It is concerned with the Earth's age and origin and with the processes that have acted and continue to act upon it.
Geology focuses on the physical and biological history that is recorded in rocks and landforms.
In addition, a particularly critical emphasis today is on the changes in Earth processes brought about by humanity and on the immediate future of the planet. The Department of Geology offers an undergraduate major leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree. Students majoring in geology participate in field and laboratory work. The comparatively small size of the faculty and student body allows many opportunities for faculty-student interaction. Research programs in the department, which in many cases involve students, employ field, analytical, and experimental methods.