Geosciences

A minor in geosciences will give you the opportunity to explore our Earth’s complex systems and the relationships between the solid earth, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere, and address grand challenges facing our global and local communities.

By studying geosciences at 51С�Ƴ� you will learn about the history of the earth, earth materials and resources, climate change, water on land and in the oceans and natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and floods.

Program Type

Minor

Department

Environmental Studies

Areas of Study

The program at 51С�Ƴ� focuses on the geological processes that are occurring near the earth’s surface, including: geomorphology, hydrology, climate science and oceanography. Specific areas of study include:

Geohazards
Geomorphology
Hydrology
Oceanography
Climate change

Requirements

The Geosciences minor is a six-course program open to students of all majors. Students interested in pursuing this minor are advised to complete at least one geoscience course no later than spring semester sophomore year, and they are advised to declare the minor no later than the end of spring semester junior year.

Students may count up to two pre-approved geosciences courses taken through Study Abroad or through the Worcester Higher Education Consortium. At least four of the five electives/complementary courses must be at the 200 level or higher. Students ordinarily may not count more than two courses taken for their major toward the Geosciences minor.

Required Courses

GEOS 150 Introduction to Geology with lab

Choose 5 of the following courses. One semester of research for credit may be counted toward the minor.

GEOS 120 Geohazards
GEOS 210 Geomorphology w/lab
GEOS 270 Watershed Hydrology w/lab
GEOS 310 Paleoclimatology
GEOS 350 Oceanography
GEOS 401 Undergraduate Research
GEOS 407 Honors Research
BIOL 233 Freshwater Ecology w/lab
BIOL 401 Undergraduate Research (topic must be relevant to geosciences)
BIOL 407 Honors Research (topic must be relevant to geosciences)
CHEM 325 Environmental Forensics (chemistry majors only)
ENVS 235 Climate Science

Because the Geosciences draw on tools and techniques from many disciplines, students may substitute one Geosciences elective with one of these complementary courses. All pre- or co-requisites must be satisfied.

A statistics course offered by any department
CHEM 231 Equilibrium and Reactivity w/lab
CSCI 131 Techniques of Programming
ENVS 247 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
MATH 303 Mathematical Models
PHYS 115 General Physics I

Sample Courses

Geohazards
Introduction to Geology
Climate Science
Geomorphology
Watershed Hydrology
Oceanography

Opportunities

Geosciences minors have the chance to extend their learning outside the classroom by participating in research, internships and study abroad.

Field Trips

Our location in central Massachusetts is an ideal place to study geosciences. The geology of Massachusetts is the result of a process that started more than a billion years ago. Massachusetts lies at an edge of a continent and has been the location of many continental collisions that have created a wonderfully complex geologic setting.

Research

Several faculty members advise students on projects relating to the geosciences. Opportunities for research are available through the College’s Weiss Summer Research Program and other external organizations, including National Science Foundation, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Geological Society of America (GSA) and The Student Conservation Association (SCA).

Research Opportunities

Study Abroad and Away

The School for Field Studies offers one-semester programs in many beautiful locations that integrate field studies with environmental studies. Their program in Chile is based in the Patagonian Andes and has a geoscience and climate science focus. The SEA Semester in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, offers field-based environmental education at sea. Many of the programs focus on marine science and climate change and provide a chance to conduct oceanographic research. Williams Mystic, a collaboration of Williams College and the Mystic Seaport Museum, educates undergraduate students in a semester-long academic investigation of the sea accompanied by original research opportunities and travel throughout the United States.

Study Abroad & Away

Consortium Courses

51С�Ƴ� students may take courses at other schools in the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts. Clark University and Worcester State University have relevant courses in geography and earth sciences. Contact the 51С�Ƴ� registrar for course listings or call the consortium school directly for course information.

Eco-Action Student Group

Eco-Action is a student environmental concerns organization at 51С�Ƴ�. The group grows campus consciousness of humans’ relationship to the environment by organizing education, service and action opportunities in the community.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Outcomes

There are a wide variety of careers in the geosciences. Geoscientists work in academia, environmental consulting, private industry, nonprofit organizations, education and the government.

Graduate Studies

Some geoscience careers require a graduate degree for entry. If you are interested in attending graduate school in the geosciences, we recommend majoring in science (biology, chemistry or physics), environmental studies or mathematics and completing the minor in geosciences. Most geosciences graduate programs require a year of study in calculus, chemistry and physics for admission. We urge you to consider taking these courses even if they are not required for your major or the geosciences minor.

Meet Your Program Coordinator

Sara Mitchell - Professor, Director, Geosciences Geosciences , Urban Studies

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