Earth Sciences
Location: Ross Hall 3235
Telephone: 970.351.2647
FAX: 970.351.4197
Faculty: Steven Anderson, Ph.D.; Graham B. Baird, Ph.D.; Sharon Bywater-Reyes, Ph.D.; Joe T. Elkins, Ph.D.; Emmett Evanoff, Ph.D.; Wendilyn Flynn, Ph.D.; William H. Hoyt, Ph.D.; David G. Lerach, Ph.D.; Lucinda Shellito, Ph.D.; Byron M. Straw, M.A.
The Earth Sciences program includes the disciplines of geology, meteorology, and oceanography. Many of the undergraduate majors emphasize environmental science applications of those disciplines. Geology is the study of the earth, its structure, composition and history. Meteorology is the study of the atmosphere and the weather phenomena that affect our daily lives. Oceanography is the study of the physical, chemical, geological and biologic characteristics of the world's oceans. The undergraduate program in the earth sciences provides preparation for professional careers in geology, meteorology, secondary-level earth science teaching and various scientific careers in the environmental industry.
Earth Sciences M.A.
This program is for students who wish to broaden or deepen their backgrounds in the earth science disciplines (astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography) and develop their research skills. It serves individuals who are or intend to become secondary school or community college earth science teachers. It is also appropriate for K-12 teachers, students pursuing careers in allied fields that require a multidisciplinary background in the earth sciences and for individuals wishing to explore the earth sciences as a second career.
The multidisciplinary structure of the school affords each student the opportunity to develop a sequence of courses that complements and builds upon his or her previous education and experience, whether in the earth sciences or in other disciplines. The program provides both a thesis and a non-thesis option. Typically, students seeking a focused program emphasizing research skills elect the thesis option, and students seeking a broad, multidisciplinary curriculum emphasizing content will elect the non-thesis option. In consultation with the student's graduate committee, each student will select the appropriate option and design a curriculum for his or her particular educational and career objectives.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Earth Sciences M.A.
Environmental Geosciences P.S.M. (Professional Science Master's)
The Environmental Geosciences Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) degree program is certified by the Council of Graduate Schools; it operates under guidelines of the P.S.M. National Office. Those guidelines specify that at least half of the credits must be in science content; in addition, Professional Skills courses and a Professional Internship must be completed. The multidisciplinary structure of the department affords each student the opportunity to develop a sequence of courses that complements and builds upon his or her previous education and experience, whether in the earth sciences or a wide variety of other science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or other fields.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Environmental Geosciences PSM Professional Science Masters