Geology

The location of the University of Idaho makes it an optimal choice for the study of geological sciences. The Western states offer a rich and diverse terrain and climate, with access to both the environment of this region and the nearby Rocky Mountains. This diversity gives you plenty of opportunities to explore and study the geological processes of the Earth, the effect of erosion and deposition, and the formation of rocks and minerals and their uses.

The Department of Geological Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Geology that will prepare you to teach geology or to work as a geologist, an environmental scientist, a park ranger, a soil engineer or more, or to pursue an advanced degree in the earth sciences.

Since the University of Idaho offers nearly 60 undergraduate geology courses, you’ll have the flexibility to customize your own course work to fit your specific geoscience interests. You have the option of choosing emphasis areas in:

• General geology
• Hydrogeology
• Environmental geology
• Resource exploration
• Structural geology and tectonics
• Earth science education

Through traditional course work, labs and field trips, you’ll discover techniques and technologies for analyzing the composition of the Earth, minerals, rocks and water. You’ll also be exposed to methods for locating, preserving and protecting our natural resources such as groundwater, metals and petroleum. Additionally, group projects and research assistant opportunities will allow you to gain real-world experience.

Prepare for Success

Do you frequently ask yourself: ‘How was the Earth formed and how is it changing? What effects will shrinking glaciers have on the oceans and climate? What other sources of energy can be uncovered?’ If you think about these issues, care about our planet and enjoy being outside studying it, a degree in geology may be for you.

In addition to taking basic science courses in high school, you should also be adventurous and inquisitive and enjoy spending time outside exploring our natural environment.

Your First Year

In addition to your core university requirements, here’s a sample list of classes for geology students. Many of these courses also include field trips and lab requirements:

• Physical Geology (Geol 101): You’ll study the Earth, its composition, structure and natural processes.
• Historical Geology (Geol 102): Discover the evolution of the physical earth, plants and animals; techniques used in interpretation of geologic history.
• Physical Geology for Science Majors (Geol 111): This is the introductory course in earth science for geology and other science majors.

What You Can Do

With a degree in geology, you may choose to pursue one of the following careers:

• Geologist
• Museum curator
• Climate change scientist
• Earthquake or volcano monitor
• Engineering geologist
• Surveyor
• Environmental consultant
• Engineering geologist
• Hydrologist
• Mineralogist
• Park ranger
• Seismologist
• Soils engineer

Opportunities

With a Bachelor of Science in geology, you'll be prepared to work in current high-growth industries, such as:

• Environmental geology
• Water resources
• Earth science education
• Minerals exploration
• Petroleum industry

Depending on your interest areas, a degree in geology will equip you to work for architectural and engineering firms, oil and gas extraction companies, as well as state agencies or the federal government. The Department of the Interior or the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employs skilled geoscientists in various parts of the country.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual earnings of geoscientists were $93,380 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between $57,820 and $115,460. Our graduates have built successful careers working for environmental consulting companies or government agencies and by continuing their education to earn a master's or a  doctorate.

Here are some employers of geologists:

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Department of Natural Resources
• Oil and mining companies
• NASA
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S Army Corps of Engineers
• Environmental consulting companies
• Construction and development firms

Current Research

Our research efforts span the U.S. and globe, stretching from Alaska to Bolivia and New Zealand. While most research activities are reserved for graduate students, diligent students can begin building their research experience as undergrads. Here’s a sample of some our most significant research efforts:

• Clarkia Tertiary Research Center
• Computational Hydrology
• Health Effects of Mineral Dusts
• Hydrogeology Program (Idaho Falls)
• Hydrogeology Program (Moscow)
• Optical Mineralogy
• Planetary and Terrestrial Structural Geology

Activities

The Department of Geological Sciences seminar series brings you lectures and workshops from top geologists who are recognized for their contributions to the field.

Hands-On Experience

Regardless of what emphasis area you choose to study, you’ll benefit from direct interaction with faculty. Field trips and hands-on lab work will also prepare you to tackle real-world challenges you’ll face on the job, such as evaluating groundwater contaminates for excavations, preparing geologic cross sections and classifying soils, and much more.

For example, here are some research projects our graduate students are working on:

• Fracture Styles at Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, Imply Both Meteorite Impact and Salt Diapirism.
• Facies Analysis and Sequence Interpretation of the Late Devonian Three Forks Formation, Lost River Range, Idaho.
• The study of fracture networks exposed in steep basalt canyons at Box Canyon, near the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The team is looking to develop new techniques for storing carbon dioxide in the deep subsurface to reduce carbon emissions and reverse global climate change.
• Aquifer Characterization in the Palouse Basin.
• Global Climate Change in the Miocene Recorded in Columbia River Basalt-hosted Paleosols.
• The Case for Recent Tectonic Activity on Jupiter’s Moon Europa.

Facilities

The University of Idaho has extensive research facilities and tools, such as rock cutting and crushing equipment, petrographic microscopes and photomicrograph facilities, and more. In addition, quite often, our faculty members have established relationships with professors at neighboring universities, which will give you access to even more high-tech equipment. Other equipment and facilities, includes:

• Computing facilities
• Geovisualization Facility
• Geochemical and mineralogical facilities, including state-of-the-art, ICP AES and HPLC chemical laboratory
• Geophotography and remote sensing laboratory
• Geophysical equipment

Faculty Involvement

With about 80 undergraduate geology majors, our medium-sized department will allow you to have direct interaction with our 10 active faculty and support personnel, who are nationally recognized for their excellence in research and teaching.

Jerry Fairley, Ph.D.
Professor - Hydrogeology
Research Interests: Multiphase flow and transport in heterogeneous porous media; Faults and fluid flow; Geothermal systems/EGS
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Dennis J. Geist, Ph.D.
Professor - Igneous Petrology, Volcanology
Research Interests: Volcanology of the Galapagos Islands, Northern Andes, Snake River Plain, Iceland, and Antarctica; Geology and island biodiversity
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Mickey Gunter, Ph.D.
Department Chair & Professor - Mineralogy, Optical Mineralogy
Research Interests: Health effects of mineral dusts; Optical mineralogy; Zeolites
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Peter E. Isaacson, Ph.D.
Professor - Paleontology, Stratigraphy
Research Interests: Glaciations of western Gondwana; Late Paleozoic stratigraphy and paleogeography of the central Andes; Sequence stratigraphy of southern Idaho
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Gary Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor - Hydrogeology
Research Interests: Surface and ground water interaction; Regional modeling of ground water and surface water; Water and energy interactions
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Simon A. Kattenhorn, Ph.D.
Professor - Geomechanics, Structural Geology, Planetary Geology
Research Interests: Fault and fracture mechanics; Tectonics of oblique spreading ridges; Planetary geology; Tectonic-magmatic interaction
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Eric Mittelstaedt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Geodynamics
Research Interests: Tectonic and Magmatic Evolution of Mid-Ocean Ridges, Mantle Plume-Ridge Interaction, Hydrothermal Vents, Analog and Numerical Simulation of Earth Systems
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James Osiensky, Ph.D.
Professor - Groundwater Hydrology
Research Interests: Contaminant hydrogeology; Hydrogeologic site characterization; Hydrogeophysical applications in hydrogeology; Groundwater resource evaluation
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Kenneth F. Sprenke, Ph.D.
Professor - Geophysics, Environmental and Planetary Science
Research Interests: Planetary and Environmental Geophysics
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Brian Yanites, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Geomorphology
Research Interests: Geomorphology; Landscape evolution; Climate-tectonic-topography interactions; Tectonic geomorphology; Numerical modeling of landscape processes
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