There is now widespread interest in Earth's history, especially the rise and extinction of dinosaurs, and fossils of early man. Geology has played the central role in understanding the origin and history of the Moon as revealed by the study of samples returned to Earth by the Apollo missions. Geology is also an essential component for understanding and planning rational responses to problems on the Earth, including global climate change, resource recovery and limitations, radioisotope disposal and other environmental hazards involving groundwater pollution.
Geology is also a key component in the multidisciplinary effort to determine the origin of life.
The study of geology at a university provides students with a unique and valuable perspective especially with regard to the vast amount of time since the Earth formed, and the evolution of life over much of that interval. Huge climate changes have occurred in the last 20,000 years resulting in rapid melting of huge ice sheets and a corresponding 120-meter rise in sea level. The general population is unaware of many of the challenges facing civilization such as a projected depletion of petroleum within the next 40 years and anthropogenically induced global climate change. A geologic perspective is very important for making politically wise choices regarding such problems. Because geology is largely based on field observations, the study of geology at the University at Albany includes several field courses and field trips.