• Geoscientists and hydrologists study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth, and the Earth's geologic past and present by using sophisticated instruments to analyze the composition of earth, rock, and water.
• Many geoscientists and hydrologists help to search for natural resources such as groundwater, minerals, metals, and petroleum.
• Others work closely with environmental and other scientists to preserve and clean up the environment.
• Geoscientists usually study and work in one of several closely related geosciences fields, including geology, geophysics, and hydrology.
• Geologists study the composition, processes, and history of the Earth.
• They try to find out how rocks were formed and what has happened to them since their formation.
• They also study the evolution of life by analyzing plant and animal fossils.
• Geophysicists use the principles of physics, mathematics, and chemistry to study not only the Earth's surface, but also its internal composition, ground and surface waters, atmosphere, oceans, and magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces.
• Hydrologists study the quantity, distribution, circulation, and physical properties of water and the water cycle.
• Within these major geoscience fields, there are numerous subspecialties.
  • For example, petroleum geologists map the subsurface of the ocean or land as they explore the terrain for oil and gas deposits. They use sophisticated instrumentation and computers to interpret geological information.
  • Engineering geologists apply geologic principles to the fields of civil and environmental engineering, offering advice on major construction projects and assisting in environmental remediation and natural hazard-reduction projects.
  • Mineralogists analyze and classify minerals and precious stones according to their composition and structure, and study the environment surrounding rocks in order to find new mineral resources.
  • Sedimentologists study the nature, origin, distribution, and alteration of sediments, such as sand, silt, and mud. These sediments may contain oil, gas, coal, and many other mineral deposits.
  • Paleontologists study fossils found in geological formations to trace the evolution of plant and animal life and the geologic history of the Earth.
  • Stratigraphers examine the formation and layering of rocks to understand the environment which formed them.
  • Volcanologists investigate volcanoes and volcanic phenomena to try to predict the potential for future eruptions and hazards to human health and welfare.
  • Glacial geologists study the physical properties and movement of glaciers and ice sheets.
  • Geochemists study the nature and distribution of chemical elements in groundwater and earth materials.
  • Geophysicists specialize in areas such as geodesy, seismology, and magnetic geophysics.
  • Geodesists study the Earth's size, shape, gravitational field, tides, polar motion, and rotation.
  • Seismologists interpret data from seismographs and other geophysical instruments to detect earthquakes and locate earthquake-related faults.
  • Geomagnetists measure the Earth's magnetic field and use measurements taken over the past few centuries to devise theoretical models that explain the Earth's origin.
  • Paleomagnetists interpret fossil magnetization in rocks and sediments from the continents and oceans to record the spreading of the sea floor, the wandering of the continents, and the many reversals of polarity that the Earth's magnetic field has undergone through time
• Hydrologists often specialize in either underground water or surface water.
  • They examine the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, its movement through the Earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere. Hydrologists use sophisticated techniques and instruments.
  • For example, they may use remote sensing technology, data assimilation, and numerical modelling to monitor the change in regional and global water cycles.
  • Some surface-water hydrologists use sensitive stream-measuring devices to assess flow rates and water quality.
• Oceanographers use their knowledge of geosciences, in addition to biology and chemistry, to study the world's oceans and coastal waters.
  • They study the motion and circulation of ocean waters; the physical and chemical properties of the oceans; and how these properties affect coastal areas, climate, and weather.
• Geoscientists in research positions with the Government or in colleges and universities frequently are required to design programs and write grant proposals in order to fund their research.
• Geoscientists in consulting jobs face similar pressures to market their skills and write proposals so that they will have steady work.

• The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and water management will spur employment demand.
• Employment in management, scientific, and technical consulting services should continue to grow as more geoscientists work as consultants.
• These services have increased their hiring of geoscientists in recent years because of increased government contracting and private corporations' need for technical assistance and environmental management plans.
• Moreover, many geoscientists and hydrologists monitor the quality of the environment, checking for problems such as deteriorating coastal environments and soil and water contamination—all of which will create employment growth for them.
• An expected increase in highway building and other infrastructure projects will also be a source of jobs for engineering geologists.
• Many geoscientists work in the exploration and production of oil and gas.
• Historically, employment of petroleum geoscientists has been cyclical and affected considerably by the price of oil and gas.
• When prices are low, oil and gas producers curtail exploration activities and may lay off geologists.
• When prices are high, companies have the funds and incentive to renew exploration efforts and to hire geoscientists in larger numbers.
• In the long term, continued high oil prices are expected to maintain demand for workers who can find new resource deposits.
• Geoscientists who speak a foreign language and who are willing to work abroad should enjoy the best opportunities, as the need for energy, construction materials, and a broad range of geosciences expertise grows in developing nations.
• Demand for hydrologists should also be strong as the population increases and moves to more environmentally sensitive locations.
• Hydrologists also will be needed to study hazardous-waste sites and determine the effect of pollutants on soil and ground water so that engineers can design remediation systems.
• Increased government regulations, such as those regarding the management of storm water, and issues related to water conservation, deteriorating coastal environments, and rising sea levels also will stimulate employment growth for these workers.
• Graduates with a master's degree in geosciences should have excellent opportunities, especially in consulting firms and in the oil and gas industry.
• Without increases in the number of students earning master's degrees in the geosciences, job openings may exceed the number of qualified jobseekers.
• However, geoscientists with doctoral degrees, who primarily work as college and university faculty or do research, may face competition.
• There are few openings for new graduates with only a bachelor's degree in geosciences, but these graduates may have favourable opportunities in related occupations, such as high school science teacher or science technician.
• Job prospects for hydrologists should be favourable, particularly for those with field experience.
• Demand for hydrologists who understand both the scientific and engineering aspects of waste remediation should be strong.
• Geoscientists may face layoffs during periods of economic recession, but the prices of commodities are a much more important source of volatility; for those working in the oil and gas or mining industries, the cyclical nature of commodity prices determines demand.
• When prices are high, jobs are plentiful, but when prices fall, positions become scarce.

Other occupations related to the physical environment include scientists; Biological scientists; Chemists and material scientists; Environmental scientists and specialists; Physicists and astronomers.

Many geoscientists work in the petroleum and natural gas industry, an industry that also employs numerous other workers whose jobs deal with the scientific and technical aspects of the exploration and extraction of petroleum and natural gas, including Engineering technicians; Engineers; Science technicians; Surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and surveying and mapping technicians.

• Bachelor's degree in Geosciences
• Master's degree in Geosciences
• Ph.D. in Geosciences