Geology & Earth Science

New! 4 course Geographic Information System (GIS) certificate at Napa Valley College.

What is ArcGIS? 

GIS is a powerful tool that allows you to analyze, visualize, and interpret complex environmental data spatially. 

In today's job market, GIS expertise is highly sought after in various industries, including environmental consulting, conservation organizations, urban planning, agriculture, government agencies, and research institutions. Adding GIS to your skillset opens doors to new career paths and can advance your career. 

Enroll in the first 9 week class, Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS), which begins on August 11, 2023. The class will use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, and is being taught by highly-experienced GIS analyst, Matt Lamborn, GIS Department Coordinator of Napa County.  

GEOG 120-78667 Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:50pm
Aug 11 – Oct 14, 2023 

ENROLL HERE  if you already have a current NVC student ID

BECOME AN NVC STUDENT  If you do not have a current NVC student ID

Certificate Courses (12 units)
GEOG 120: Introduction to Geographic Information System (GIS)
GEOG 121: Intermediate Geographic Information System (GIS)
GEOG 130: Data Acquisition and Management
GEOG 131: Remote Sensing


Contact Cari Roughley with any questions regarding enrollment or new certificate: croughley@napavalley.edu

Careers in Geology and Earth Science

Geologists and Earth Scientists work to understand the history of our planet. The better they can understand Earth’s history, the better they can foresee how events and processes of the past might influence the future.  Geologists and Earth Scientists work in a variety of settings. These include: natural resource companies, environmental consulting companies, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and universities. Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others spend their time in laboratories, classrooms or offices. All geologists prepare reports, do calculations and use computers. Most geoscience careers require more than two years of college study.

Careers in Environmental Science

Environmental Scientists assess pollution and other environmental problems in the water, air and soil. Environmental Scientists make sure that the environment is safe and offer advice to business establishments on cleaning and maintaining the planet and its atmosphere. Careers can include working in Environmental Policy, Planning, and Management, sustainability, renewable energy, conservation, agriculture, urban planning and development, natural resource management, and education. Job duties might be to propose a safer plan for a company to dispose of harmful substances by changing the way it recycles or processes plastics. Other duties might include fieldwork on ecological sites to collect samples and ensure company environmental laws and standards are being followed. Most Environmental Science careers require more than two years of college study.

Careers in Physical Geography

Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences and the natural sciences. There are two main branches of geography: human geography and physical geography. Physical geographers study patterns of climates, landforms, vegetation, soils, and water. Geographers use many tools and techniques in their work, and geographic technologies are increasingly important for understanding our complex world. Most Physical Geography careers require more than two years of college study.