Affordable
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
Campus will be closed due to scheduled power outage on Friday, December 20. More Information
Geology is the scientific study of Earth’s internal and external processes. Some areas of study include plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, minerals and rocks, paleontology and evolution, landslides and surficial weathering and erosion, groundwater and river systems, glaciers, coastal processes and changes to coastal geologic landscapes, and impacts of climate change on Earth. This is a small list of the intriguing subjects studied in geology.
Geology is a subject that incorporates the disciplines of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics and engineering to name a few. If you wonder about how the Earth works, why the earth looks as it does, or why some areas are more susceptible to earthquakes and volcanoes then geology may be for you.
Geology covers a broad range of ideas that can greatly enhance you carrier options. There are a large range of careers available to students with degrees in geology. Local, state and federal government positions for example positions on state and regional water boards or the Army Corp of Engineers, petroleum and mining geologists, geophysicists and seismologists, and private positions with geotechnical engineering or environmental companies like Jacobs Engineering, URS or AECOM. Teaching positions at universities, colleges, and high schools. Research and science writing, and many more.
While the length of time depends on your chosen interest area (hydrogeology, engineering geology, etc.) programs are generally arranged so that students can finish degrees within 2-4 years depending on the degree sought by the student.
The student in this program is well prepared to transfer to geology programs around the world. Examples are: The University of California System, the California State University system, nearly any State University system, and many private colleges.
IVC Learning Center tutoring programs are available in the Business Science Technology & Innovation Center (BSTIC).
Department Chairs
Sample Academic Plans
Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 2A & Major | 5 |
GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | 5A and Major | 4 |
Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science | Arts or Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences GE Course | 3A or 3B or 4 | 3 |
Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
WR 2 | College Writing Critical Thinking | 1B | 4 |
MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 2A & Major | 5 |
BIOLOGY - TBD** | Various Biology Course or Courses | 3-4 |
Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
MATH 4A | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | 2A & Major | 5 |
Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | 5A and Major | 5 |
PHYS 4A | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4 |
GEOL 2 | Historical Geology | 5A and Major | 3 |
GE or MAJOR | GE or Geology Major Course | Various | 3-4 |
Course | Title | IGETC Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | 5A and Major | 5 |
PHYS 4B and/or 4C | General Physics | 5A and Major | 4-8 |
GE or MAJOR | GE or Geology Major Course | Various | 3-4 |
Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | B4 & Major | 5 |
GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | B1/B3 & Major | 4 |
Learning & Self Dev | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 3 |
Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | Major | 5 |
GEOL 2 | Historical Geology | Major | 4 |
COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Ethnic Studies | Ethnic Studies GE Course | F | 3 |
Arts | Arts GE Course | C1 | 3 |
Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | B1/B3 & Major | 5 |
Humanities | Humantiies GE Course | C2 | 3 |
HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
Course | Title | CSU GE AREA/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | B1/B3 & Major | 5 |
GEOG Major | Geology Major Course from List B | Major | 3 |
PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | C1 or C2 | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
MATH 3A* | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 1C & Major | 5 |
GEOL 1 | Physical Geology | 2 & Major | 3 |
Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
Communication/Thinking | Communication/Analytical Thinking GE Course | 1B | 3-4 |
MATH 3B | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | Major | 5 |
PHYS 2A or 4A | Physics Course | Major | 4 |
GEOL 23 | Natural Disasters | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
GEOL 60, 65, 66, 169 or 181 | Various Geology Field Studies Class (Offered Fall, Spring and Summer) | Major | 1 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
GEOL 2 | Historical Geology | 2 & Major | 4 |
CHEM 1A | General Chemistry I | Major | 5 |
PHYS 2B or 4B | Physics Course | Major | 4 |
GEOL 3 | Geology of California | 3 |
Course | Title | AS GE Area/Major | Units |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM 1B | General Chemistry II | Major | 5 |
Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
Arts/Humanities | Arts or Humanities GE Course | 4 | 3 |
Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2-3 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
AA = Associate of Arts | AS = Associate of Science | AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer | AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer | COA = Certificate of Achievement | COC = Certificate of Completion | COP = Certificate of Proficiency | = Fast Track Career Path
Median Salary
$106,413
Job Growth
-20%
Education
New workers start around $64,423. Normal pay is $106,413 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $190,212.
Median Salary
$106,413
Job Growth
-20%
Median Salary
$162,573
Job Growth
+13%
Education
New workers start around $96,512. Normal pay is $162,573 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $274,124.
Median Salary
$162,573
Job Growth
+13%
Median Salary
$162,573
Job Growth
+13%
Education
New workers start around $96,512. Normal pay is $162,573 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $274,124.
Median Salary
$162,573
Job Growth
+13%
Median Salary
$81,875
Job Growth
-9%
Education
New workers start around $43,317. Normal pay is $81,875 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $151,322.
Median Salary
$81,875
Job Growth
-9%
Median Salary
$105,735
Job Growth
-3%
Education
New workers start around $62,030. Normal pay is $105,735 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $137,369.
Median Salary
$105,735
Job Growth
-3%
Median Salary
$110,198
Job Growth
-20%
Education
New workers start around $65,832. Normal pay is $110,198 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $158,101.
Median Salary
$110,198
Job Growth
-20%
Exploratory Interest Area
Explore Geology while still working toward your academic goals.
Talk with a Counselor
Speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
Why choose IVC?
Quality education should not put you in the red. The cost of attending Irvine Valley College is very low compared to the private, UC, and CSU systems.
With Fast Track Career Paths, at IVC, we give you the tools to quickly enter the workforce and start making money.
Looking to transfer to a four-year university? With the #1 Transfer Rate in California, IVC is the best place to start!