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California State University, Chico
College of Natural Sciences

Geology BS

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  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Geology is a hidden gem when it comes to science. It incorporates ideas from all the sciences including chemistry, physics, biology, and more.

It's not just about rocks and mining, it's about understanding how the Earth works and the incredible 3.5-billion-year history of life on this planet. Water, energy, mineral resources, and environmental cleanup all have their foundations in geology. In our program, you'll delve into everything from the way water shapes our landscapes to how mountains formed. But it's not only about the past—you’ll get to explore outdoors, conduct groundbreaking research, and help tackle the environmental challenges we face today.

Two students conversing and taking notes during a science lab

A Rock-Solid Science Curriculum

You will learn about how rocks are formed, deformed, and used to understand deep geologic time to form basins and valuable natural resources. Courses in soils, physics, volcanology, geochemistry, and environmental geology will prepare you for careers in the field and laboratory.

Unearth a Wealth of Opportunities

Our graduates are ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century. They have the skills to excel in boots on a mountainside or a white coat in a lab. Our alumni are making their mark with consulting firms, large companies and organizations, and government agencies like the California Department of Water Resources and the US Geological Survey.

Careers you can explore:

  • Hydrogeology
  • Environmental Geologist
  • Surveying
  • Sustainable Engineering
  • Seismologist
  • Paleontologists
“
Within two years of graduation, I landed a full-time, permanent position as forest geologist on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Dennis Veich (Geology, ’13)

Be Ready to Lead

Our students gain real-world skills they take with them into their careers. They collect and analyze mineral samples for mining exploration or conduct detailed geological mapping in poorly understood areas. Our program is built around outdoor exploration, and you will get a wealth of hands-on experience.

  • A student looks closely at a scientific instrument. Their face is washed in the blue light emanating from the machine.

    Student-Faculty Research

    Be a leader in the field during your undergrad years. You will have research opportunities with professors from a wide range of fields that usually involve working with outside industries to develop connections. Our students can also travel to places like Morocco, South Africa, and France to work alongside faculty on international research opportunities.

  • A presenter at the podium from the women's conference

    Conferences and Presentations

    Conduct important research in your field of interest and have the opportunity to present your findings across the state and country at the California Society for Ecology Restoration and Geological Society of America conferences.

  • Two people searching a rocky area for fossils

    Field Courses and Field Trips

    We know the value of getting hands-on experience, so we offer two-week field courses three times a semester to accommodate students with challenging schedules. And our classroom field trips also take learning outdoors in places like Death Valley, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Bidwell Park, Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, and more.

  • A student conducting research on a running body of water.

    Student Conducts Groundbreaking Research of Lassen’s Volcanic Activity Potential

    Angelica Rodriguez's love for the outdoors earned her a research grant that allowed her to spend her summer conducting environmental research, including data collection trips to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Fast Facts

$65K

Annual starting salary

with BS geology degree

12:1

Student

to faculty ratio  

+50%

of our faculty

have funded research projects by national agencies

Two students looking at samples in an earth science lab

Cultivate Connections that Last

Join the Association of Geological and Environmental Students (AGES) to connect with classmates during organized hikes and camping trips, as well as events to promote student-faculty relations. It is a great way to get involved with the department, interact with your peers, and participate in professional development opportunities.

What is Geology?

a person performing an experiment in a lab setting

Exploration Inside and Outside the Classroom

You will have access to industry-standard technologies, including the Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Discover Stories and More

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