data using Artificial Intelligence.
Environmental Geology Concentration
Our Bachelor of Science in Geology with a concentration in Environmental Geology is a great choice for students looking to pursue graduate studies in the Environmental and Hydrogeological fields.
In addition, graduates of this concentration will be well prepared for careers in federal and state agencies, surveys and labs, and environmental assessment and consulting firms. Additional career paths include mining and the mineral industry, federal and state research agencies and labs, federal and state educational organizations, and geospatial consulting companies. Typical job duties include collecting data outdoors using state-of-the-art field instruments and constructing maps and technical reports while in the office.
Faculty and students associated with this concentration are involved in research to collect and interpret data from seismic stations; process data using Artificial Intelligence; and local groundwater studies.
Paleontology Concentration
Our Bachelor of Science in Geology with a concentration in Paleontology is a great choice for students looking to pursue graduate studies in Micropaleontology, Invertebrate, and Vertebrate Paleontology.
In addition, graduates of this concentration will be well prepared for careers in federal and state agencies, surveys, laboratories, and museums. Additional career paths include the petroleum and pipeline industry, mining and mineral industry, federal and state educational organizations, geospatial consulting companies, museum staff, and paleontology laboratory staff. Typical job duties include collecting fossils and geologic data outdoors and in laboratories to describe the relationship between the biological history of the animal with its geologic past.
Faculty and students associated with this concentration are doing research in the stable isotope lab; sorting and identifying fossils from various locations and ages; and Louisiana fossil sites.
Energy Resources Concentration
Our Bachelor of Science in Geology with a concentration in Energy Resources is a great choice for students looking to pursue graduate studies in Subsurface Geology or work in the Energy Sector.
In addition, graduates of this concentration will be well prepared for careers in federal and state agencies and surveys, the energy industry, mining and mineral industry, and geospatial consulting companies. Typical job duties include compiling and organizing subsurface geological data and mapping it for potential energy resources.
Faculty and students associated with this concentration are involved in research in the characterization of marine shales; geophysical analysis to pick the micro-seismicity caused by the hydraulic fracture operation; and basin analysis.