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Contact UsSite IndexSearchDepartment HomepageAllen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology
Department of Geology and Geography
Students
Students
Approximately fifty-three Geology majors and fifty Geography majors in the degree, as well as a number of students minoring in Geology and/or Geography and/or GIS, comprise an active, coherent peer group (numbers current as of 2009).
Petrology and Economic Mineralogy combined fieldtrip.
These majors maintain and operate
the Geo Club, a tutoring program for
freshman 
Geology,
and work in various career-related jobs in the Department of Geology
and Geography. Approximately 54% of our graduates attend graduate
school after graduation, including students who have attended
Auburn University, Texas Christian University, University of Arizona,
Colorado State University, Montana State University, Southwest Louisiana State University, Clemson, Vanderbilt, and
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Other majors join the work force immediately upon graduation performing
well in a variety of work environments including the traditional
petroleum and metallic and industrial minerals fields. However,
more graduates now gain immediate employment in the environmental
evaluation and engineering firms. The broad science-based curriculum
of our programs provide a solid educational background, diverse
skills and problem solving capabilities which are attractive to
many prospective employers.
Geology majors Jake Jones, Michelle Thompson, and Sara Helfrich
slogging it out in the Mineralogy lab.
Degree Information
Geology
and Geography Degrees
The Department of Geology and Geography currently offers a B.A. and a B.S. in Geology and Minors in both programs. A proposal brought before the Board of Regents to initiate a B. S. in Geography was successful in the Fall of 1997. Departmental philosophy currently views these degree tracks in the following ways:
Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Geology and Geography Department
at Georgia Southern has always valued its B.A.
Degree in Geology and the new B.A. in
Geography as solid liberal-arts type of science degree sappropriate
for many students. With the reform movements in improving Science
Education, The Department has revitalized the B.A. Degree as an
alternative route to teacher certification by presenting a solid
background in the Sciences and a Minor in Education courses. Students
entering this study track will complete all requirements for teacher
certification except for Student Teaching.
BA in Geology degree requirements Click here
to see a 4-year graduation flow chart for this degree.
BA in Geography degree requirements Click here to see a 4-year graduationflow chart for this degree.
Bachelor of Science Degrees
- Geology-The B. S. in Geology
requires a matrix of core courses and a core of science and mathematics
courses which include math through Calculus, a year of Chemistry,
a year of Physics, a semester of Biology, and Geology Courses
(Physical and Historical Geology, Mineralogy and Petrology, Stratigraphy
and Sedimentation, Invertebrate Paleontology, Structural Geology,
and Field Methods). A six credit field course requirement must
also be met (click on this
link to find information about field camps in the US). This
rigorous plan of study prepares the student for Graduate School
or employment as a professional Geologist.
BS in Geology degree requirements Click here to see a 4-year graduation flow chart for this degree.
- Geography - The B. S. in
Geography requires a matrix of core courses and a core of
science and mathematics courses which include math through The
Calculus, a year of Chemistry, a year of Physics, a semester
of Biology, and other Courses. This rigorous plan of study prepares
the student for Graduate School or employment as a professional
Geographer.
BS in Geography degree requirements Click here to see a 4-year graduation flow chart for this degree.
Minors
Scholarships and Awards in the Department
H. Stanley
Hanson Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Department of Geology
and Geography at Georgia Southern. It honors the career and services
of former Department Head, H. Stanley Hanson. The purpose is to
provide a means by which outstanding geology majors can be recruited,
recognized and assisted. Criteria for selection include enrollement
full-time (12 hours per semester) as a geology major, completion
of at least 50 hours of academic courses, minimum Geology GPA
of 3.0, and a minimum of 10 hours of Geology. For more information
about this scholarship and application packet, please contact:
the Department office at (912) 478-5361 or stop by to pick up a packet for yourself. Deadline for submission of completed
application is one month prior to Honors Day which is normally
held the first week in April.
APPLICATION DEADLINE is typically late February each year. Check with the office for the deadline for this year.
Recent recipients of the
Hanson Scholarship
1993 - W. Gray Dean and R. Bryan Hughes
1994 - Eric J. Wallin and Rodney L. Kirkland
1995 - Stewart A. Dixon
1996 - Heath P. Rasco
1997 - None
1998 - Kevin M. Collins and Tracy A. Zayac
1999 - Issac D. Standard
2000 - Nancy M. Holt
2001 - None
2002 - Luke A. Davis
2003 - Luke A. Davis
2004 - Jessica Hatton and Susan Howell
2005 - Jake Ball
2006 - None
2007 - Jordan Copeland
2008 - Abigail Cramer
2008 - Andrea McHugh
2009 - Crawford White
Good Geography
Scholarship
The Daniel Good Geography Scholarship was established in 1997
by Dr. Daniel Good, a professor of geography at Georgia Southern
University, who began his teaching career at the university in
1969. The scholarship is funded by donations from family and supporters
of Daniel Good. The purpose of the scholarship is to recognize
and award outstanding students in the field of geography. Criteria
for selection include:
interest in the discipline of geography
full-time enrollment as a Geography major in the BS, BA, and BSED
with a major in geography programs
completion of at least 50 semester hours of academic credit (30
hours at GSU) with a minimum of unadjusted GPA of 3.0
completion of at least 10 semester hours of credit in geography
with a minimum geography GPA of 3.0
personal character
The applicant must submit a completed Application for Academic Scholarship with a cover letter including a statement of interests, self-evaluation, and anticipated graduation date. Two letters of recommendation and an official transcript must accompany the application.
The recipient will be selected
by the Department of Geology and Geography Committee. The winner
will be announced on Honors Day and will receive an award up to
$1000.00 for the following academic year. An application can be
obtained by contacting the Department of Geology and Geography,
P. O. Box 8149, Georgia Southern University. For additional information,
please call (912) 478-5361. Deadline for submission of completed
application is one month prior to Honors Day which is normally
held the first week in April.
APPLICATION DEADLINE is typically late February each year. Check with the office for the deadline for this year.
Recipients of the Good Scholarship
2003 - Susan Meredith Howell
2004 - Charles Edwards
2005 - None
2006 - None
2007 - Kelly Bickers
2008 - Nancy Page
2008 - Melanie Barron
2009 - None
Petkewich
Service Award
This account was established in honor of Dr. Petkewich. Dick's
many years of unselfish contributions of time, effort, and expertise
were central to the development of the Department and the Georgia
Southern Museum. Contributions to this account will generate funds
that can be awarded to recipients of the award.
Department
Awards
Department awards are given annually to deserving students at
the GeoParty held at the end of the spring semester. Recipients
of these awards are nominated by Departmental faculty.
| Outstanding Geology Student | Outstanding Geography Student | Good
Citizen Award for Service |
Burning the Midnight Oil Excellence in Research Award |
|
Tracy A. Zayac Anna J. Austin H. Patrice Cook Luke A. Davis Susan M. Howell Jessica L. Van der Maas Joel A. Trainor
|
Claudia J. McAllan William K. Brooks Michael H. Robinson S. Meredith Howell Michael H. Robinson Jennifer L. Carpenter |
Jason Stringer 2000-2001 Tracey Tapley 2001-2002 Jake Jones 2002-2003 Jessica Hatton Matt Hampton 2003-2004 Jacob B. Ball 2004-2005 Joel A. Trainor 2005-2006 Paula Rowland Abigail Cramer Jordan Copeland 2006-2007 Abigail Cramer 2007-2008 William Spence 2008-2009 |
Issac Standard John Mneickowski Jessica E. Mannering |
Other Scholarships and Research Competitions
Students can apply for other scholarships and awards (on and off
campus) for travel to professional meetings and field camps. Click
on the links below to obtain more information.
- Academic Excellence, COST, Georgia Southern University
- The Jack Kleinman Internship for Volcano Research
- AIPG scholarship - download information
- AWG Scholarships - click on this page for information about a variety of scholarships for women
- Sigma Xi - Follow link on Biology page to contact the officers for more information.
- National Association for Geoscience Teachers - Summer field camp scholarships.
- SE section, Geological Society of America Travel Award - Travel money to regional SE GSA meetings.
- Geological Society of America Undergraduate Research Grants - Money to partially fund your senior thesis project.
- Other Geological Society of America grants - Money to attend field trips held during GSA meetings (national and regional).
- Legislative Wild Game Supper held annually in Atlanta each January. Application deadline in October.
- Association for Women Geoscientist
Crawford Field Camp Scholarships -AWG is pleased to announce
the inauguration of the Maria Luisa Crawford Field Camp Scholarships
in coordination with the National Association of Geoscience Teachers
(NAGT), who have been distributing field camp scholarships for
nearly 30 years. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded to promising
women students who will be attending field camp during the summer
of each year. Application forms and instructions can be found at:
http://nagt.org/nagt/programs/field_scholarships.html The application deadline is in mid February each year. For additional
information contact: AWG Crawford Field Camp Scholarship Chairperson
Alice L. Hoersch, Ph.D. hoersch@lasalle.edu, 215-951-1269 (voice) - AWG Minority Scholarship- $5,000 (May 15, 2006) This program encourages young minority women to pursue an education and later a career in the geosciences. It provides financial aid, but also matches the student with a mentor in the same field who will offer guidance and support. This exchange will enhance the student's experience and ease her transition into the working world. http://www.awg.org
- AGI Minority Geosciences Student
Scholarships
For minorities students majoring in geosciences, including the geosciences sub disciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, meteorology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth-science education. http://www.agiweb.org/mpp/ - AAPG Grants-In-Aid Donald
R. Boyd Memorial Grant
(Restriction - for study at universities located within geographic boundaries of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Sciences) - Black Excel one of the largest databases of scholarships and resources for African American students. - http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm
- African American Scholarships find scholarships by state, major and academic level. - http://www.africanamericanscholarship.com
- National Society of Black Engineers: Scholarships - http://www.nsbe.org/programs/
- Scholarships for African Americans - http://www.free-4u.com/african.htm
- Science Research Scholarship Awards for African American students, with junior standing who are pursuing a degree in life or physical sciences - http://www.uncf.org/merck/programs/undergrd.htm
- Please check the link called internships for further information
Careers in Geology
Do you find geology fascinating and do you love to work outdoors? Then you may want to consider a career in geology. Believe it or not, there ARE jobs out there. The market for some jobs is soft, but for others it is very hot, especially if you combine a geology degree with certain job skills which are in high demand. You can even find jobs in a soft market if you have skills that are in short supply and if you have a high GPA. Listed below are some of the areas in which you can currently find employment and some of the skills that are in high demand.
Places of employment
* environmental consulting companies
* engineering consulting companies
* local & state planning agencies
* industry - environmental specialists
* U.S. Geological Survey
* state geological surveys
* oil and gas companies
* mining companies
Hot Job Skills
* Geographical Information Systems
(GIS)
* computer skills & software knowledge(presentation, HTML,
graphics, spreadsheets, & word-processing)
* knowledge of water resources (i.e. hydrology)
* bioremediation as it pertains to groundwater cleanup
* report writing
* oral presentations
* a good GPA!!
Should you possess several skills which
are "hot" and also have a good GPA, then getting a job
with a geology degree should not be a problem. Remember, the fewer
"hot" skills that you possess and the lower your GPA,
then the more difficult it will be to land a job in a competitive
market. Many entry level jobs require only a bachelor's degree,
but some require a master's degree, hence, you eventually may
want to consider graduate school. Of course, many people work
in a job for a few years and then go to graduate school, and some
never do. Whatever the case, decisions about graduate school certainly
don't need to be made now!! For more detailed information on careers
in geology and our geology department, it is highly recommended
that you check out the following websites:
http://www.agiweb.org/agi/ehr/careers.html
http://www.agiweb.org/agi/careers.html
http://www.agiweb.org/career/faq.html#3.1
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/eworks/
http://www.anu.edu.au/psychology/Academia/geol.htm
http://gs.ucsd.edu/geojobs/main.cfm
http://www.gjc.org/
htttp://www.hotjobs.com
nature.pdf
Looking for Jobs in the Coastal Region ?? Click
here
If you think you might be interested in becoming a geology major,
then talk to your instructor about our program and what types
of study options there are. If you're still interested, then your
instructor can give you the necessary form to change your major.
Whatever you decide, we wish you the best. Good luck!!
