Academic Programs

The Department of Geosciences offers multiple degree programs for students to choose from:

Bachelor of Science in Geosciences (GEOL-BS)

Geological Sciences track (GEOL-GS): this track serves as the “traditional” geosciences degree and is ideal for those students who want a broader breadth of knowledge in the geosciences, more geosciences elective choices as they pursue the degree, and a robust foundation to support going to graduate school or gaining research-focused employment in a variety of subdisciplines in the geosciences and related sciences upon graduation.

Examples of geosciences courses taken for the GEOL-GS: Sedimentary Geology & Earth History, Geomorphology, Mineralogy, Structural Geology, Applied Geophysics, Field Techniques, Vertebrate Paleotology, Economic Geology.

Environmental & Applied Geosciences track (GEOL-EAG): this track is ideal for students to gain entry-level employment upon graduation in an environmental geosciences-related field, such as environmental consulting, geological and geotechnical engineering, energy and natural resource management, and other related industries. This track also prepares students to enter graduate school for study in the environmental geosciences or related environmental sciences.

Examples of geosciences courses taken for the GEOL-EAG: The Earth Systems, Geomorphology, Fundamentals of Groundwater, Earth's Early Biospheres, Environmental Geochemistry, Field Techniques, HAZWOPER.

The Minor in Geosciences (GEOL-MIN) and the Minor in Environmental Geosciences (EVGEO-MIN) both serve as excellent compliments to related natural science majors, such as Environmental Studies, Geography, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, but can also be of interest to non-science majors, such as business, economics, engineering, and art majors. The minor programs differ in that the minor in geosciences provides the student with more flexibility in choosing which geosciences courses are taken to fulfill degree requirements where the environmental geosciences minor has a more focused set of courses to choose from. 

The curriculum guides for all four programs are currently being updated in UC's system and will be published here when complete. In the meantime, please contact the Program Director, Krista Smilek for information on these degree program.

The Department of Geosciences offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and strives to produce knowledgeable and well-rounded students. While in the program, graduate students develop skills, such as reading, writing, data acquisition, critical analysis, and communication, while simultaneously conducting an original research project. Students are given opportunities to achieve a breadth of knowledge relevant to their area of research, publish their research in peer-reviewed publications, and participate in professional development. Encouraging connections and collaborations among peers, faculty, staff, and other members of the science community within and external to the Department is central to this mission. For questions about the graduate program, contact the Program Director Krista Smilek.

Krista Smilek, Program Director - primary departmental advisor for geology majors, minors, and graduate students, and those who wish to join the geosciences program, and oversees many aspects of the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Dylan Ward, Faculty Undergraduate Director - assists with undergraduate research placement, Capstone approval, and general undergraduate program questions.

Andy Czaja, Faculty Graduate Director - assists with Ph.D. preliminary exams, final thesis and dissertation questions, and graduate school policy questions.

Students are encouraged to contact any member of the department to chat about field and laboratory research opportunities, future career options, questions about graduate school, etc. We have an "open door" policy where students are welcome to seek guidance and mentorship from all departmental faculty and staff.