FISHER, WILLIAM L., Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

ABSTRACT: The Role of Education in the Energy/Environmental Debate

Historically, 60-percent of all geology graduates entered the profession to explore for and develop oil and gas. The number included in resource development will remain substantial, but the historical percentages will decline as more geologists are involved in environmentally related services. Regardless of professional pursuit, the educator must always focus on the basics. However, some of the basics are changing. Petroleum geology is rather complete geology, perhaps with a good dose of economics thrown in. In the broader areas of environmental sciences, geology must integrate with (compete with?) engineering and many of the other sciences.

The universities of the U.S. became well adapted through the years to producing the professional resource explorationist. They must strive to do the same for the environmental geologist.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.