Bachelor's in Geology Degree

Why pursue a Geology degree?

Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 15
Spring:: Dec. 15
Summer:: May 1

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Geologists take the best from other sciences and apply it to the study of Earth. They investigate Earth materials, the properties and structures of those materials, Earth processes and evolution, the history of our planet, and natural hazards and related phenomena.

The metals that go into our electronics. The energy that powers our society. The fundamental answers about the nature of our planet itself. Geologists are responsible for helping find each of these things, as well as answers about the fundamental forces that made our planet.

Geology Degree Research Opportunities

Our students enjoy excellent and dedicated faculty, small classes, and are provided many opportunities for hands-on experiences, including a five-week field camp. Much of geology is done outdoors, and most of our classes involve field work that takes students and instructors to spectacular places in our region.

10-day spring trips provide opportunities to study geology in farther away places. Recent trips have gone to the warm southwest, to Hawaii, and to Belize. Our faculty interests span the globe, and students have the opportunity to join faculty in research projects, including, most recently, projects in Antarctica.

All students compete authentic research projects and write a senior thesis, so they develop the skills need for successful careers after college.

Geology Degree Concentrations

You can select one of the following areas to specialize in:

Earth Science

Planet Earth is at a crucial point in its history. Leaders in the field of earth science will be on the forefront of ensuring its future. Earth scientists combine geology, physics, oceanography, meteorology and astronomy to help better understand nature's forces all around us. With the growing need for energy, environmental protection and responsible land and resource management, companies and government agencies continue to seek earth sciences expertise. If studying our planet fascinates you, a Geology degree with a specialization in earth sciences can be a rewarding path.

Paleontology

Stand out in this profession. Not many people specialize in paleontology. You could work in museums, universities, oil and gas. Paleontology isn’t just about dinosaurs You'll learn about different types of prehistoric creatures, from trilobites to mammoths and how they evolved. By studying past extinctions and climate changes, paleontology will help you predict what might happen to life on Earth in the future, for example how species adapt to global warming.

Petroleum Geology

This expertise is highly sought after by industries and government agencies that find and produce the oil that fuels today’s economies. Furthermore, it has become equally important to train replacements for an aging workforce in this important technological area. The concentration in Petroleum Geology is designed to prepare you for careers as a petroleum geologist.

Water Resources

The concentration in Water Resources is designed to prepare you for careers such as hydrogeologist, hydrologist, environmental geologist and environmental engineer. Expertise provided by this concentration includes aspects of hydrogeology, groundwater contamination and remediation, water quality and lab analysis and cold region hydrology. This expertise is highly sought after by industries and government agencies that deal with critical water resources and environmental problems.

UND's Geology Degree

Gain the skills necessary to launch your career in industry, teaching or government, or pursue advanced study.
Undergrads are eligible for more than a dozen scholarships specifically earmarked for students in the Harold Hamm School of Geology and Geological Engineering.
The four-story, 70,000-square-foot Leonard Hall is specifically designed for geology and geo engineering.
Network, travel and find other opportunities by joining clubs such as the Association of University of North Dakota Geologists or Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the national geoscience honor society.
Access the largest geoscience library in the upper Midwest, which contains 100,000 maps and 50,000 volumes.
Travel to exotic geological formations on 10-day spring break excursions with student clubs.

What can you do with a Geology degree?

93k

Median annual salary for geoscientists, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

5%

Projected job outlook for geoscientists through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A geology degree is the gateway to careers in a wide range of fields. A B.S. degree in geology can lead to professional careers in the public or private sectors.

Typical careers include:

Geologist
Government Regulatory Agencies
Operations geologist
Biostratigrapher
Natural Resource Production Conservation
Environmental Protection
Senior geologist
Maturation geologist
Structural geologist
Sedimentologist
Stratigrapher

Employers include:

Environmental and engineering geology companies
Federal government
Laboratories
Mining and mineral industries
Oil and gas industry
State geological surveys
Universities and colleges
High schools and middle schools

Geology Degree Jobs

Geology alumni have gone on to a variety of successful careers with:

Center for Energy and Environment
Big Rock Exploration, LLC
Insight Environmental, Inc.
North Dakota State Water Commission

Geology Degree Courses

Online Geology Degree

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

UND is a top choice for an online Geology degree for flexibility and affordability. Plus, all online students pay the same affordable online Geology degree tuition regardless of their residency.

Flexible Online Geology Degree Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Campus Visit

While the majority of your courses are offered online, you’ll come to campus to complete portions of the program. Here, you’ll extend and apply the knowledge you’ve learned online through hands-on activities. Our students find tremendous value in having the opportunity to personally interact with their instructors and fellow students.

Summer Lab Requirements

Top-Tier Online Geology Degree

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

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Pursuing a bachelor's in Geology is undoubtedly worthwhile, offering a gateway to diverse career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, the analytical and problem-solving skills gained through a geology program are valuable assets that can contribute to success in various fields.

Typically, an online Geology degree takes around four to five years, with the program at the UND specifically designed to be completed in four years, providing a comprehensive and efficient academic experience. But it does depend on the number of credits taken each semester.

An online Geology degree opens doors to various career paths, including roles such as geologist, operations geologist, environmental protection specialist, hydrologist, and more. Graduates can find opportunities in natural resource production, conservation and governmental regulatory agencies, energy exploration, etc., showcasing the versatility of a Geology degree.

Admission requirements same for all undergraduate students at UND. Depending on if you are a new freshman student or a transfer student the requirements will vary slightly, but there are not any extra requirements to choose this major specifically. But you should have a good GPA, be motivated to learn and apply science, and be in good academic standing.

The online Geology program at UND ensures students have the option to receive valuable hands-on experience. Students engage in authentic research projects, write senior theses and collaborate with faculty on global research initiatives, providing practical skills for successful careers in geology. The online degree does require attendance at a geology Field Camp (from UND or other institutions), and there are often field trips or spring trips to diverse locations that online students can join. As for geology labs, there are two required labs that are offered in a condensed one week in person format, but they are also offered online for those that cannot attend in person.

Leaders in Geology

By visiting sites across North Dakota geology students can learn through hands-on experience.