Geology

A postgraduate qualification in Geology from theUniversity of Canterbury offers a wide spectrum of specialisation for employment opportunities.

Geologists at the the University of Canterbury are directly involved in the monitoring, prediction, and assessment of hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. The geologist has an important role in land planning processes and in assessing environmental impact.

Career opportunities

Geology graduates find positions as research scientists, policy analysts, exploration geophysicists, mining and exploration geologists, practitioner engineering geologist with consultancies, natural hazard analysts and consultants, coal and petroleum geologists, teachers, GIS specialists, environmental impact officers and consultants, hydro-geologists, seismic interpreters, resource advisors, research technicians, soil technicians and research assistants, museum curators, and more.

They are employed in the mining and petroleum industries, national and local government, planning and conservation organisations, university teaching and research, secondary teaching, museums and science centres, energy companies, consulting and engineering firms, research institutes, and exploration firms.

Research:

• Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment at UC is one of the top geoscience research departments in the country and, not surprisingly, we are leading the world in our studies of earthquakes. First-year students have their own laboratory for practical classes and teaching staff are readily contactable.
• Field sciences are a distinctive feature of the subjects offered at UC and are supported through a range of field facilities at Cass and Kawatiri Westport. Field studies are carried out in the locations and environments around these field stations.