Otto Figueroa
Co-Dept. Head of Physical Sciences & Professor, Geology
Education and Background
I started college as a liberal arts major at Cypress College and
spent the first year taking courses in many different
disciplines. I took my first geology course during my
second year and found that it combined many of my academic
interests because geology is a field that draws on an
understanding of the physical sciences, biological science,
history, economics and political science. I used this
diverse background to focus on environmental sciences and water
resources.
After graduating with my master’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, I worked as an environmental consultant. I conducted many investigations to determine the environmental impact of redeveloping properties which were previously used for industrial purposes. I also investigated the effect of development on groundwater resources.
During the time I worked as a consultant I always taught part time. I taught classes at Cal State Fullerton, Brandman University and since 2011 at Long Beach City College. I made the transition from teaching part time to teaching full time in the fall of 2014 because I enjoyed teaching and interacting with students. I hope to teach students both the theoretical underpinning of geology and its use in many aspects of our post-industrial society.