GEOLOGY
Associate in Science
Program Details
The Cuesta College Earth and Ocean Science Program involves the study of the solid earth, ocean and atmosphere. It is the branch of science that investigates diverse geologic processes, including rock and mineral formation, tectonic and volcanic processes, and landform and seafloor development. In addition, the examination of the origins and evolution of life through the study of fossils (paleontology) and the assessment of economically important mineral deposits, fossil fuels, and geologic hazards are integral to the discipline. The chemistry and physics of the ocean and atmosphere are examined for their impact on the distribution of marine sediments, ocean circulation, weather and global climate patterns. Specific course topics fulfill the lower division requirements for majors in geology, geophysics, civil engineering, construction management, and environmental science. Students can earn an A.S. degree in Geology at Cuesta College, preparing them for transfer to four-year institutions or for employment in technical careers.
GEOLOGY Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2026-2027. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Master's degree, Doctoral degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 53,310
- High salary: 199,260
- Average salary: 101390
Clinical Research Coordinators
Bachelor's degree, Certificate after high school
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 79,830
- High salary: 0
- Average salary: 161180
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 32,830
- High salary: 92,210
- Average salary: 48390
All Careers in GEOLOGY (7)
| Clinical Research Coordinators | Bachelor's degree, Certificate after high school | Rising | 161,180 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | Bachelor's degree, Post-doctoral training | Rising | 161,180 |
| Water Resource Specialists | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Rising | 161,180 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | Master's degree, Doctoral degree | Stable | 101,390 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | Master's degree, Bachelor's degree | Rising | 99,240 |
| Hydrologists | Master's degree, Bachelor's degree | Stable | 92,060 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | - n/a | Stable | 48,390 |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Create, evaluate and interpret maps and other graphical representations.
- Describe physical and chemical earth processes.
- Describe the origin, distribution, and measurement of earthquakes and volcanoes.
- Differentiate between minerals, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and understand basics of their distribution on the solid earth
- Evaluate and assess mitigation strategies for geologic hazards.
- Interpret aspects of global and California geology related to basic geologic principles of plate tectonics.
- Utilize and evaluate the evidence for Geologic Time and Earth�s evolution.
- Utilize the principles of the scientific method as it relates to modern Earth Science