UL Lafayette: Geology: Students: Undergraduate Information

Undergraduate Program Information Page

The interdisciplinary nature of the undergraduate degree in Geology prepares students for a wide variety of scientific and technical jobs, especially in the energy industry and in the environmental and consulting fields. The usual professional level degree in geology, however, is the Master's degree; many of our students continue their education by obtaining MS or PhD degrees. For still other students, the geology major is an ancillary part of their career plans, which may include secondary school teaching, a business career, or the practice of law, especially in the field of environmental or water law.

Geology is inherently multidisciplinary. Although it clearly has its own unique subject matter, it involves to a significant extent the application of the principles and methodologies of other sciences to the study of the Earth and the history of life on Earth. Thus an understanding of geology requires a basic background in math, physics, and chemistry as well as familiarity with other fields such as biology and material science. In order to study the Earth itself, however, geologists need thorough training in the application of these different fields to the specific problems in geology as well as in the practical aspects of geological field and laboratory work.

Location, location, location!

If you are interested in studying geology, UL Lafayette offers something especially valuable, in addition to outstanding faculty members and a strong curriculum: location!

It's in Lafayette, the hub of Louisiana's oil industry.

Why is that important?

For starters, several major oil companies have large offices here, and actively support UL Lafayette's Geology Department with money for equipment and scholarships.

They provide access to information for course work and student projects; some of their emplyees are guest lecturers. Many hire UL Lafayette geology students for part-time positions.

Lafayette is also home to a large number of smaller oil companies, oil field service companies, environmental companies, and independent geologists. To give you a perspective of the scope of opportunities, there are more than 600 geologists in Lafayette!

You'll get your hands dirty!

UL Lafayette's Department of Geology emphasizes field experience. South Louisiana - with its rivers, deltas, swamps, marshes, and beaches - is a natural laboratory for studying modern sedimentary processes.

You will also take excursions to other parts of the country to study outcrops of older rocks of all kinds. UL Lafayette-sponsored field trips have been also offered to Mexico, Canada, and Europe. You'll be strongly urged to participate in trips such as these.

You'll be required to attend summer field camp between your junior and senior years. Take a look at our virtual field camp. The department maintains its own field camp, using facilities in Wyoming and South Dakota.

Plenty of Company

One result of a large geological community is a broad range of local organizations which offer technical meetings, short courses, and other support for UL Lafayette geology students.

The Lafayette Geological Society, the Southwest Louisiana Geophysical Society, the Lafayette chapter of the Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists, and the Lafayette chapter of the Society of Professional Well Log Analysts all hold monthly meetings, which are open to students. The meetings usually include a technical presentation.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon, the national geological honor society, has a chapter at UL Lafayette. There is also an and active student geological society.

The Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies holds its annual convention in Lafayette every few years. The convention offers a chance to network with geology professionals in addition to providing extra learning opportunities.

In order to reduce paper consumption, we have provided all of our undergraduate information online. If for some reason you are unable to access the following information, please contact us and we can provide you with some of the material in paper form. Because we are able to provide you with so much more information through the web, we encourage you to browse through our website.

UL Lafayette Geology Information

UL Geology Faculty
UL Geology Facilities
Undergraduate Degree Program in Geology
Required Courses (PDF)

UL Lafayette Information

Information for Prospective Students: this link has it all! Admissions and Enrollment Services, How to Apply, Admissions Requirements, Visiting UL Lafayette, Schedule of Classes, Academic Scholarships, Financial Aid, and Student Affairs.
Or, if all this is too slow for you, you can apply on-line NOW!

Are you interested? Need more information?
Contact us at geology@louisiana.edu or see our full contact information here! If you happen to be in the area, just swing by!

Contact our Undergraduate Advisor:
Dr. Timothy Duex
Email: tduex@louisiana.edu
Phone: 337-482-6222
Madison Hall, Room 221A

Document last revised Friday, July 30, 2004 5:06 PM