The
Earth Sciences at Cal Poly provide a basis for understanding and
improving the
use of land, water and atmospheric resources. This
dynamic
program revolves around Soil Science, Geography and Geology.
These applied sciences are enhanced by a number of technique
courses
including remote sensing, geographic information systems
(GIS) and
environmental impact analysis. The result is a
multidisciplinary
degree program that is unique and particularly
marketable.
Employment opportunities abound for Earth Sciences graduates
and are
expanding owing to increasing environmental protocols and
regulations being
enacted at local, national and international
levels. Professionals are needed who can
recognize and responsibly
evaluate problems and then propose workable solutions. In
conjunction with private industry, public agencies requiring the
skills of earth sciences
include:
- U.S.
Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Geological
Survey
- U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
- U.S. Department
of Interior National Park Service
- Office of
Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement
- Armed Services
(intelligence, mapping, environmental mitigation)
- City, County and
State Planning Agencies
- City, County and
State Resource Agencies
- County and State
Park and Recreation Agencies
- County Councils
of Government
- The Peace Corps
The Earth Sciences major
is administered in the Earth & Soil Sciences Department,
and
taught by faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Liberal Arts,
and Sciences
and Mathematics. Selective features of the program
include the following:
- Understanding
of environmental processes.
- Evaluation of
environmental changes and their societal impacts.
- Minimizing human
impacts on fragile ecosystems and sustainable practices.
- Restoration of
resource environments such as watersheds, rangelands,
wetlands
and soils.
- Techniques,
methods, and technologies required for environmental evaluation,
restoration and management.
