Geology

Geology provides many opportunities for travel and fieldwork. Students who enjoy hiking and camping and can learn by examining samples of minerals, rocks, fossils, soils and other geologic materials will be ready to succeed in geology. Map reading and the ability to visualize in three dimensions help enormously in "seeing" landscapes and the geometry of rock formations. Geology includes quantitative analysis of a variety of data, and ability in mathematics can be indispensable. Geology integrates aspects of chemistry, physics and biology. Students attracted to science in general will succeed.

Geoscientists are in high demand. Projections extending to 2029 show that employment in the geosciences will grow faster than the average occupation. The need for energy, environmental protection, and responsible land and resource management has spurred continued demand for geoscientists well into the future (US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/geoscientists.htm).

Graduates of our geology program are scientifically informed citizens who can understand the complexities of the Earth’s systems and the interdisciplinary challenges of modern society. Our majors pursue careers as geotechnical and environmental consultants, state and federal agency scientists and managers (US Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy, etc.), climate policy advisers, energy industry geologists, museum staff scientists and curators, educators, and more. Our students are well-prepared for graduate study, which is required for some professional positions in geology. If a graduate of our program would like to pursue a career outside of the geosciences, they have gained technical and complex problem-solving skills that translate well to other job sectors. 

The Department of Geosciences welcomes students from all other disciplines to pursue a minor in geology. A minor in geology provides the background and skills to consider modern processes in the context of Earth’s deep history. Our minor in Environmental Geology is popular among Environmental Studies students, and a wide variety of majors—from Design to Business—have found that a geology minor complements their primary studies. For example, a History major might consider the roles of plate tectonics and climate change in establishing inequities in the availability of food, water, and other resources around the globe, which have influenced trade and warfare throughout human history.

Students in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts & Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. The University of Cincinnati’s urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research, and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Co-Op Program

Geology majors have the opportunity to particiate in a co-op program. Contact the Program Director, Krista Smilek (smilekka@uc.edu) for information.

Theis Environmental Monitoring and Measurement Site (TEMMS)

The Department of Geology maintains and operates the Theis Environmental Monitoring and Modeling Site (TEMMS), a unique facility in the Great Miami River Valley that collects a wide range of real-time environmental data in the river (stage), above the ground (vegetation activity and weather information), and in groundwater (geophysical imaging and geochemical sensing). Pairs of observation wells continuously monitor basic water quality parameters. TEMMS is a facility designed to help prepare students for hydrogeology-related STEM careers. TEMMS data are integrated into coursework and are available for student use in research projects related to hydrology, water quality, and environmental science.

Cincinnati Museum Center

The Cincinnati Museum Center is an excellent resource for the department and its students. Student research and training are supported by the CMC’s world-class fossil collections spanning local, regional, and exotic flora and fauna from around the globe. Museum staff paleontologists are adjuncts of the department and offer courses and internships in museum curation and display, as well as field experiences in paleontology.  Students translate these experiences to museum careers or as staff geologists and naturalists at state and federal surveys.

Undergraduate Research

The Department of Geology strongly encourages undergraduate students to develop their skills outside of the classroom through field and/or laboratory research experiences. Undergraduates may conduct research under the mentorship of one or more geology faculty and funds are often available to support research endeavors. Research projects are commonly used to fulfill the capstone requirement or as a senior thesis and can be designed around various field, laboratory, or quantitative approaches.

To graduate from the UC College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 120 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 120.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits after matriculating into the university.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in the most recent institution.

Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 at most recent institution

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application

University transfer scholarships are available to those who meet specific requirements and ANY admitted A&S transfer student might qualify for an A&S transfer scholarship. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are online via the previous links.

For any inquiries please contact us at artsci@ucmail.uc.edu