NIU Department of Geology Graduate Studies Brochure Davis Hall, Housing the Department of Geology and the Department of Geography T he Department of Geology at Northern Illinois University offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of M.S. and Ph.D. The teaching and research of the 15 regular faculty members of the department cover a comprehensive range of geology, from local environmental impacts to global-scale tectonics.
Research takes place from Alaska to Antarctica, Illinois to the Indian Ocean, Yucatan to Utah.
Students go on to the full range of employment in geology, including traditional resource-based industries, federal and state geological surveys and regulatory agencies and environmental consulting industry, and teaching from middle school to university levels. Graduate study is a process not only of gaining knowledge but also of becoming a professional, not only from formal course work but also from being an integral part of the academic, research, and collegial life of the department. For most graduate students, participation in research is at the core of their study program and forms a large part of their professional training. Graduate students are encouraged to meet and work with outside scientists and agencies, and to present papers at professional conferences. In addition, the department's weekly colloquium lets faculty and students present the results of their research or meet and interact with guest speakers.