What is Geological Sciences?
About the program
The Geosciences Program has three major parts: (1) solid-earth
geological sciences, such as rocks, minerals, and deformation of
the earth's crust, (2) earth proceeses over the last 10,000
years, such as active faulting, hydrogeology and water resources,
geologic hazards, and surface processes, and (3)
interdisciplinary environmental geosciences and hazard
mitigation.
Field, laboratory, and computer skills are essential to
students studying the geosciences. We now offer a new
interdisciplinary Environmental Geological Sciences degree.
Research in the geosciences is active and varied, with faculty
and students interacting closely. A Bachelor of Sciences and
Bachelor of Arts are offered in Geology.
A Bachelor of Arts in Earth Sciences is also offered, and is
intended for future secondary school teachers. Minors in Geology
and Earth Sciences are also available to supplement careers in
other fields.
Is it for you?
The Geological Sciences major is an ideal choice for the
student who is interested in science as well as the out-of-doors,
but it also affords many laboratory research and management
opportunities.
Geological Sciences is a challenging and interpretive science
and the geoscientist is constantly called upon to read clues
found in the earth's atmosphere, water, and crust and use them to
understand geological processes. Students learn to communicate
their findings to other investigators or to the public.
Faculty concentrate on teaching
undergraduate majors about geology and engaging students in
investigating geologic questions. Juniors and seniors often
assist with faculty research and teaching some of the
laboratory courses.
Our department provides personalized instruction in small
classes resulting in an excellent undergraduate education in
geological sciences. Since 1980, about 50 percent of the
department's graduates have attended graduate school to pursue M.
S. and Ph.D. degrees. Experience has shown that students who
excel as Geological Sciences majors, and later in geoscience
careers, generally have good backgrounds in mathematics, a
variety of science courses, and English composition, as well as a
desire to work outdoors and to work on projects of significant
societal and economic importance.
Geological Sciences Faculty
Information about the department faculty, with links to their
home pages for their research and teaching, is available at the
Faculty & Staff page.
Opportunities for Employment
The areas of employment for the Geosciences major are many and
varied. Geoscientists are employed in environmental consulting,
water resources, assessing geologic hazards including volcanic
and seismic risk, naturalists in state and national parks and
forests, in oceanography, geophysics, geochemistry and
engineering geology, oil and gas exploration, and searching for
new mineral deposits. Employment opportunities for women are
good. In addition, geoscientists have many chances for extensive
travel or employment in foreign countries.
Questions and Inquiries
Click
here, if you have questions about enrolling
in the undergraduate program or transferring to CWU from a
community college.
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