Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers five distinctive degree programs and provides its students with excellent opportunities for communicating and working with its faculty members and graduate students, both in and outside of the classroom. Each of the degree programs has been designed to serve special interests of the students and the particular demands associated with professional work in various areas of the earth sciences.
The degree programs consist of the B.A. in geological sciences, the B.S. in geological sciences with concentrations in geology, geochemistry or geobiology, the B.S. in geomechanics (GEM), the B.A. in environmental studies, and the B.S. in environmental sciences. The three B.S. programs are designed to give students the background for graduate work and professional careers in the earth and environmental sciences, and in those areas in which the earth sciences overlap with the life sciences or with engineering. The two B.A. programs are designed to allow more flexibility in program design and are pursued not only by students preparing for graduate work in the earth sciences but also by students interested in law, management, or teaching. The department also offers minors in geological sciences and environmental geology.
The department considers field experience to be a valuable part of geological training and incorporates field trips into the regular schedule of many of the undergraduate courses. Students take excursions within New York and adjoining states or can participate in a course that provides field experience studying active geological processes in California.
Faculty encourage advanced undergraduates to participate in North American and overseas field research programs. Most undergraduates participate in active laboratory research in fields such as geophysics, geochemistry, paleontology, petrology, structural geology, tectonics, seismology, stratigraphy, geodynamics, magneto-stratigraphy, geology, public policy, paleoclimate studies, and environmental geology.
The Undergraduate Student Geological Organization (USGO) is an active student-led organization that provides special field trips, speakers from other universities and colleges, and social events throughout the academic year.
Graduate work and careers in most fields demand a broad general background in the basic sciences and mathematics, and students are strongly advised to take courses beyond the minimum requirements in these subjects. All students are encouraged to gain a proficiency in reading scientific material written in foreign languages.
Upper-Level Writing Requirement
At least two courses are required to fulfill the department's upper-level writing requirement. A list of courses and a description of the requirement can be found in the Earth and Environmental Sciences' Upper-Level Writing Requirement document available on-line or in the department office.