ATU Geology student, Wes Davis (right), works with drilling crew during geological evaluation of a site for a proposed underground coal mine in western Arkansas. If a company intends to mine coal in Arkansas, a permit application must be made, which includes, among other things, information about the site’s geology and hydrology, so that mining and reclamation plans can be made environmentally safe. Wes turned his participation in the evaluation done by ATU’s Dr. Kline into a Senior research project for course credit.
Graduates from the ATU Geology program have gone on to graduate school and/or to various career paths in
- Natural resources industries
- Petroleum exploration and/or production
- Mineral exploration and/or mining
- Federal/State government
- US Geological Survey
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- US Department of Energy
- Arkansas Geological Commission
- Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
- Arkansas Soil and Water Commission
- Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department
- Environmental consulting firms
- Contaminant Hydrogeology
- Landfill construction/operation
- Mined land reclamation
- Engineering companies
- Site characterization for heavy construction projects
- Education
- High School
- College
In general, the best opportunities exist for those students who continue their education and complete the master’s or doctor’s degree in geology.