Ok so I'm thinking about majoring in geology?

Question

I'm mainly interested in geology because I love being out in nature and I'm curious about how different land masses & enviornments were formed, & what elements & materials make up the earth. What is a typical day in the life of a geologist like? What are the specialized areas of geology that I can go into, if needed?

I'm thinking about possibly getting a BA or MA in the field. However, I was never great at math in HS. I was like a C or B math student and I always need some help (except for with easy stuff like geometry). Should I be concerned about studying geology as a major if I need help with math? Are there prereqs I have to meet first?

Answer 1

I am currently a geology major and love every minute of it!  I go to the University of Pittsburgh so what I say about classes applies there and I don't know where else.  We have to take calculus, general chemistry, and physics.  However, there are places to get free tutoring there.  See if your college has a Student Support Services program.  The program at my school offers tutoring in many subjects, including calculus.  Also, since we are such a small department, we are all really close and ask one another for help when we need it.  There are many specialized areas.  I prefer paleontology, but there are vulcanology, seismology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and many others.  You picked a great major!

Answer 2

There are NO "typical" days for a geologist since there are so many different types of geological jobs.

I'll give you three "typical" days for 3 different jobs.

Wellsite operations geologist offshore rig-

1) wake up 4AM check with nite shift mudloggers for any shows, problems

2) describe well cuttings - if any- it can take some time a couple 2-3 hours...write AM report which take up to 1 1/2 hours.  Fax in the report

3) Get some breakfast -- its usually pretty good and all you want.  BS with crew to see if they report anything unusual.

4) Make AM report with overall rig report over phone  or video conference line.  Usually done be 9 AM.  There is usually some sort of marching orders for you plus a butt chewing for any of a million reasons.

5)  Keep up with sample description until lunch     - call in office ops chief for any sort of update.

6)  Eat lunch - catch a nap unless things don't permit it.  Sleep is a scarce commodity

7)  Catch up with things after nap...call office before 5 to chat with ops people

8) Dinner evening rounds

9) FInal report to ops geologist at ~9PM make contingency plans for the unexpected happening overnight. Like the time the rig caught fire and you had to get in the life rafts at 1AM

10) Final rounds - get to bed by 10-11 - pray you don't have problems.

1) Office job - Get to office by 7AM (I am an early bird).  Check email and review schedule for the day.

2) Work on projects be ready for short notice meetings

3) lunch

4) afternoon same as PM - towards end of day make sure you make a list of things to be done the next day.  This way little will take you by surprise.

Now the fun job - Field geology (ALL of this is true BTW - honest)...and OK, it not a "typical" day.

1) Wake up on Portuguese tuna boat that has been converted to a research vessel - Try to beat the other guys to the toilet otherwise you will have to pee over the gunwale and the deck mate will get mad if you do that....

2) Eat breakfast and listen to the cook insult you for not enjoying his half-done eggs and bacon not to mention his oatmeal which will be used to caulk the deck later.

3) Make a sack lunch and load up your gear...unless there is a full gale and horizontal rain, you WILL be measuring sections and collecting samples.

4) Take the boat's helicopter to outcrop site or as close as you can get.  Pray that the Vietnam era pilot doesn't have flashback and think that the deck is a "hot" LZ.   Make sure your gun is loaded (shotgun with slugs - this is bear country - (I'm not making this up)

5)  Measure your sections, collect samples and photograph your section - you will do this all day plus hiking to other collection sites.  Hikes can be on boulder beaches (ankle breakers) or up hills in alders so think you can't see 10' ahead of you.

6)  When you see a half eaten moose carcass leave the area... the owner is nearby.

7) When you see a cute little bear cub 40' up a tree just off your path, realize that its Mom is sitting at the base of that tree and is about 2.5 seconds away from ripping you limb from limb....leave quickly, but don't run.

8)  The bear that keeps circling you and steadily getting closer is not trying to make you dizzy, he is trying to size you up for lunch.  Most likely he has never seen humans....seriously - did I say we were in the Alaskan bush a LONG way from civilization?

9)  Realize that the stranded seal pup on the beach is beyond your help and that it's calling for its mother has attracted a grizzly bear 1/4 mile away....realize that there is a balance to nature and that it is not always kind or gentle

10)  Back to the boat by 5.  Enjoy the view from the chopper.  Volcanoes, water, wildlife and trees.  Type notes into computer back on boat.

Prepare to enjoy dinner - tonight its fresh caught halibut.  Try not to think about that glass of Chardonnay you are not drinking with it.

11) After dinner catch up with samples, other work or read a book.  Catch up with housekeeping, personal stuff

12 Get some sleep - pray that the guy in the bunk above you doesn't have another "night terror" attack and wake the whole frigging boat up

Geology is not a bad life - I been to 5 continents and there are more "typical" day stories.  

Brace yourself and take the year of physics, chemistry and 3 semesters of math.  The first calculus I took turned out to be not certified for a science major, so I had to take it over in grad school.  Not fun...take advantage of any tutoring.  Try to get your MS from a well regarded school.  Good Luck

Answer 3

I'm about to graduate with a B.S. in geology and I'll be getting an M.S. in graduate school.  You won't make as much money with a B.A. (most likely) and graduate schools won't want to accept you vs. a B.S. student.  The science for the B.S. sucks pretty bad, but it's definitely doable.  The calculus kind of sucks too, but it's just two semesters here.  Most schools don't even require that much.  Most schools also have tons of resources to help students with classes that frequently cause problems like calculus, freshman chem, algebra-based physics, etc. so you can get through it if you want to put in the work.

Answer 4

be a good student and get knowledge from past geologists

Answer 5

As long as you study hard, you can make up for your math.  I have a geological engineering degree so my math was obviously much more intense than most geos.  I work in the environmental field in Los Angeles.  I used to go out and oversee drillers installing wells.  It was fun interesting work.  Now I am pretty much stuck behind a computer.  There are jobs out in the country that are better for nature lovers.  I too love nature.  Studying geology will provide you with a different perspective.  I once heard a medical doctor tell me that when he sees someone he sees their skeleton underneath.  When I see a scenery, I see the skeleton of the earth and the various forces required to create that scene.  Far from making it less beautiful, it simply makes it more interesting.   Regards.