From Whale Watching to Desert Treks – Earth Sciences Field Courses Take You There
Whale watching, treks along the Colorado Plateau, and trips to the moonscape amazing Joshua Tree National Park are just a few examples of hands-on learning that students can tap into with Fullerton College’s Earth Sciences Department.
In recognition of the annual Earth Sciences Week held from October 9-15, we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight the Earth Sciences Department and give students the opportunity to learn more about these exceptional classes that fulfill general education and degree requirements.
Earth Sciences is a multidisciplinary field comprised of many disciplines, including geology, oceanography, and astronomy. Instructor Roman de Jesus encourages students to take at least one Earth Science course. It’s a unique program and offers hands-on lab and field courses to destinations such as Catalina Island, Joshua Tree, and the Colorado Plateau.
Field courses offer students an opportunity to go to different places. Students can get a hands-on learning experience with labs, while field courses offer them the chance to see things in person. Plus, field courses allow students to learn about their local area and their lifestyle choices’ impact on the planet.
This past summer, a geology class went to the Colorado Plateau. For the spring, students will have the opportunity to go to Catalina Island for a weekend as part of the Geology and Marine Biology of Channel Islands course. There are also oceanography field courses where students will have the chance to study local beaches and wetlands.
Students who complete the Earth Sciences or geology degree can either transfer to a four-year university or pursue a career in Earth Science. Popular career choices include marine science, TV weather forecasting and meteorology, environmental activism, science-related journalism, environmental geology, soil science, hydrology, paleontology, and planetary geology.
“Even though we are a small department, I think we have a large impact on students,” said de Jesus. “Students take away a lot from our courses.”
Learn more about Earth Sciences courses offered at Fullerton College.
