The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has created two new concentrations for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in geology from its Ray P. Authement College of Sciences.
The college’s School of Geosciences has begun offering concentrations in energy resources and paleontology, along with existing concentrations in earth sciences and environmental geology.
The new concentrations are strategic additions designed to address evolving industry needs and “maximize opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Brian Schubert, a professor and interim director of the School of Geosciences.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for geoscientists are projected to increase 5% through 2031.
Geoscientists study and conduct research in the natural sciences that pertain to the Earth. Their work encompasses many areas and fields, including the atmosphere, climatology, energy resources, engineering geology, environmental chemistry, biology, geology, geohydrology, fossils, minerals, mining and oceanography.
In addition to courses tailored to specific concentrations, core courses for UL Lafayette students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in geology include structural geology, field methods, stratigraphy, geophysics and geochemistry.
The curriculum is designed to provide a diversified, comprehensive foundation for graduates, given geoscientists are often relied upon to utilize cross-disciplinary knowledge and training, Schubert said.
An example? “Paleontologists are commonly hired into the energy sector for their expertise in correlating and dating economically viable deposits using fossils preserved in sedimentary rocks,” he explained.
Dr. Jennifer Hargrave is a senior instructor in the School of Geosciences who directs the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Science Museum. She said the multidisciplinary nature of geology makes it suited to a range of students, including those without backgrounds in geology and other earth sciences.
“Geology is a very observational science. Geologists take their experiences and what they see around them to study the Earth,” Hargrave said. “Everything that you've learned, everything that you've done, both inside and outside the classroom, is applicable to the study of the geosciences.”
Read more about the School of Geosciences' new concentrations in paleontology and energy resources.
Photo caption: UL Lafayette’s School of Geosciences has begun offering new concentrations in energy resources and paleontology for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in geology from the Ray P. Authement College of Sciences. Photo credit: Rachel Rafati / University of Louisiana at Lafayette