Why Geology at CSU Fresno?
“I find in Geology a never-failing interest…it creates the same grand ideas respecting this world which Astronomy does for the Universe.”
-Charles Darwin (aboard the Beagle)
1.Geology is arguably the most fundamental of all the natural sciences in regards to human activities and human evolution.
Any college of Natural Sciences, indeed, any university, is incomplete without a Geology department. All the processes that have occurred to make our planet habitable are fundamentally geologic in nature. Volcanism is responsible for the evolution of the oceans, atmosphere and crust. Clay minerals are likely responsible for the development of RNA, and in turn self-replicating molecules. Paleontology provides the most genuine and profound demonstration of biological evolution. It is undeniable that all academic disciplines that purport to deal either directly or indirectly with human activities, origins, or environment, be it economics, chemistry, biology, anthropology, engineering, geography etc., has geology as its underpinnings.
2. Geology is the most relevant and important of the Environmental Sciences.
Outside of academia, the only truly commercially viable environmental enterprises are geological in nature. Consider the U.S. Department of Labor’s description of Environmental Science:
Environmental scientists and geoscientists use their knowledge of
the physical makeup and history of the Earth to locate water, mineral,
and energy resources; protect the environment; predict future geologic
hazards; and offer advice on construction and land use projects.
Unsurprisingly, the DOL provides the following advice regarding preparation for a career in the Environmental Sciences:
A bachelor's degree in geology or geophysics is adequate for some
entry-level geoscientist jobs, but more job opportunities and better jobs
with good advancement potential usually require at least a master's
degree in geology or geophysics. Environmental scientists require at least
a bachelor's degree in hydrogeology; environmental, civil, or geological engineering; or geochemistry or geology, but employers usually prefer
candidates with master's degrees.
As interesting as are the effects of a changing environment on plants and animals, the contamination of soils and groundwater continue, as they have for decades, to dominate the private Environmental Science field. And the need for a geological background is so completely central to such activities that it has been codified into state and federal law: Registered Geologists are the only scientists that have the legal authority in CA to formally approve the myriad environmental impact statements that are generated by many commercial activities (only Civil Engineers can share a similar responsibility). Moreover, the demand for geologists is so great that our employment rate is nearly 100%; in fact, demand is so high that employers have often expressed interest in recruiting our students directly from our undergraduate program.
3. The U.S. Department of Labor Lists Geology/Environmental Sciences as one of the key areas of employment and will continue to be crucial In Fresno and surrounding counties
The DOL states “Employment of environmental scientists and hydrologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010”. Indeed, the rationale for this optimistic outlook by the DOL reads as if it were written with Fresno and surrounding Central Valley communities in mind:
The need for companies to comply with environmental laws and
regulations is expected to contribute to the demand for environmental
scientists and some geoscientists, especially hydrologists and engineering geologists. Issues of water conservation, deteriorating coastal environments,
and rising sea levels also will stimulate employment growth of these workers.
As the population increases and moves to more environmentally sensitive locations, environmental scientists and hydrologists will be needed to assess building sites for potential geologic hazards and to address issues of pollution control and waste disposal. Hydrologists and environmental scientists also
will be needed to conduct research on hazardous wastesites to determine the impact of hazardous pollutants on soil and groundwater so engineers can
design remediation systems. The need for environmental scientists and geoscientists who understand both the science and engineering aspects of
waste remediation is growing. An expected increase in highway building and other infrastructure projects will be an additional source of jobs for
engineering geologists.
4. The Earth and Environmental Science Department at CSU Fresno is crucial to the Central Valley.
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