EARTH SCIENCES

This branch of science deals mainly with subjects such as geography, geology and oceanography, and is concerned with the study of the earth, its composition or any of its changing aspects.

Geography is the science dealing with the real differentiation of the earth's surface. It includes the study of factors such as climate, elevation, soil, vegetation, population, land use, and industries, all over the world and its different political entities. Those who have specialized in the study of geography -geographers - may be involved equally in fieldwork or in deskwork. They may be involved in teaching work in a variety of institutions such as schools, colleges and universities.

Town planning organizations, forest departments, land survey agencies, defense sector, rail, road and airport authorities, housing boards, and tourism departments of the government require the services of cartographers. Cartographers produce maps, including details of projections, design, compilations, drafting and, reproduction. They collect and organize all the data on which maps are based and this work involves land surveying and aerial photography. Geographers can take up cartography.

Geology is the science that deals with the physical history of the earth, the rocks of which it is composed and the physical changes which the earth has undergone or is undergoing.

Prominent allied branches of geology are geochemistry and geophysics. Geochemistry is the science dealing with the chemical changes in the composition of the earth's crust, while geophysics is the physics of the earth including oceanography, seismology, volcano logy, and geomagnetism.

The job of a geologist is essentially exploratory in nature and involves fieldwork to a great extent. There is also an element of research and scientific study.

Geologists work for government organizations such as the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the public sector corporations such as the various oil companies and the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).

In the senior positions geologists may be playing a more administrative role than a scientist's role.

Oceanography is a branch of physical geography dealing with oceans. Geologists may easily specialize in this branch. Again, the work is research-oriented or exploratory in nature.

Personality Traits

Keen interest in the physical surroundings; powers of observation; good color vision; precision; patience; perseverance; interest in outdoor work; indifference to unpleasant weather conditions; good physical health; scientific approach; and love for exploration.

Course/ Training

The basic qualification for a career in the earth sciences is a Master's degree in the specific subject. Most universities in the country offer geography and geology as subjects of academic study. Study of these subjects may start from the plus two or equivalent level (geography is taken up as a subject at school level too). In order to fake up a postgraduate program in geography or geology, it is usually necessary to have taken it up as an Honors subject.

Postgraduate seats are normally allotted in these subjects to students who have graduated with the respective subjects. At the postgraduate level students take up an area of the discipline for special study. Project work and fieldwork are an important part of the curriculum of both these disciplines. While geology is taken up as a science, many universities do not treat geography as a subject of the science stream and instead award an arts degree. The syllabus, however, does not vary in either stream.

The Association of Town Planners, 4-A Ring Road, I P Estate, New Delhi-110002, offers a course in town planning. Postgraduates in geography employed in town planning work, directly or indirectly, may apply for the associate ship examination of this institute.

Specialized courses in the field of geology are offered at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

Courses: Five-year integrated M Sc. program in exploration geophysics is open to students who have successfully completed plus two or equivalent with physics, chemistry and mathematics, through the Joint Entrance Examination conducted by all the IITs.

Three-semester M Tech. course in geology and geophysics after completion of BE/B Tech / M Sc. or equivalent and valid GATE (graduate aptitude test in engineering) score.

Two-year M Sc. program in geology and geophysics after completion of a relevant B Sc. course.

Three-year M Sc. programme in exploration geophysics open to science graduates with relevant subjects.

Oceanography is offered as an M Sc. course at:
School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin-682016.

Eligibility: B Sc. with physics and mathematics/chemistry or B Sc. in mathematics with physics/chemistry.

The National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, also offers a postgraduate course.

Placement/ Prospects

Geographers are needed for research in town planning organizations and in various government departments and also for teaching work.

Geologists find employment in teaching; research and exploration/survey work in government and public sector organizations. They may also work for the private sector as consultants.

The Geological Survey of India and the Central Ground Water Board recruit geologists on the basis of the geologists' examination conducted by the UPSC.

Other organizations where geologists are placed are: Coal India Limited, ONGC, National Geophysical Research Institute (Hyderabad), Center for Earth Studies (Thiruvanthapuram), Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited, National Institute of Hydrology, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Dehradun).

Each organization recruits geologists against vacancies arising in the organization. Selection is usually on the basis of an assessment of the academic record, interview and written examination. Research institutions prefer to select candidates with doctoral degrees. Geologists have lucrative prospects in private consultancy work also.