Geology

Overview

A graduate from the Geology program offered by South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is expected to:

• Apply scientific and mathematical knowledge to problems in the geosciences

• Analyze and interpret geological and other scientific data

• Work professionally with a team

• Collect geological data (from the literature, field, or laboratory) to answer a scientific question

• Follow the ethical standards of the geoscience profession

• Communicate effectively in oral and written form

• Apply geological knowledge to global systems and human societies

• Investigate geological problems using appropriate technology 

Choosing a career focus

Many different career opportunities are open to students in the geosciences. Students complete a core of geology courses to solidly prepare them for careers in the geosciences. Additional electives are chosen to focus on a particular career path and best prepare the student for employment or graduate school. Students may focus in one of five career paths or select electives from two or more career paths, depending on their interests.

GEOL focus areas include: 

• Energy and Mineral Resources: exploration and development of energy and mineral resources. Graduate may explore for and assist with extracting these resources.

• Environmental Geology: protection and management of natural resources. Graduates may work for environmental firms, or could do environmental work for petroleum and mineral companies. Many government agencies also hire graduates with these skills.

• Geomathematics: applications of mathematics, statistics, and numerical methods to quantify geologic phenomena. Prepares students for graduate studies. These skills are in high demand for employment in academic, industrial, and government research sectors.

• Geospatial Technology: managing spatial data using GIS, GPS, and remote sensing. Graduates may work in traditional petroleum, mining, or environmental companies, for government agencies, or within the geospatial industry that provides and manages maps and imagery to the world.

• Paleontology: study of ancient organisms and environments. Graduates in this focus area will often attend graduate school to develop research and teaching careers, but career opportunities also are available in museums, governmental agencies, or with consulting firms that survey and preserve fossil resources.