Emphasis areas at the bachelor of science level in geochemistry, geology, geophysics, groundwater and environmental geochemistry, and petroleum geology.
The geology and geophysics program is offered under the department of geosciences and geological and petroleum engineering.
Geologists, geochemists, and geophysicists study the history, composition, and structure of Earth and other planetary bodies. The expertise and activities in the geology and geophysics program help make the Missouri University of Science and Technology one of the leading U.S. research universities. Faculty and students are investigating areas such exploration for strategic minerals to help power green energy initiatives, water resources and water security issues, paleoclimate studies using cores from lake sediments, palynostratigraphy (microfossils), geophysical characterization of geological hazards (e.g., earthquakes, reflection and theoretical seismology, computational geophysics, petroleum exploration, the genesis of ore deposits, magmatism, and global tectonics. We provide the only program in Missouri in geophysics and geochemistry with an emphasis on exploration and environmental applications.
Students are drawn to geology and geophysics by a desire to explore a topic that is for many a personal passion. As a student in the geology and geophysics program, you may become involved in a wide range of studies. We have students investigating their world and beyond in areas as diverse as planetary geology, fossils and evolution, volcanology, structure and dynamics of Earth's deep interior, development of cave systems, exploration for oil and gas, adsorption of pollutants by soils, ore mineralization, and the creation of mountain systems to name but a few. Many courses involve work outdoors and in the laboratory. You may even find yourself hiking in the Grand Canyon, snorkeling over a coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, working in the rifted valleys in Africa or examining the evolution of the desert lakes in the Outback of Australia.
In the first two years of study, students develop a strong foundation in geology through the core curriculum. This foundation is strengthened by course work in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, and the humanities and social sciences. Students begin to take more specialized courses pertaining to their particular area of geological interest in their junior and senior years. The numerous elective courses offered by the geology and geophysics program, as well as courses outside the department, provide our majors with the flexibility to custom design an emphasis area of their choice, focusing in on aspects of Earth Science that are of most interest to them. In this way, our majors develop a broad understanding of the fundamentals of the geosciences while preserving the opportunity to develop their own passion within a broad field of science and engineering disciplines.
The Earth sciences have been an integral part of Missouri S&T since its founding in 1870. Our student organizations in geology and geophysics are among the oldest in the nation and include the Dake Society, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and the Sigma Gamma Epsilon (Eta Chapter) honor society. These organizations provide numerous opportunities for social and scientific interaction among students, professionals, and faculty.
The geology and geophysics program is located in McNutt Hall and it is especially well endowed with modern, state-of-the-art equipment for teaching and research in most areas of the Earth sciences. The availability of such equipment provides our students with an excellent laboratory and field educational experience. In addition, cooperative studies with the Missouri Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey provide students with opportunities for part time employment and on-the-job experience while they pursue their degree.
Geological scientists enjoy their work. As a professional geologist or geophysicist you may explore for oil, gas, and coal to provide for our nation's energy needs. You may search for minerals critical to industry. You may become involved in minimizing environmental pollutants and geologic hazards. In all cases, you will have the opportunity to work outdoors, in the lab, and with cutting edge technology.
Mission Statement
- Provide the highest quality education to students leading to the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in geology and geophysics. Prepare students for professional careers in five emphasis areas: geology, geochemistry, geophysics, groundwater and environmental geochemistry, and petroleum geology. Provide service courses for students in related programs (including geological engineering, mining engineering, petroleum engineering, environmental engineering, ceramic engineering, civil engineering, physics, biology and chemistry) as well as many of the programs in the humanities and liberal arts.
- The program has both the opportunity and the mission to engage in basic and applied research that contributes to the solution of problems related to mankind and the environment. To meet this goal, the program collaborates on projects that transcend the traditional boundaries between scientific and engineering disciplines. Faculty and students commonly conduct research with geologists in the Rolla offices of the United States Geological Survey and the Missouri Geological Survey, with scientists and engineers from various disciplines at Missouri S&T and other campuses of the University of Missouri system, as well as with other Earth scientists in universities within the United States and abroad (e.g., Ireland, Republic of South Africa).
- Provide graduates to the mining, petroleum, groundwater, and environmental industries; to the Missouri Geological Survey, the U.S. Geological Survey and other educational research institutions.
- Provide professional service in the fields of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, groundwater and environmental geology. Such service includes the identification of minerals, rocks, and fossils that are sent to the department, the assessment of geologic hazards, contributing to the development and operation of professional organizations, and when called upon, assisting local and state agencies with the evaluation of geological problems.
- Provide a strong foundation in fundamental principles of geology and geophysics for undergraduate students who desire to pursue opportunities for advanced research in the top graduate schools across the United States. Our graduates have continued their education in prestigious programs, including Arizona State, California-Berkeley, Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, Delaware, MIT, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas, Virginia Tech, Washington, University of Missouri-St. Louis and the Missouri University of Science and Technology.