Geology

If you’re passionate about earth processes, natural resources, environmental science, and the diverse disciplines within the geology profession, our Geology program offers the perfect opportunity to explore your interests. The program covers essential topics such as physical geology, mineralogy, and environmental studies.

Explore career paths in geological surveying, environmental consulting, natural resource management, education, research, and more. Our program not only prepares you for immediate entry into the workforce but also serves as a stepping stone to continuing your education and earning a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution. The world of Geology is full of potential, and our comprehensive curriculum ensures you're ready to seize these exciting opportunities.

Find more information, including wages and education requirements, on Career Coach!

Mr. Anderson received his B.S. in Geology from West Virginia University in 2009. Upon his completion of his B.S., he moved to Texas and began his M.S. in Geology at the University of Texas at San Antonio completing it in 2012. Shortly after graduation, he started his Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Houston. Upon receiving candidacy for his Ph.D., Mr. Anderson left the University of Houston to pursue a career in teaching. Beginning Spring 2018, Mr. Anderson has taught full-time at Wharton County Junior College. Currently, he teaches both physical and historical geology (lectures and labs). In addition to teaching, Mr. Anderson runs and organizes public geology/fossil talks at local K-12 schools around Texas.

Office: Wharton Campus, Science S129
Phone: (979) 532-6506
Email: andersonp@wcjc.edu

Dr. Oostingh graduated with a Ph.D. from Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia, focusing on age dating of volcanic rocks. She published several academic papers and has presented her work at international conferences. Dr. Oostingh originally hails from The Netherlands and has lived in Australia, Malaysia and the Sultanate of Oman, before landing in Houston, Texas. She has worked as a consultant in both the Oil and Gas as well as the Mining industry and loves talking about science and the relevance of understanding geology to become a better-informed citizen. Dr. Oostingh joined Wharton County Junior College in fall 2023.

Office: Sugarland Campus 240
Phone: 281-243-8568
Email: oostinghk@wcjc.edu 

Mr. Coleff has a B.S. in Geology from Cleveland State University along with a M.S. degree in Petroleum Geology and completed Ph.D. coursework from The University of Houston. He has over 19 years of experience in the geosciences industry and academia in both laboratory and field settings. His industry experience includes petroleum exploration at Noble Energy and geoscience research both at The University of Houston’s department of geology and department of petroleum engineering, as well as at Shell and NASA. His teaching experience includes Geology and Meterology at UH’s downtown campus. Mr. Coleff joined the faculty at Wharton County Junior College in the fall 2024.

Email: coleffd@wcjc.edu

Mrs. Copeland received her B.S. in Geology from Florida State University in 2007. After completing her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Copeland spent 2 years as the team Geologist for an NGO in Central Asia. Upon her return to the States, she attended Louisiana State University and graduated with her M.S. in Geology in 2011. Mrs. Copeland moved to the Houston area where she spent 4.5 years working in the Oil and Gas Industry. In 2024, Mrs. Copeland joined the faculty at Wharton Country Junior College.

Email: copelandl@wcjc.edu