About the Program

The study of Earth became increasingly multidisciplinary during the latter third of the 20th century as geochemical, geophysical and geobiological evidence verified the Plate Tectonics paradigm. Earlham's former geology program similarly evolved. Now called Geosciences, our modern major and minor programs integrate the fundamental natural sciences into the investigation of Earth while acknowledging the variety of careers available to skilled geoscientists.

Regarding global climate change and earth resource reserves, we need geoscientists who have the analytical skills, integrity, humanity and gumption to formulate and evaluate testable models and humankind's remaining options. These folks must also be prepared to help guide decision-makers along paths that can be sustained. This is why I teach Geosciences at Earlham.
–Jon Branstrator,
Professor of Geosciences,
Class of 1963

Students choose to become Geosciences majors or minors at Earlham for a variety of reasons, usually because they find the material exciting and enjoy
working with the Geosciences faculty. Whatever the reasoning for their interest, Earlham alumni excel in the discipline. In a recent study documenting the weighted rankings among 1,302 institutions of higher education in the United States, Earlham is ranked 26th in the percentage of graduates who go on to receive Ph.D.s. In Geosciences Earlham ranks 20th for Ph.D.s earned. This places Earlham among the top two percent of institutions whose graduates complete doctoral degrees in this discipline. Many Ph.D. alumni contribute to the field professionally through work as college and university professors or researchers. Other Geosciences alumni complete some graduate work and enter careers in environmental advocacy or regulation, community planning,geoscience consulting, engineering, education, agriculture, law or business.

A Look at Earlham's Geosciences Curriculum

Geosciences majors tend to take all or most of the Department's varied course offerings, most of which include lab or field components.

• Through Introductory Environmental Geosciences the general student or prospective major explores the geological background of Earth resource occurrence and hazards.
  
• Serious Geoscience students begin major or minor programs with sound, rigorous Physical Geology that concentrates on fundamental geosciences materials, processes and concepts.
  
• Interpreting Earth History investigates how we have come to know about Earth's past.
  
• A course in Geochemistry joins other current courses in Mineralogy, Sedimentology, Structural Geology, Paleontology, and Landscapes and Soils.
  
• Our project-centered Hydrogeology course examines local and regional groundwater resource and quality issues while introducing students to field investigations and analysis.
  
• A Current Topics Seminar changes subject every year and enhances students' programs. Recent topics include global climate change, Earth resource occurrence and evaluation, global tectonics, regional geology and mass extinctions. The SeminarÕs objectives remain the refinement of literature research skills and the development and enhancement of professional-level communication skills Ñ writing, speaking and poster creation.
  
• A Geosciences faculty member teaches Field Geology on even-numbered years during May Terms. Recent Field Geology students have studied rocks and geologic structures in New England and maritime Canada, fossil and modern reefs in Bermuda, the American Southwest, and classic geologic sites in Scotland, the birthplace of geology.

Geosciences students are encouraged to develop advanced knowledge in at least one other natural science or subject related to their intended career. Examples include mathematics, education, chemistry, politics, economics and ceramics. With prior approval of the Geosciences faculty, credits from such courses may be considered part of the Geosciences major.

For more than 40 years at Earlham, every Geosciences major initiates and completes an Independent Research project that involves the collection, preparation and analysis of specimen material or data. Completion means timely delivery of a reviewed and appropriately written technical report and a public presentation of the project. Sometimes these independent research projects are continuations of class projects or parts of larger research projects conducted by Geosciences faculty.

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This page last updated: August 2, 2005