In American education the demand for geography teachers is undergoing substantial growth. In the past, most geologists worked in the petroleum and natural gas industry or in the mining industry, often traveling to exotic places to explore for new deposits. Nowadays, geologists are more likely to be employed as geochemists, geophysicists, or environmental scientists. Geologists can find employment in government geological and conservation services, in environmental consulting firms, in companies that perform engineering and structural assessments, in geophysical or geochemical laboratories, or in the mineral industries. Demand for geologists is strong because it is a field critical to the economic well-being of the country.
Earth science is for students who want to study both geology and physical geography.
The earth science program meets the requirements of the Missouri Department of Education for teaching this specialty in the secondary schools. The program also prepares individuals to obtain a position as an earth scientists with federal, state, and local governments or with private consulting firms. Please be sure to visit our Geoscience Web Sites page for links to information about jobs in the Geosciences. We welcome any questions you may have about the Department or its programs.