Geochemistry Degree

Geochemists are the geologists whose field of study includes learning about the earth’s history by analyzing the chemical make-up of its layers. Geochemistry is an inter-disciplinary branch of science, so applicants come from a large variety of scientific backgrounds in the natural sciences, for example, such as biology, math and earth science. However, the majority of students in geochemistry degree programs have a chemistry undergraduate degree. Geochemistry degrees are usually specialized in graduate-level concentrations in geology or chemistry.

Geochemists Graduation

Geochemistry Degree

After graduation geochemists usually have a wide range of professional options. They are often employed as consultants by oil companies, public or private research institutes and environmental agencies. Even though a master’s degree in geochemistry is sufficient for many jobs, geochemists are more interested in working as researchers are typically expected to have a doctoral degree and to have completed post-graduate field research.

Graduate Program in Geochemistry

The graduate program in geochemistry is usually housed in a department of geology rather than a department of chemistry, but there’re exceptions.

The result of this housing is a program based on application of a firm foundation in chemical principles to geological systems. The inherent interdisciplinary course is enhanced by extensive collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering Ecology.

The majority of graduated geochemists have taken industrial jobs in either environmental or exploration yields but others have entered academic or governmental research groups.

Applicants to geochemistry degree most often hold a BC degree in geology; however, some have degrees in chemistry and a few in other fields. Undergraduate level proficiency is expected in:

General geology
Petrology
Mineralogy
Sedimentology
Physical chemistry (especially thermodynamics),

and in two of inorganic, analytical, or organic chemistry.

Usually there’re two specific geochemistry courses that are required of all students who attain geochemistry degree: an introduction to geochemistry and a survey of geochemical analysis.