Geology

Why Study Geology?

Geology is the study of the physical processes of the Earth. Geologists focus on a wide range of topics, including surface and sub-surface Earth dynamics, tectonic processes, the history of life and its evolution, mineral resources, and environmental assessment. Geological research contributes to our understanding of the Earth as a physical system and as the foundation for all life on the planet.

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What Will I Learn?

Geology students can specialize in environmental geology, structural geology, petroleum geology, paleontology, and marine geology. Geology graduates are well prepared for a wide range of professional careers. Many of our alumni have gone on to pursue successful careers in the oil and gas industry, mining, resource management, and environmental analysis.

Geology students participate in a summer field course in Colorado coordinated by Southern Miss Geology faculty. The course provides students with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand field experience with the geology of the Rocky Mountains.

A Broad-Based Degree in Geology

Southern Miss Geology offers students a wide variety of courses and field experiences that will prepare them well in their post-graduate careers. Most courses contain lab and field components that reinforce their classroom learning. Geology faculty members represent all of the major sub-fields within the discipline and geology students can choose from a broad range of courses according to their interests.

 

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology, housed in the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi are designed to prepare a student to sit for licensure in Mississippi. However, licensure is dependent upon fulfillment of additional post-graduation requirements. In compliance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations on professional licensure, the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences is required to make the following disclosure with respect to professional licensure outside the state of Mississippi. The School cannot confirm whether a particular program meets requirements for professional licensure outside of the State of Mississippi. Please contact the applicable licensure board(s) in any state you may want to pursue licensure prior to beginning the academic program in order to determine whether the program meets licensure requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm program eligibility for licensure in any state outside Mississippi. For the contact information of the state licensing boards, please review the National Association of State Boards of Geology Member Boards web page.

For more information about professional licensure in Geology, please contact: Dr. Frank Heitmuller (Franklin.HeitmullerFREEMississippi).

 

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