Why Study Geology?

If you are excited to learn about the earth’s composition, energy sources, environmental developments, mineral resources, water management, natural hazards, sustainability, climate change and what we must do to manage the resources around us, then this post is for you. Look

Here’s what we’ll look at today:

  • What does a degree in geology offer?
  • Skills required to master geology course
  • Top 10 universities to study geology
  • What do geology graduates do?

What does a degree in geology offer?


Geology is one field of study that can provide solutions for many of the world’s problems. Be it climate change or dwindling resources, geology closely studies the change that took place over time and finds the solution for all the issues relating to the earth.

Geology can be defined as the study of the earth. Geology looks at both modern and ancient environments deciphering the processes at work on our planet. This discipline carefully studies the planet’s functioning and looks at the history that extends back to billions of years. Geology takes ideas from math, chemistry, physics and even biology and applies them to the earth. Geology looks at finding natural resources such as groundwater, petroleum, metals and developing natural resources to safeguard our environment. Soil conservation, maintaining the quality of the water supply and maintaining agricultural production is also an essential part of geology studies. Study of mountainous terrain, fossils, precious metals, molten rock, ocean and seafloor sediments, moonrock is also part of geology.


Skills required to master geology

  • Attention to detail
  • Technical skills
  • Decision making
  • Strong communication skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Analytical thinking
  • Skill to use instruments
  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving

Top 10 universities to study geology

Here are the top 10 universities globally to study geology as listed by the QS ranking :

Serial No. University Country
1 ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich Switzerland
2 Harvard University Cambridge United States
3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Cambridge United States
4 University of Washington Seattle
United States
5 University of Cambridge Cambridge
United Kingdom
6 California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Pasadena
United States
7 University of California, Berkeley (UCB) Berkeley
United States
8 Stanford University Stanford
United States
9 University of Oxford Oxford
United Kingdom
10 Columbia University New York City
United States

An undergraduate course in geology will be for three to four years and is offered with specialisation in earth science and environmental science. And after completing the undergraduate program in geology, you can aim for a master’s program with a specialisation in applied geology, earth sciences, toxicology, soil science, hydrology & water management and climate studies meteorology. Various international universities offer PhD, diploma, and certificate courses in geology.

Here's a look at some important contents that are part of a geology curriculum:

  • Fundamentals Chemistry
  • Economic geology
  • Geochemistry
  • Marine geology
  • Principles of Biology
  • Engineering geology
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Economic Geology
  • Geochemistry
  • Invertebrate Palaeontology
  • Hydrogeology

What do geology graduates do?

The job opportunities for a geology graduate are increasing day by day. Many national and international companies look forward to a geologist to conduct various scientific experiments and drawing conclusions for problems related to the environment. A geologist can get a job in industries like mining and mineral resources, petroleum exploration, and greenhouse gas sequestration. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, in the U.S., the job of a geologist is predicted to grow 7% per cent from 2020 to 2030, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. This is said to create new openings and opportunities in multiple fields.


Here are some career options and jobs after graduating in geology:

  • Environmental consultant
  • Remote sensing Specialist
  • Groundwater specialist
  • Mining or marine engineer
  • Environmental scientist
  • Marine geologist
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Geochemist
  • Geochemist
  • Geophysicist
  • Geoscientist
  • Geotechnical engineer
  • Hydrographic surveyor

Why study geology? If you are passionate about joining a course in which you will solve “real-world” problems literally and if you are excited to study how the earth works, both today and in the past, then geology is the course for you.

Are you wondering what are the benefits of studying abroad? Read more on our blog!

Date added
22.02.2022

Filed under:

Global Ed

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