Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Earth Science] From Kent State University

The program requires a minimum of 21 hours of biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics; and 30 hours of geology, including courses in oceanography, minerals, rocks, fossils and landforms. A geography sequence is also required. A capstone field course is not required; however, most geology courses have extensive (one-to-three-day) excursions that allow students to obtain valuable field experience.

Career Opportunities

Geoscientists held about 33,600 jobs in 2008, while another 8,100 were employed as hydrologists. Many more individuals held geoscience faculty positions in colleges and universities, but they are classified as college and university faculty.
About 23 percent of geoscientists were employed in architectural, engineering, and related services and 19 percent worked for oil and gas extraction companies. State agencies such as State geological surveys and State departments of conservation employed another 9 percent of geoscientists. Eight percent worked for the Federal Government, including geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers, mostly within the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and within the U.S. Department of Defense.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand and communicate to others: a. the nature of scientific investigation and evidence, b. the complex interrelationships of the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and the lithosphere through geologic time.
2. Understand Earth materials and interpret geologic and environmental processes.