地质学是对地球材料，结构和过程以及它们如何随时间变化的研究。这些知识可用于勘探自然资源，包括金属，石油和水，了解地震，火山和滑坡等自然灾害，解决与环境污染相关的问题，以及调查地球的历史以了解生命和生物的演化。全球气候变化。地质学家受雇于自然资源公司，环境咨询公司，政府机构，非营利组织和大学。
Geology is the study of Earth's materials, structures and processes and how they’ve changed through time. This knowledge may be applied to exploration for natural resources, including metals, petroleum and water; understanding natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides; addressing problems associated with environmental contamination; and investigating Earth’s history to understand the evolution of life and global climate change. Geologists are employed by natural resource companies, environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities.Core courses provide the fundamentals in:physical and historical geologymineralogy and petrographystructural geology and plate tectonicssedimentology, paleontology and stratigraphyDegree program can be tailored to a major field of interest by taking additional courses in the supporting sciences, mathematics and engineering fields.Geology and environmental science students gain the skills necessary to compete in the workforce or continue in a graduate program. Students are provided opportunities through research-orientated courses, paid laboratory assistantships and summer internships to gain practical professional experience. Summer Field Camp in South Dakota and Wyoming further provides students practical experience in geology.