Information sheet
GEOLOGY
Geology
Reading the land –
understanding the Earth
“My time studying earth sciences at
Otago was fascinating, challenging
and exceptionally rewarding. The
skills, experiences and degree I
gained enabled me to explore the
world in a manner I never anticipated
while studying.”
Jeremy Kilner BSc(Hons)
Geophysicist, Raglan Mine, Nunavik, Québec
GEOLOGY is the science of the Earth – it reveals
the origins of our planet, and our own beginnings.
We need to understand our ancient and dynamic
Earth because it provides all the ingredients that sustain
our existence.
Geology is a foundation of global ecology – as
human impacts increase, geology guides the balance
between our use and conservation of Earth materials.
The Otago Geology course explores Earth’s evolving
environment, natural hazards, and resources. It also
considers impacts and solutions to pollution and waste
disposal, to major civil engineering problems, and to the
effects of global change arising from our activities on
the planet.
YOUR PLACE IN THE WORLD
0800 80 80 98
www.otago.ac.nz
txt 866
[email protected]
WHY STUDY GEOLOGY?
BACKGROUND REQUIRED
Discover the ancient and active building
blocks of our planet and you’ll never see
Earth the same way again!
First-year papers introduce the earth
sciences and assume no previous study in
geology. Most of all, you need enthusiasm,
drive, and motivation. Students considering
geology are encouraged to take senior high
school science and mathematics courses.
The geology curriculum at Otago includes
required papers in maths and at least one
other science.
Interact with a small friendly department
that’s committed to excellent teaching and
welcomes you as part of our community.
Enjoy fieldwork outdoors around the South
Island, from the Alps to the sea.
Experience small-group study, building
personal skills and forming lifelong friendships
and memories.
Integrate geoscience with many other
subjects to gain a more holistic overview of
the Earth.
Geology is a great background for all science
degrees!
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
A degree in Geology opens many doors.
Geology students at Otago graduate with
data-handling, problem-solving, and teamwork
skills that are applicable to a wide range of
careers. As a Geology graduate, you may
choose to:
• Manage soil and groundwater resources
• Assess natural hazards
• Explore for energy and mineral resources
• Pursue a teaching career
• Conduct engineering site investigations
• Research Earth processes and history
• Conduct oceanographic and Antarctic
research
profile
A Geology degree opens your eyes to the
dynamic processes that formed the structure
and surface of the Earth, and are modelling it
to this day. You learn to recognise and apply
the basic building blocks of Earth – rocks,
minerals, and fossils. Maps and field studies
introduce landforms and their underlying
geological foundations. You examine
circulation patterns of the Earth’s interior,
atmosphere, and oceans. Project work
develops your skills in writing, collaborative
problem-solving, and computing (word
processing, graphics, analytical methods),
building your mastery of observation and
interpretation from molecular to global scales.
Yes! Many subjects combine well with
Geology – such as Anthropology, Botany,
Chemistry, Computing, Geography, Law,
Marine Science, Mathematics, Oceanography,
Physics, Surveying and Zoology.
Choosing your 100-level papers carefully will
ensure you have the right background for
200- and 300-level Geology papers.
WHAT ABOUT FURTHER STUDY?
Otago offers a variety of postgraduate
opportunities at Honours, Master’s, and
PhD levels, and our graduates are competitive
for advanced study at institutions around
the world.
In addition to Geology, Otago has
active Masters programmes in Applied
Geology, Geophysics, Marine Science, and
Environmental Sciences. Students with Otago
postgraduate qualifications travel and work
worldwide.
HOW WILL I STUDY?
Geology is a hands-on science, so you get
more personal attention than in most other
subjects. We value you as a person, not as
a number! The hallmark of our department
is an integrated field programme that starts
with your very first paper, giving you regular
opportunities to work closely with staff.
We support varied teaching and learning
styles, complementing lectures and case
studies with practical experience in the
laboratory and the field. And since all our
staff are active researchers, your lectures will
include cutting-edge science. Practical work
involves both individual projects and smallgroup studies.
Marama Garland
Marama Garland knew she wanted to study
geology before she left school. That’s one of
the reasons she chose to study at Otago.
“The geology course doesn’t totally focus
on theory; there is a real emphasis on field
work and other practical skills that can equip
you for work in the real world. The papers
are challenging so keep you interested, and
there is a wide variety of papers to give you
plenty of choice within the geology field.”
The smaller classes and frequent field trips
in Geology mean students get to know each
other really well, developing friendships that
last long after the studies are finished.
“We had a really close-knit class and I made
so many good friends from my year in
geology that I still live with them now, even
though I’m living in a different country.”
Marama is now working in Western
Australia as an exploration geologist for
Xstrata Nickel Australasia. She’s doing
May 2014
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
CAN I COMBINE MY GEOLOGY DEGREE WITH
OTHER SUBJECTS?
brownfields (near-mine) exploration, looking
for Nickel-sulfides within ~2.7 billion year
old lava flows in the ultramafic rocks of the
Yilgarn Craton.
“I find that I am applying a lot of my
mapping and 3D visualisation and skills, and
have found that the broad range of subjects
I studied and a solid understanding of
geology fundamentals has been extremely
helpful. My focus on volcanism during my
final year has also come in very handy!”
So is studying Geology a good option?
“In the current climate you can guarantee
that a geology degree will be a useful
qualification. There are jobs for geologists
all over the world, and so long as you are
willing to chase it, there is plenty of money
out there too.”
For questions about Geology
www.otago.ac.nz/geology