The curriculum combines a broad science background with course work in geology, oceanography, meteorology, and space science. Three tracks geology, environmental geoscience, and astronomy allow specialization. Many recipients obtain a second certification in general science or environmental education. The department offers minors in astronomy, earth science, and geology. The department has excellent facilities designed to train students in the use of the latest technology.
Students also have access to meteorological instruments.
The petrography laboratory contains optical polarizing microscopes, an outstanding collection of rocks and minerals, and an image analysis system. The geophysical laboratory has a ground velocity station seismometer, portable signal enhancement seismometer, and flux-gate field magnetometer. Our museum houses several mineral collections of historic and scientific interest. The astronomical observatory has a 10-inch fixed telescope, a planetarium, and several field telescopes. The student computer laboratory contains 12 Pentium machines.