Geology Enrollments and Job Prospects Up
03/10/2011
The Geology Department is just finishing up it's Five Year Self Study with two external reviewers Friday, from Geology Departments at SUNY Geneseo and St. Lawrence University, visiting this past Friday. While their final report is not complete, the reviewers were impressed with our program. In compiling data for the department report, it became clear how fast our enrollments are increasing. The Geology Department is now handling more students than in any year since 1988 (from the 1988 - 1993 Self Study Report).
While we attribute the recent increases to our enthusiastic faculty, and increased undergraduate field and research opportunities, geology students have excellent job prospects. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics :
"Employment growth of 18 percent is expected for geoscientists and hydrologists between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and water management will spur employment demand. Employment in management, scientific, and technical consulting services should continue to grow as more geoscientists work as consultants" (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition www.bls.gov/oco/ocos312.htm).
Number of Geology majors by degree type, Fall semesters 2005 to 2010 (all data from Office of Institutional Resources).
Number of Geology degrees granted by degree type, academic years 2006 to 2010
Total enrollment for Geology courses, Fall semesters, 2005 to 2010.
Enrollment for Physical Geology course, Fall semesters 2005 to 2010. This course gives General Education credit and is the first required course in the major sequence.
Enrollment in Geology Core courses by academic year, 2005 to 2010. Core courses are the upper division geology courses required for most majors.
Enrollment in Geology Field Excursion courses. Fall semesters 2005 to 2010. These include regional multi-day and local excursions.
