1. Bakersfield College Geology
Jack Pierce –

2. GEOLOGY: Why become a geologist Preparation for geology
BC-Geology program
Link to CUSB geology
Careers in Geology

3. Why become a geologist:
Are you interested in travel?
Do you enjoy the outdoors and find nature interesting?
Are you concerned about the environment?
Are you interested in how natural processes work?
Have you ever wondered about the natural history of our earth?
Currently, there are more geology positions than folks to fill them.
Entry level salaries can be greater than $90,000 / yr.
Good Geology Travel

4. Types of geology degrees:
AS-T degree (Associate in Science Transfer)
SB-1440 – Student Transform Achievement Reform Act --( )
Enables CC’s and CSU’s to collaborate on AA / AS transfer degrees
Completion of the CC transfer degree allows CSU junior status
Guaranteed CSU admission and program priority
The law prohibits CSU’s from requiring T-students to repeat similar
courses already completed at the community college
Status of BC geology AS-T degree – Pending
BC geology courses currently match CSU courses ---- waiting
for approval.
BS – degree
MS– degree
PhD – degree

5. Preparation for the geology AS-T degree
Suggested High School Prep
Satisfactory Completion
AS-T Geology Degree
Math:
Calculus I and II
Math:
Algebra (2 years)
Geometry
Trigonometry
Courses in geology major:
Physical Geology Lecture/ Lab
Historical Geology Lecture/ Lab
Science Courses:
General Chemistry I and II
General Physics I and II
Science:
Physics or Biology
Earth Science
Recommended for transfer:
General Biology
English:
4 years
Good writing skills!
AS-T Geology degree prepares
student for CSU transfer as junior
AS-T degree grants CSU priority
admission for the geology major

6. Learning Geology at Bakersfield College
Scholarship Opportunities:
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Scholarships
STEM A+PLUS Scholarships funded by NSF
(ACTION + PERSISTENCE + LEADERSHIP + UNDERSTANDING = SUCCESS)
STEM program awarded up to $12,000 in scholarship funds towards
BC education
Available to high school students entering BC as freshmen majoring in a
STEM program
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Geology, Math, Physics
Geology at BC :
Currently 45 declared geology majors attending BC
Typical lectures 2-days/week averaging students/class
Typical lab activities (supporting lecture) 1-day/week averaging 24 students/class
Geology Club – field trips, fund raiser activities, geologic camaraderie
STEM counselor and mentor (CSUB geology student) available for geology students
STEM funded practical application field activities available for geology majors
6 million dollar grant (1 million dollars / yr) – showcase geology lab

7. Bakersfield College and CSUB Bakersfield?
Why Geology at
Bakersfield College and CSUB Bakersfield?
Easy access to sites of geological interest including the San Andreas Fault, Sierra Nevada, Pacific Coast, Death Valley, oil fields, volcanoes, etc.
Strong geology programs at BC and CSUB that have a long history of collaboration.
Excellent job opportunities for graduates in the local energy industry and the natural resources field.
Strong support from the
community and through
Federal grants.

8. CSUB Scholarships for Geology Majors
National Science Foundation CREST Scholarships
$17,000 per year for undergraduates, plus tuition support.
AfricaArray Scholarships $5,000 per year and
summer research opportunities supported by Penn State.
National Science Foundation OEDG Scholarships
$1,500 per year for incoming freshmen from the dual-credit
Classes.
Geology students can also apply for additional scholarships
are available for all science and math majors.

9. Careers in the Geological Sciences
Many aspects of geology careers include:
Environmental Geology Economic Geology Hydrogeology Engineering Geology
Petroleum Geology Marine Geology Geomorphology
Planetary Geology Academia
Where are geologists currently employed ?
Enviorn 8%
Mining
12%
Petroleum
43%
Academia
17%
Government
18%

10. Mean Annual Salaries of Geoscience Professions
Mean Annual Salary X 1000

11. Percent change in Mean Annual Salary (1999 – 2010)
26.8%
Average change in mean annual
salary for hydrologists, mining
engineers, and other geoscience
related occupations increased
11.6 % between
Percent change in Mean Annual Salary
27.2%
18.4%

12. 2012 Geological Salary Survey
Based on MS degree
Years
Experience
HIGH $
AVERAGE $
LOW $
0-2
110,000
85,000
98,700
3-5
128,000
109,400
90,000
195,000
137,300
6-9
107,000
207,000
153,400
10-14
113,000
238,000
193,600
15-19
144,000
270,000
20-24
199,200
150,000
300,000
25+
199,600
150,000

13. GREAT!!!!! The Geological Outlook for the High Schooler
Students need to take high school sciences seriously
and prepare for college level courses.
The AS-T geology degree offers a smooth and well
prepared transition into the CSU geology system.
The BC and CSUB geology program is well linked for
for geological degree success.
Several scholarships and NSF grants are available both
at the CC and CSU college levels.

14. The Geology Outlook is Fantastic!
Students need to acquire the MS degree to maximize
both their educational and monetary advantages.
The geo-workforce currently has 44% employees with
greater than +25 years experience.
Geoscience annual salaries are expected to continue
rising in the next 5-10 years.
In the next 5-10 years, there will be more geoscience
positions than geologists to fill them.
The Geology Outlook
is Fantastic!