It depends on what you would like to do. Most people start off with a college degree in geology, physics, math, chemistry, etc. which usually takes 4 years. Then you can get a job in geoscience or go on for a Masters degree which usually takes 2 years. Then you can again get a job or if you would like to become a professor (or something similar) you can go to school for a PhD which can take between 3 and 6 years (but is very variable). So, a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of something like 9 years.
It really depends on what you want to do. If you’d just like to go into industry this can take 4 or 5 years depending on what you’ve done at university. If you’d like to go into academia (lecturing) you need a PhD so overall you’d be at university for about 7 years.
I would say its better to take a straight Geology/Geoscience degree first as its better to do a broad based subject, plus you can generally tailor your modules as you want anyway. But, if you really know which area of the geological industry you want to work in take the degree subject best suited to your interests (some universities do Environmental Geology, Applied Geology, Mining Geology, Engineering/Geotechnical geology etc.)
If you do a degree in the UK it takes 3 (bachelors degree) or 4 years (undergraduate masters degree) to do your undergraduate degree. In the UK we have a qualification called an MSci (also called MGeol, MESci, various others) which is an undergraduate masters and is basically a qualification halfway between a bachelors and a full masters degree. As far as I’m aware this doesn’t exist in other countries. Its great because if you want to do a PhD straight after your undergrad you can.
Masters degrees (MSc) take 1 year in the UK. You just need an undergraduate degree as entry.
A PhD will take between 3-4 years in the UK, EU countries and Canada and up to 7 years in the USA. I’m not sure about the duration for other countries.
Some people also do maths/physics/chemistry/biology and then tailor their degree modules so that it fits with different areas of geology.
In the United States of America, you need four years of geology to get a Bachelor degree (B.S.). You can work as a geologist with a B.S. but not usually in a research position. With 2 more years you can get a Master degree (M.S.) in which you need to conduct research and write and defend a thesis. Most of the geologists that work in the Oil and Gas industry need a M.S. degree. If you are serious about research, you will need 4 more years to get a Doctorate in Philosophy of geology (Ph.D.).
In my case, it took me 14 years of study to complete all of my studies. Mostly because I changed careers in my third year of my B.S. degree and my Ph.D. took me 6 years to complete. Now, some of the best jobs in research would require a Postdoc. This typically lasts 2 years and are used to improve the research productivity before obtaining a faculty position. In my case, I did not had to do a Postdoc before I was hired as an Assistant Professor.
Hi 6fkabrea, geoscience is actually a very broad definition, so it really depends on which discipline you want to pursue, and at which level.
I can tell you my story: I did a bachelor degree in Physics (3 years and 1/2), a Master degree in Physics (2 years 1/2) and I am now finishing my PhD (Doctorate) in Physical Oceanography (let’s say about 5 years). In total: 11 years, but being more devoted I could have finished my phd 2 years ago 🙂
am I a “geoscientist” now? mmm, not sure what that means. I have a contract for one more year, and then? I do no know! Do I like my job? Yes! I am doing science, I am working in a very exciting environment and I am surrounded by interesting people. Of course, I could have stop studying after 5 years or so, and go to work in a private company (a degree in Physics opens a lot of doors) or, for example, for an oil company: I would now have a permanent job position, but maybe a not so interesting job.
Different choices will lead to a different carrier, but also to a different life, that is why I think it is really important to ask this kind of questions to people that made different choices, so, having seen all the options, you can then decide for yourself what is best for you and for your future carrier. Ask your teacher, for example 😉
Geoscience is very broad. As the other scientists have mentioned it depends on where you will be studying and which course you are going to take up. One thing is for sure, being a geoscientist means that you will continue learning new things throughout your life, hence, learning won’t stop at school 🙂
It depends on what you would like to do. Most people start off with a college degree in geology, physics, math, chemistry, etc. which usually takes 4 years. Then you can get a job in geoscience or go on for a Masters degree which usually takes 2 years. Then you can again get a job or if you would like to become a professor (or something similar) you can go to school for a PhD which can take between 3 and 6 years (but is very variable). So, a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of something like 9 years.
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It really depends on what you want to do. If you’d just like to go into industry this can take 4 or 5 years depending on what you’ve done at university. If you’d like to go into academia (lecturing) you need a PhD so overall you’d be at university for about 7 years.
I would say its better to take a straight Geology/Geoscience degree first as its better to do a broad based subject, plus you can generally tailor your modules as you want anyway. But, if you really know which area of the geological industry you want to work in take the degree subject best suited to your interests (some universities do Environmental Geology, Applied Geology, Mining Geology, Engineering/Geotechnical geology etc.)
If you do a degree in the UK it takes 3 (bachelors degree) or 4 years (undergraduate masters degree) to do your undergraduate degree. In the UK we have a qualification called an MSci (also called MGeol, MESci, various others) which is an undergraduate masters and is basically a qualification halfway between a bachelors and a full masters degree. As far as I’m aware this doesn’t exist in other countries. Its great because if you want to do a PhD straight after your undergrad you can.
Masters degrees (MSc) take 1 year in the UK. You just need an undergraduate degree as entry.
A PhD will take between 3-4 years in the UK, EU countries and Canada and up to 7 years in the USA. I’m not sure about the duration for other countries.
Some people also do maths/physics/chemistry/biology and then tailor their degree modules so that it fits with different areas of geology.
0
In the United States of America, you need four years of geology to get a Bachelor degree (B.S.). You can work as a geologist with a B.S. but not usually in a research position. With 2 more years you can get a Master degree (M.S.) in which you need to conduct research and write and defend a thesis. Most of the geologists that work in the Oil and Gas industry need a M.S. degree. If you are serious about research, you will need 4 more years to get a Doctorate in Philosophy of geology (Ph.D.).
In my case, it took me 14 years of study to complete all of my studies. Mostly because I changed careers in my third year of my B.S. degree and my Ph.D. took me 6 years to complete. Now, some of the best jobs in research would require a Postdoc. This typically lasts 2 years and are used to improve the research productivity before obtaining a faculty position. In my case, I did not had to do a Postdoc before I was hired as an Assistant Professor.
0
Hi 6fkabrea, geoscience is actually a very broad definition, so it really depends on which discipline you want to pursue, and at which level.
I can tell you my story: I did a bachelor degree in Physics (3 years and 1/2), a Master degree in Physics (2 years 1/2) and I am now finishing my PhD (Doctorate) in Physical Oceanography (let’s say about 5 years). In total: 11 years, but being more devoted I could have finished my phd 2 years ago 🙂
am I a “geoscientist” now? mmm, not sure what that means. I have a contract for one more year, and then? I do no know! Do I like my job? Yes! I am doing science, I am working in a very exciting environment and I am surrounded by interesting people. Of course, I could have stop studying after 5 years or so, and go to work in a private company (a degree in Physics opens a lot of doors) or, for example, for an oil company: I would now have a permanent job position, but maybe a not so interesting job.
Different choices will lead to a different carrier, but also to a different life, that is why I think it is really important to ask this kind of questions to people that made different choices, so, having seen all the options, you can then decide for yourself what is best for you and for your future carrier. Ask your teacher, for example 😉
0
Geoscience is very broad. As the other scientists have mentioned it depends on where you will be studying and which course you are going to take up. One thing is for sure, being a geoscientist means that you will continue learning new things throughout your life, hence, learning won’t stop at school 🙂
0