A selection of introductory-level courses serves the general college community. Ultimately, the program strives to provide skills and experiences that foster critical thinking and a lifelong curiosity in the natural world. Students planning a career in the earth sciences should complete the departmental major. Students that wish to incorporate an interdisciplinary specialization into their major should consult department faculty for advice on appropriate courses. Subfields of specialization could include geochemistry, geophysics, environmental geology, hydrogeology, remote sensing, economic geology, geoarchaeology, and paleobiology, among others.
Graduate study is a prerequisite for most professional work in the earth sciences.
Our major program is designed to provide a broad and thorough background that prepares students for advanced work in any of the many fields of earth science. A geology major also provides a foundation for other potential careers. For example, some of our recent graduates have entered law school to prepare for employment in environmental or corporate law, while others have used their geologic education as a stepping stone to the business world. Geology participates in the Environmental Studies program. The department houses an excellent teaching collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils.