Bakersfield College GeologyBakersfield College Geology Jack Pierce – http://professorpierce.weebly.comJack Pierce – http://professorpierce.weebly.com

GEOLOGYGEOLOGY::• Why become a geologistWhy become a geologist• Preparation for geologyPreparation for geology• BC-Geology programBC-Geology program• Link to CUSB geologyLink to CUSB geology• Careers in GeologyCareers in Geology

GEOLOGYGEOLOGY::• Why become a geologistWhy become a geologist• Preparation for geologyPreparation for geology• BC-Geology programBC-Geology program• Link to CUSB geologyLink to CUSB geology• Careers in GeologyCareers in Geology

Why become a geologist:Why become a geologist:• Are you interested in travel?Are you interested in travel?• Do you enjoy the outdoors and find nature interesting?Do you enjoy the outdoors and find nature interesting?• Are you concerned about the environment?Are you concerned about the environment?• Are you interested in how natural processes work?Are you interested in how natural processes work?• Have you ever wondered about the natural history of our earth?Have you ever wondered about the natural history of our earth?

• Currently, there are more geology positions than folks to fill them.Currently, there are more geology positions than folks to fill them.• Entry level salaries can be greater than $90,000 / yr.Entry level salaries can be greater than $90,000 / yr.

Good Geology TravelGood Geology Travel

Types of geology degrees:Types of geology degrees:

AS-T degree AS-T degree (Associate in Science Transfer)(Associate in Science Transfer)• SB-1440 – Student Transform Achievement Reform Act --(9-29-10)SB-1440 – Student Transform Achievement Reform Act --(9-29-10)

• Enables CC’s and CSU’s to collaborate on AA / AS transfer degreesEnables CC’s and CSU’s to collaborate on AA / AS transfer degrees

• Completion of the CC transfer degree allows CSU junior statusCompletion of the CC transfer degree allows CSU junior status

• Guaranteed CSU admission and program priorityGuaranteed CSU admission and program priority

• The law prohibits CSU’s from requiring T-students to repeat similarThe law prohibits CSU’s from requiring T-students to repeat similar courses already completed at the community collegecourses already completed at the community college• Status of BC geology AS-T degree – PendingStatus of BC geology AS-T degree – Pending

• BC geology courses currently match CSU courses ---- waitingBC geology courses currently match CSU courses ---- waiting for approval.for approval.

BS – degreeMS– degreePhD – degree

Preparation for the geology AS-T degreePreparation for the geology AS-T degree

Suggested High School Prep Satisfactory Completion

AS-T Geology DegreeAS-T Geology Degree

Math:• Algebra (2 years)• Geometry• Trigonometry

Science:• Physics or Biology• Earth Science

English:• 4 years• Good writing skills!

Math:Math:• Calculus I and IICalculus I and II

Courses in geology major:Courses in geology major:• Physical Geology Lecture/ LabPhysical Geology Lecture/ Lab• Historical Geology Lecture/ LabHistorical Geology Lecture/ Lab

Science Courses:Science Courses:• General Chemistry I and IIGeneral Chemistry I and II• General Physics I and IIGeneral Physics I and II

Recommended for transfer:Recommended for transfer:• General BiologyGeneral Biology

• AS-T Geology degree prepares AS-T Geology degree prepares student for CSU transfer as juniorstudent for CSU transfer as junior

• AS-T degree grants CSU priorityAS-T degree grants CSU priority admission for the geology majoradmission for the geology major

Learning Geology at Bakersfield CollegeLearning Geology at Bakersfield College

Scholarship Opportunities:Scholarship Opportunities:• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) ScholarshipsSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Scholarships

• STEM A+PLUS Scholarships funded by NSFSTEM A+PLUS Scholarships funded by NSF• ((AACTION + CTION + PPERSISTENCE + ERSISTENCE + LLEADERSHIP + EADERSHIP + UUNDERSTANDING = NDERSTANDING = SSUCCESS)UCCESS)• STEM program awarded up to $12,000 in scholarship funds towards STEM program awarded up to $12,000 in scholarship funds towards BC educationBC education• Available to high school students entering BC as freshmen majoring in aAvailable to high school students entering BC as freshmen majoring in a STEM programSTEM program• Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, GeologyGeology,, Math, Physics Math, Physics

Geology at BC :Geology at BC :• Currently 45 declared geology majors attending BCCurrently 45 declared geology majors attending BC• Typical lectures 2-days/week averaging 60-80 students/classTypical lectures 2-days/week averaging 60-80 students/class• Typical lab activities (supporting lecture) 1-day/week averaging 24 students/classTypical lab activities (supporting lecture) 1-day/week averaging 24 students/class• Geology Club – field trips, fund raiser activities, geologic camaraderieGeology Club – field trips, fund raiser activities, geologic camaraderie• STEM counselor and mentor (CSUB geology student) available for geology studentsSTEM counselor and mentor (CSUB geology student) available for geology students• STEM funded practical application field activities available for geology majors STEM funded practical application field activities available for geology majors • 6 million dollar grant (1 million dollars / yr) – showcase geology lab6 million dollar grant (1 million dollars / yr) – showcase geology lab

Why Geology at Why Geology at Bakersfield College and CSUB Bakersfield?Bakersfield College and CSUB Bakersfield?

• Easy access to sites of geological interest including the San Andreas Easy access to sites of geological interest including the San Andreas Fault, Sierra Nevada, Pacific Coast, Death Valley, oil fields, Fault, Sierra Nevada, Pacific Coast, Death Valley, oil fields, volcanoes, etc.volcanoes, etc.

• Strong geology programs at BC and CSUB that have a long history of Strong geology programs at BC and CSUB that have a long history of collaboration.collaboration.

• Excellent job opportunities for graduates in the local energy industry Excellent job opportunities for graduates in the local energy industry and the natural resources field. and the natural resources field.

• Strong support from theStrong support from the community and throughcommunity and through Federal grants.Federal grants.

CSUB Scholarships for Geology MajorsCSUB Scholarships for Geology Majors•National Science Foundation CREST ScholarshipsNational Science Foundation CREST Scholarships $17,000 per year for undergraduates, plus tuition support.$17,000 per year for undergraduates, plus tuition support.

•AfricaArray Scholarships $5,000 per year and AfricaArray Scholarships $5,000 per year and summer research opportunities supported by Penn State.summer research opportunities supported by Penn State.

•National Science Foundation OEDG Scholarships National Science Foundation OEDG Scholarships $1,500 per year for incoming freshmen from the dual-credit$1,500 per year for incoming freshmen from the dual-credit Classes.Classes.

•Geology students can also apply for additional scholarships Geology students can also apply for additional scholarships are available for all science and math majors.are available for all science and math majors.

Careers in the Geological SciencesCareers in the Geological SciencesMany aspects of geology careers include:Many aspects of geology careers include:

Environmental GeologyEnvironmental Geology Economic GeologyEconomic Geology HydrogeologyHydrogeology Engineering GeologyEngineering GeologyPetroleum GeologyPetroleum Geology Marine GeologyMarine Geology Geomorphology Geomorphology Planetary GeologyPlanetary Geology AcademiaAcademia

Where are geologists currently employed ?Where are geologists currently employed ?

PetroleumPetroleum 43%43%

GovernmentGovernment 18%18%

MiningMining 12%12%

AcademiaAcademia17%17%

EnviornEnviorn8%8%

Mean Annual Salaries of Geoscience ProfessionsMean Annual Salaries of Geoscience ProfessionsM

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Ann

ual S

alar

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100

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ean

Ann

ual S

alar

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100

0

Percent change in Mean Annual SalaryPercent change in Mean Annual Salary (1999 – 2010)(1999 – 2010)

26.8%26.8%

27.2%

18.4%18.4%

Perc

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hang

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Mea

n A

nnua

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ary

Perc

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Mea

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Average change in mean annualAverage change in mean annualsalary for hydrologists, miningsalary for hydrologists, miningengineers, and other geoscienceengineers, and other geosciencerelated occupations increasedrelated occupations increased11.6 % between 1999-2010.11.6 % between 1999-2010.

YearsExperience

HIGH$

AVERAGE$

LOW$

2012 Geological Salary SurveyBased on MS degree

0-20-2

3-53-5

6-96-9

10-1410-14

15-1915-19

20-2420-24

25+25+

110,000110,000

128,000128,000

207,000207,000

195,000195,000

238,000238,000

270,000270,000

300,000300,000

85,00085,000

90,00090,000

107,000107,000

113,000113,000

144,000144,000

150,000150,000

150,000150,000

98,70098,700

109,400109,400

137,300137,300

153,400153,400

193,600193,600

199,200199,200

199,600199,600

The Geological Outlook for the High SchoolerThe Geological Outlook for the High Schooler

GREAT!!!!!GREAT!!!!!• Students need to take high school sciences seriouslyStudents need to take high school sciences seriously and prepare for college level courses.and prepare for college level courses.

• The AS-T geology degree offers a smooth and well The AS-T geology degree offers a smooth and well prepared transition into the CSU geology system.prepared transition into the CSU geology system.

• The BC and CSUB geology program is well linked forThe BC and CSUB geology program is well linked for for geological degree success.for geological degree success.

• Several scholarships and NSF grants are available both Several scholarships and NSF grants are available both at the CC and CSU college levels. at the CC and CSU college levels.

• In the next 5-10 years, there will be more geoscienceIn the next 5-10 years, there will be more geoscience positions than geologists to fill them.positions than geologists to fill them.

• Geoscience annual salaries are expected to continue Geoscience annual salaries are expected to continue rising in the next 5-10 years.rising in the next 5-10 years.

• Students need to acquire the MS degree to maximizeStudents need to acquire the MS degree to maximize both their educational and monetary advantages.both their educational and monetary advantages.

• The geo-workforce currently has 44% employees with The geo-workforce currently has 44% employees with greater than +25 years experience.greater than +25 years experience.