Geology at Wooster

An increased awareness of the Earth and its history leads to a better understanding of what we see and encounter in our every day lives. As we prepare for the twenty-first century, it is important for each citizen to understand the Earth's processes in order to make intelligent decisions about the use of natural resources, land use planning, and the handling of natural hazards. Geology, the science of the Earth, provides the framework for evaluating a large variety of scientific and social issues. The geology curriculum is designed to provide a forum for discussion of such issues as well as a broad background for students who desire a career in geology. The American Geological Institute has a webpage outlining the many career opportunities in geology and other Earth sciences. Please read our Annual Reports. You may also want to see our updated announcements page and our Seminar schedule. Directions to Scovel Hall (home of the Department of Geology) can be found on the Admissions Visit Page. Note the series of linked maps which include one showing the campus grounds. Links to national and world news stories about geology are posted weekly on most of our Geology Course Pages.

Seniors! Here is a quick link to our I.S. writing webpage.

The Major

Because each student is unique, individual backgrounds and interests are considered as students are advised on the courses of study. The geology major consists of a minimum of twelve courses beginning with one 100-level course: History of Life, Oceanography, Geology of Natural Hazards, or Environmental Geology. Students then may study a wide range of subjects at the intermediate and advanced levels, including, Processes & Concepts of Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Invertebrate Paleontology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Geomorphology, Structural Geology, and Introductory Chemistry. Geology majors who intend to make careers in geology are urged to take additional courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and computer science, because a knowledge of other natural sciences is essential to a thorough mastery of geology.

Departmental Highlights

Field work is an important component in most of our courses. Most of the advanced courses have field trips, from half-day excursions in northeast Ohio to three-day trips to the Appalachians and elsewhere.

Wooster's Department of Geology is a founding member of the Keck Foundation Geology Consortium in which twelve select liberal arts colleges operate a series of summer field projects involving faculty and student research. Since 1987, Wooster geology majors have received generous stipends to study throughout the U.S. as well as Ontario, Quebec, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Greece, Spain, Italy and Cyprus.

Seniors frequently present papers based on their Independent Study research at Geological Society of America meetings.

Thanks to an endowed departmental lectureship, Wooster geology students have heard presentations by outstanding scientists such as Adrienne Zihlman of the University of California at Santa Cruz; Donald Johanson of The Institute of Human Origins; Richard Leakey of the Kenya National Museum; George H. Davis of the University of Arizona; John Pojeta of the United States Geological Survey; Stephen Jay Gould of Harvard; Niles Eldredge of the American Museum; Steven Stanley of Johns Hopkins; William Schopf of UCLA; and Bruce Latimer of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; our most recent speaker was Carl Brett of the University of Cincinnati.

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists has sponsored visits by professionally active petroleum geologists through the AAPG Visiting Petroleum Geologists Program. Visitors to Wooster have met with classes, spoken informally with students, and advised them on career and graduate school opportunities.

Wooster Geology faculty directed two summer 1999 research projects for the Keck Geology Consortium. Bob Varga and Lori Bettison-Varga led a project in the southwestern USA called "Keck Colorado", and Mark Wilson directed a project in the Cincinnati region termed "Keck Ohio". Greg Wiles is leading "Keck Ohio 2001" this summer working on glacial features and chronology.

Be sure to visit Wooster's own seismic station for information on earthquakes in Ohio and the rest of the world.

Graduates

Wooster's geology majors have compiled outstanding records in graduate schools before entering rewarding positions in industry, research, or teaching. Recent data from the National Science Foundation shows that Wooster ranks first in Ohio and sixth nationally among 867 four-year colleges in the number of geology graduates who complete the Ph.D. degree. (Check this graph of the Ph.D. data courtesy of Colby College!) A recent study of our alumni shows that about half are using their geological training in industry, with state and federal geological surveys, or in education. The other half have pursued various careers, including airline pilots, attorneys, authors, bankers, clergy, dentists, engineers, librarians, physicians, and social workers. For information on employment opportunities in the geosciences, see the AGI "career brochure" webpage.