什么是地球科学？

简介

地球学科包括地质学、气象学、海洋学和天文学。尽管现在经济形势不景气，然而这些专业的学生在人才市场上却很抢手。

简介

地球科学是一门研究地球及地球周边天体的科学。这是一门令人心动的学科，它既有趣又有用。一些地球学家运用他们的所学寻找并开发地球上的能源和矿藏。另一些地球学家则研究人类活动对地球环境的影响，并制订出保护地球的措施。还有一些地球学家则根据他们对火山、地震及飓风的了解，为人们合理规划居住区，使大家免受这些自然灾害的威胁。

地球科学的四个分支

有很多关于研究地球的科学，然而地球科学主要由四门基础的学科组成，即地质学、气象学、海洋学和天文学。以下是对这四门学科的简要介绍。

地质学：研究地球的科学

地质学是最重要的地球科学。地质学的字面含义是“研究地球的科学”。地质学研究地球的物质组成、地球的结构及地球的形成过程。地质学的研究内容还涉及地球上的生物以及地球的变化。地质学家寻找地球上的燃料和矿藏、研究自然灾害并制订保护地球环境的措施。

气象学：研究大气的科学

气象学主要研究地球大气，即大气活动如何决定地球的天气和气候。气象学是一门非常实用的科学，因为人人都关注天气。另外，人类活动对气候的影像也是近来受全球关注的热门话题。可以说气象学对于保护地球环境来说有着至关重要的作用。

海洋学：研究海洋的科学

海洋学是一门研究海洋的科学。它研究海洋的构成、海水的运动、海洋生物以及海洋的形成。海洋覆盖了大部分地球，它是提供食物和其他产品的重要源头，海洋日益成为重要的能源仓库。海洋同样对天气有重要的影响，海洋的变化可以导致或者影响气候的变化。海洋学家致力于将海洋发展成重要的资源并保护海洋免受人类活动的影响。他们的目标是在充分利用海洋资源的同时将人类对海洋的影响最小化。

天文学：研究宇宙的科学

天文学是研究宇宙的科学。下面几个例子可以说明研究远在地球之外的太空是多么重要：月球影响着海洋的潮汐，而小行星已经多次对地球有过灾难性的撞击，并毁灭了地球上的生物，太阳光则是驱动地球天气和气候系统的惟一能源。学习天文学对了解地球有重要的作用。天文学家同样可以根据他们对地球构成、活动和历史的了解来了解其他行星甚至太阳系之外的行星。

地球科学的重要性

今天，地球和生活在地球上的人和生物，面临着众多挑战。地球的气候正在改变，而这正是我们人类活动造成的。地球学家已经意识到这一问题并将在解决该问题上扮演重要角色。我们同样面临的挑战有：开发出对气候影响尽可能小的能源；在现有资源耗尽之前找到新的金属矿藏和其他矿藏；解决地球日益严峻的人口负担并避免火山爆发、地震、山崩、洪水之类的自然灾害对人类产生严重威胁。以上这些问题只是众多问题中的一小部分，解决这些问题需要对地球科学有深入的了解。

学习地球科学可从事的职业

如果你即将进入大学学习并希望被大学录取，而且今后打算从事与地球科学相关的职业，你就得认真学习所有课程。自然科学尤为重要，而地球学家在每天的工作中同样要用到数学、写作和其他学科的知识。

有些大学开设了地球科学专业，但多数大学开设的是分得更细的专业，比如地质学、气象学、海洋学和天文学。在学习这些专业的同时也要学习一些颇具挑战的学科，如化学、物理学、生物学和数学。地球科学是一门综合性的学科，学习这门科学的专业人员在解决遇到的问题时，往往需要用到好几门学科的知识。

如果你已有一门其他学科的学位，如生物学、化学、地理学或物理学，你就可以申请进入研究生院攻读地球科学任意一分支学科的硕士学位。不过在这之前这也往往需要学习一些本科阶段的课程以应付研究生入学考试的需要。阁下若对地球科学有浓厚的兴趣不妨一试。

目前，即便是面临不景气的经济形势，对地球科学相关的众多领域的人才需求却在平均水平之上。地质学专业的学生就业状况则更好。

访问该网站school that offers a geology degree,与地理学院取得联系，告知他们你对地理的兴趣，并去学校亲自看看。心动不如行动！好学校和好教授在等着热爱地理的你呢！

What is Earth Science?

Introduction

Earth Science is the study of the Earth and its neighbors in space. It is an exciting science with many interesting and practical applications. Some Earth scientists use their knowledge of the Earth to locate and develop energy and mineral resources. Others study the impact of human activity on Earth's environment and design methods to protect the planet. Some use their knowledge about Earth processes such as volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes to plan communities that will not expose people to these dangerous events.

The Four Earth Sciences

Many different sciences are used to learn about the earth, however, the four basic areas of Earth science study are: geology, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy. A brief explanation of these sciences is provided below.

Geology: Science of the Earth

Geology is the primary Earth science. The word means "study of the Earth". Geology deals with the composition of Earth materials, Earth structures, and Earth processes. It is also concerned with the organisms of the planet and how the planet has changed over time. Geologists search for fuels and minerals, study natural hazards, and work to protect Earth's environment.

Meteorology: Science of the Atmosphere

Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and how processes in the atmosphere determine Earth's weather and climate. Meteorology is a very practical science because everyone is concerned about the weather. How climate changes over time in response to the actions of people is a topic of urgent worldwide concern. The study of meteorology is of critical concern for protecting Earth's environment.

Oceanography: Science of the Oceans

Oceanography is the study of Earth's oceans - their composition, movement, organisms and processes. The oceans cover most of our planet and are important resources for food and other commodities. They are increasingly being used as an energy source. The oceans also have a major influence on the weather and changes in the oceans can drive or moderate climate change. Oceanographers work to develop the ocean as a resource and protect it from human impact. The goal is to utilize the oceans while minimizing the effects of our actions.

Astronomy: Science of the Universe

Astronomy is the study of the universe. Here are some examples of why studying space beyond Earth is important: the moon drives the ocean's tidal system, asteroid impacts have repeatedly devastated Earth's inhabitants and energy from the sun drives our weather and climates. A knowledge of astronomy is essential to understanding the Earth. Astronomers can also use a knowledge of Earth materials, processes and history to understand other planets - even those outside of our own solar system.

The Importance of Earth Science

Today we live in a time when the Earth and its inhabitants face many challenges. Our climate is changing and that change is being caused by human activity. Earth scientists recognized this problem and will play a key role in efforts to resolve it. We are also challenged to: develop new sources of energy that will have minimal impact on climate; locate new sources of metals and other mineral resources as known sources are depleted; and, determine how Earth's increasing population can live and avoid serious threats such as volcanic activity, earthquakes, landslides, floods and more. These are just a few of the problems where solutions depend upon a deep understanding of Earth science.

Earth Science Careers

If you are a pre-college student you can start preparing for a career in Earth science by enrolling in the college preparation program and doing well in all of your courses. Science courses are especially important but math, writing, and other disciplines are also used by Earth scientists during every working day.

Some universities have Earth Science programs but most offer more specific training in programs such as geology, meteorology, oceanography or astronomy. In these programs you will be required to take some challenging courses such as chemistry, physics, biology and math. Earth science is an integrated science and professionals in that field must solve problems that require a knowledge of several fields of science.

If you already have a degree in another discipline such as biology, chemistry, geography or physics, you might be able to go to graduate school and obtain a Master's degree in one of the Earth sciences. That will most likely require taking some undergraduate courses to meet program entry requirements. However, if you have a strong interest in Earth science it is probably worth doing.

At present, job opportunities in many areas of the Earth sciences are better than average - even with the down economy. Opportunities in geology are especially good.

Visit the website of a school that offers a geology degree, get in touch with the geology department, let them know you are interested and make arrangements to visit the campus. Don't be hesitant. Good schools and professors want to be contacted by interested students.