Areas of study can include (but are not limited to): climate studies, energy resources, engineering geology, environmental geochemistry, geochemistry, geoinformatics (including GIS), geomorphology, geoscience education, hydrogeology, isotope geochemistry, medical geology, mineralogy, oceanography, paleontology, petrology, petroleum geology, planetary geology, sedimentology, seismology, stratigraphy, structural geology, tectonics, and volcanology.

Students will learn to relate these areas of study to understanding the Earth, and how Earth processes affect and are affected by humanity. Students are encouraged to obtain a scientific understanding of earth systems on a global scale.

The Earth Sciences provide career opportunities for employment in industry, government, and teaching. Students interested in this area of study are urged to consult the departmental faculty regarding curricular plans and career goals. The department also offers minors in Geology and Environmental Geology. Departmental faculty also advise graduate students in the Applied Sciences graduate program.