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
• Geological education

Through traditional course work, labs and field trips, you’ll discover techniques and technologies for analyzing the composition of the Earth, 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.
• Computer Geology (Geol 201): You’ll be exposed to computer applications in geology.
• Principles of Paleontology (Geol 212): You’ll study morphology, classification of fossil groups and utility of fossils in interpreting depositional environments and ages of sedimentary rocks.

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 $72,660 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,860 and $100,650. 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
• Geomicrobiology
• Glacial and Arctic Sciences Institute
• Health Effects of Mineral Dusts
• Hydrogeology Program (Idaho Falls)
• Hydrogeology Program (Moscow)
• Optical Mineralogy
• Planetary and Terrestrial Geomechanics

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:

• Implementation of a Groundwater Monitoring Program and Aquifer Testing in the Wanapum Aquifer System.
• Development of a Numerical Groundwater Flow Model for the M3 Eagle Development Area near Eagle, 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.

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 65 undergraduate geology majors, our medium-sized department will allow you to have direct interaction with our 13 active faculty and support personnel, who are nationally recognized for their excellence in research and teaching.

Susan Childers, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Research Interests: Geomicrobiology
» childers@uidaho.edu

John Davis, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Geological Science and Curriculum & Instruction
Research interests: Science teaching methodology, Increasing science literacy, and Pre-K-12 school structure and function
» View John Davis' profile

Jerry Fairley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Research Interests: Hydrogeology
» jfairley@uidaho.edu

Dennis J. Geist, Ph.D.
Professor
I specialize in the study of volcanoes and volcanic rocks, especially in the Galapagos Islands and the inland northwest of the United States.
» dgeist@uidaho.edu

Mickey Gunter, Ph.D.
Department Chair & Professor
Research interests: Health effects of mineral dusts, Computer programs for distribution, Optical mineralogy, Zeolites, Juneau Icefield Program
» mgunter@uidaho.edu

Peter E. Isaacson, Ph.D.
Professor
Research Interests: Paleontology, Stratigraphy
» isaacson@uidaho.edu

Gary Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor
Research Interests: Hydrogeology
» johnson@if.uidaho.edu

Simon A. Katterhorn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
My interests lie predominantly in the characterization of fracture and fault systems in three dimensions and the mechanics of fault failure as applied to earthquake behavior and fault evolution. My work necessitates detailed characterizations of the state of stress in actively deforming environments, facilitating the prediction of fault behavior and associated deformation, such as folding and fracture development.
» simkat@uidaho.edu

James Osiensky, Ph.D.
Professor
Resent research: Non Point Source Ground Water Contamination, Electrical Geophysical Applications in Hydrogeology, Ground Water Basin Analysis, Agricultural Landfill Investigation, Natural Gradient Ground Water Tracer Tests, Big Gulch Ground Water Model
» osiensky@uidaho.edu

Judith Totman Parrish, Ph.D.
Professor
My research has been on pre-Quaternary climates, and I have focused on three general themes: paleo-upwelling in the oceans and its effect on sedimentary rocks and fossils; the climate of the supercontinent Pangea; and high-latitude climate in the Cretaceous.
» jparrish@uidaho.edu

Kenneth F. Sprenke, Ph.D.
Professor
Research Interests: Geophysics, Environmental, Planetary Science
» ksprenke@uidaho.edu

Scott A. Wood, Ph.D.
Dean of College of Science & Professor
Research Interests: Theoretical and experimental studies of the thermodynamics, kinetics and molecular mechanisms of aqueous processes and water-rock interaction, especially at elevated temperatures and pressures. Particular emphasis on metals and their speciation and transport. Solubility, calorimetric, spectroscopic, electrochemical, phase equilibrium and other experimental studies. Field-based studies of ore deposits, geothermal systems and the environment. Applications to ore deposits, hydrometallurgy, exploration geochemistry, radioactive waste disposal and other environmental problems
» swood@uidaho.edu