Geology

F. Zeb Page, Associate Professor of Geology, Department Chair
Rachel K. Eveleth, Assistant Professor of Geology
Clara Margaret Flood, Instructor
Karla Parsons-Hubbard, Professor of Geology
Amanda Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Geology
Rebecca VanderLeest, Visiting Instructor of Geology
Steven F. Wojtal, Professor of Geology

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The Geology Department offers a broad selection of courses aimed at both majors and non-majors. These courses reflect the diversity of modern earth science, covering subjects that range from the nature of our planet at the dawn of it’s history to human effects on today’s earth, and from tiny crystals to gigantic tectonic plates. Many of our courses address the changing relationship between humans and the world in which they live. We offer a major program that prepares students for graduate school or a career in earth sciences but is also intended for students who seek a broad understanding of earth systems through scientific study en route to careers in teaching, environmental fields, or other related areas. Many students incorporate geology into a double major following procedures outlined elsewhere in this catalog.

See information about Research, Internships, Study Away and Experiential Learning (RISE).

Advanced Placement

Students may count Advanced Placement credit earned in biology, calculus, chemistry, or physics toward a Geology major following guidelines. However, credit is granted only for AP courses that these departments accept toward their major; and is subject to College limits. Students seeking to place out of introductory Geology courses on the basis of secondary-school courses in geology need to pass a placement examination administered by the department. See the major description below for details.

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Majors and Minors

Course Sequence Suggestions

The department offers a variety of introductory courses in the earth sciences. Earth’s Environments (GEOL 120) has no prerequisite, provides a broad overview of earth science that includes field trips to local sites, and is a good first course for students who see geology as a potential major. This course, offered in both the spring and fall semesters, is also suitable for students who are interested in related fields such as environmental studies, oceanography, and evolutionary biology and are seeking hands-on experience with maps and earth materials. The department also offers topical Courses of General Interest intended for non-specialists or non-scientists and with no prerequisites.

A substantial number of non-majors also enroll in upper-level geology courses. Students can enroll in any 200-level class after taking Earth’s Environments (GEOL 120). In order to enroll in 300-level geology courses, students must complete at least one 200-level course. Students can progress from any of the 200-level courses into any of the 300-level courses with the exception of GEOL 361 (Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology), which has a prerequisite of GEOL 201 (Mineralogy).