We all live on and depend on the earth's environment for food, shelter, water, and other essentials of life. Every person should understand the fundamental basis for the resources which permit modern civilization to exist. Geoscientists study the workings of the atmosphere, oceans, and solid earth and their dynamic interactions. A basic knowledge of the earth's systems, resource development, environmental health, climate change, water supply and energy sources are essential in making wise policies to guide society. Our research interests are in solving some of the interdisciplinary problems in these areas.

The Geosciences Department offers courses with traditional geological perspectives on earth materials and earth history, as well as courses focused on modern settings like wetlands or polluted industrial sites where humans and nature collide. We offer training in the use of modern analytical instrumentation to solve a complex range of problems in the geosciences. Course work is complemented by research opportunities grounded in both approaches.