Geologists apply their knowledge of the Earth's crust in exploring for minerals and hydrocarbons (for example, oil and gas), developing resources for production, building engineering foundations and stable slopes, and finding and evaluating ground water supplies. 

Geologists often work in teams with geophysicists (see the Exploration Geophysicist occupational profile), engineers (see Geotechnical Engineer and other engineering occupational profiles), landmen and technologists (see the Geological and Geophysical Technologist occupational profile).

In general, geologists:

• collect and interpret rock samples and cores
• classify fossilized life forms, rocks and minerals
• collect and analyze soil and sediment samples in geochemical surveys
• study the effects of erosion, sedimentation and tectonic deformation
• record and interpret geological information from maps, reports, boreholes, well logs, sample repositories, air photos, satellite imagery, geochemical surveys and other sources
• conduct geological surveys, subsurface and field studies
• participate in the study and mitigation of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanos and mud slides
• prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams and reports from field work and laboratory research
• supervise the work of technologists and technicians.

During the various stages of their work, geologists use a wide variety of instruments such as hammers, diamond drills, geopositioning devices, gravity meters, microscopes, spectroscopes and x-ray diffraction equipment. They work with computers, both in the field and in the office. They also need to be familiar with the fundamentals of science (chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics) and business (accounting, economics).

Geologists may work in a variety of areas:

• Coal geologists locate and characterize coal resources and determine their suitability for coal mining and coal bed methane (gas) development.
• Computing geologists develop software applications (for example, database systems, geographic information systems, statistics packages) and use them to analyze data and information.
• Economic geologists locate, evaluate and characterize mineral deposits.
• Engineering geologists analyze geological data to advise government agencies and construction companies on the suitability of locations for buildings, dams, highways, airfields and tunnels. They also work with other engineers in oil and gas and mineral exploration and production and in environmental clean ups.
• Environmental geologists assess the environmental impact of the development or use of mineral, hydrocarbon (oil, gas, coal) and water resources, and assist in restoring disturbed land back to its original condition or to a more valuable land use (reclamation).
• Geochemists study the chemical makeup of minerals, rocks and fluids and their interactions to understand the distribution and migration of materials in the earth's crust.
• Geochronologists determine the ages of rocks by studying the radioactive decay of key elements.
• Geomorphologists examine landforms and processes that cause the earth's surface to change (for example, erosion and glaciation).
• Hydrogeologists study the properties, amount and composition of groundwater and formation waters. They may search for potable water or be involved in environmental issues such as groundwater contamination, landfill siting or liquid waste disposal by deep injection. For more information, see the Hydrologist occupational profile.
• Marine geologists study coastal and marine environments and their evolution, and investigate ocean basins for mineral and petroleum potential.
• Mineralogists analyze, identify and classify minerals and precious stones according to their composition and structure, study the properties of minerals and develop industrial and environmental uses.
• Mining geologists locate, analyze and study the Earth's mineral and rock resources with a view to their efficient and safe exploitation.
• Paleontologists study fossils for a variety of purposes (for example, establishing relative age, petroleum exploration, the study of evolution and ancient environments).
• Petroleum geologists use information gathered from boreholes, geophysical and geochemical data, geological maps, rock samples and remote sensing imagery to decide where to drill for oil and gas, and help petroleum engineers to optimize the extraction process by determining the geological characteristics of an underground reservoir and the fluids in it.
• Planetary geologists study the nature and history of planets and satellites in the solar system.
• Sedimentologists study the processes that result in the formation of sedimentary rocks and apply this knowledge to help locate coal, petroleum and other types of mineral resources.
• Stratigraphers study arrangements of sedimentary rock layers by examining the fossil and compositional content of boreholes and diamond drill cores to help locate coal and petroleum.
• Structural geologists study the geometry and elements of brittle and plastic rock deformation, including the evolution of mountain building and Earth structures useful in resource extraction.
• Surficial geologists study sediments and rock layers close to the Earth's surface. Their findings are used in road and building construction, landfill siting, mineral exploration, environmental contamination, groundwater production and global change studies.
• Volcanologists study active and dormant volcanoes to predict eruptions and minimize potential damage and to learn about the physics and chemistry of volcanic processes.
• Well site geologists work closely with drilling crews in the field to help ensure that wells penetrate target zones and coring samples are taken at required intervals.

In Alberta, most geologists work in the energy industries and spend much of their time working in office environments. They may spend some time at rig sites. A few geologists spend three to six months each year doing field work, living and working in remote areas and covering large areas by foot, all-terrain vehicle, boat, helicopter or airplane. Mining geologists may work underground part of the time. Considerable travel is required for geolgists involved in international exploration.

Physical requirements for geologists vary greatly depending on the nature of the work. Geologists working in laboratories may do little or no significant lifting; those collecting samples in the field may be required to lift items weighing up to 20 kilograms. Collecting samples also may involve covering considerable distances on foot.

The minimum education requirement for geologists is a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) honours degree in geology. Ongoing professional development is required to keep up to date.

• The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers four year B.Sc. honours and specialization degree programs in geology, paleontology and earth and atmospheric sciences, and master's and doctoral degree programs. The admission requirement for the bachelor's degree programs is a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, Chemistry 30, and two other approved Grade 12 subjects (Biology 30 is required for the paleontology program).
• The University of Calgary offers four year B.Sc. degree programs in geology, geology (petroleum geology concentration) and in applied and environmental geology, and master's and doctoral degree programs in geology. The admission requirement for the bachelor's degree programs is a competitive average in English Language Arts 30-1, Pure Math 30, Chemistry 30, one of Biology 30, Physics 30 or Math 31, and one of Social Studies 30, a 30 level science, a 30 level language or a five credit Grade 12 subject (Math 31 and Physics 30 are recommended).

Post-secondary institutions throughout the province offer university transfer programs which allow students to apply up to two years of study toward university bachelor's degree programs. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the courses they choose to take will be accepted for credit at the institution to which they wish to transfer.

For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

Under Alberta's Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions Act, you must be a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) to practice as a Professional Geologist or a Professional Geophysicist. You do not have to be registered if you work under the direct supervision of a Professional Geologist or a Professional Geophysicist and do not call yourself a Professional Geologist or Professional Geophysicist.

Geologists are employed by:

• consulting firms
• resource, exploration, engineering and environmental companies
• government departments and agencies
• science centres and museums.

A B.Sc. degree is required for entry level positions. Advanced degrees are required for positions of greater responsibility such as research and post-secondary teaching positions.

Geologists are part of the larger National Occupational Classification 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists. In Alberta, 93 per cent of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services.

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next ten years.

According to the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists occupational group earned from $15.27 to $117.79 an hour. The average wage was $55.99 an hour.

For more detailed information, see WAGEinfo.

Post-secondary institution calendars and websites (see Educational Requirements above)

EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo

Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA) website: www.apegga.org

Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES) website: www.geoscience.ca/career.html

Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG) website: www.cspg.org