Because the geology and geosciences encompass the entire Earth, it's important to get a solid education in as many aspects of the field as possible while focusing on the area youre most interested in. Earth and Space Science Education: When you graduate with this emphasis, youll be prepared to teach regular high school biology, chemistry and physics as well as either and space science at both regular and honors levels in Illinois. Geology is the study of the earth, its materials and the processes acting upon them. As a geology student, youll study topics that include paleontology, volcanology, earthquake seismology, plate tectonics and groundwater flow. You also might work alongside faculty who trek across the globe conducting some of the most important research of our time.