Want to become a Geologist? Here’s what you should know
Geologists study the physical characteristics of the solid earth and the rocks that make it up. Predicting natural disasters, determining climate patterns, and researching renewable and non-renewable resources are all part of their work. Students interested in these areas can pursue a career as a geologist. Read on to know more.
Courses available
Students interested in pursuing geology after Class 12 can take up undergraduate (BSc.) course in the subject. The course will offer students an insight into structural geology, physical geology and geomorphology to name a few.
Institutes for geology
Some of the popular institutes in India where students can pursue geology courses are Hansraj College, New Delhi, Fergusson College, Pune, Ram Lal Anand College, New Delhi, Presidency College, Chennai, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Parul University, Vadodara and Dibrugarh University, Assam, among others.
Subjects taught in geology
Structural geology, physical geology and geomorphology, paleontology, economic geology, mineralogy, crystallography and mineral optics, stratigraphy, hydrogeology and environmental geology, engineering geology and mining geology as well as exploration geology and remote sensing are some of the prominent subjects taught as part of the geology course at the graduate level.
Eligibility criteria
For admission to the undergraduate courses, students should have completed Class 12 with 55% aggregate in the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics stream with English as one of the subjects. Reserved category candidates are offered a five per cent seat relaxation as per government rules. Students also need to appear for the entrance exams conducted by the respective university for admission into UG courses. Some of these tests include Banaras Hindu University Undergraduate Entrance Test (BHU-UET), Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test (PUBDET), Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Examination (UPSEE) and Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET).
Career options
Geologists can work in colleges, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. They are likely to find excellent job prospects in both the commercial and public sectors. The UPS (Union Public Service Commission) holds different exams to appoint Geologists in government agencies such as the GSI (Geological Survey of India) and the CGWB (Central Government Workforce Board) (Central Groundwater Board). Apart from that, businesses such as ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation), Coal India Limited, Hindustan Zinc Limited, MECL (Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited), and others also hire geologists.