Department of Geology

Office: Duncan Hall 321

Telephone: 408-924-5050 (Voice); 408-924-5053 (Fax)

Professors

Emmanuel Gabet, Graduate Advisor
Paula Messina
Ellen P. Metzger
Jonathan Miller, Chair
Robert B. Miller
June A. Oberdorfer
Donald L. Reed

Assistant Professors

Kimberly Blisniuk, Undergraduate Advisor
Nathaniel Bogie
Carlie Pietsch
Ryan Portner

Overview

Rocks, soil, minerals, fossils, oceans, earthquakes, volcanoes, climate change-the Department of Geology specializes in increasing students’ understanding of the Earth and its geological features. We offer general education courses, K-12 teacher training and professional development, a rigorous, integrated undergraduate curriculum and graduate courses and research. Our bachelor’s degree program in geology prepares students for graduate study in the geosciences as well as for entry-level positions in geological and environmental consulting firms, regulatory agencies and other employment settings. Our bachelor’s program in earth science is designed to help students master the content needed for successful completion of the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing’s California Subject Examinations for Teachers, and provides a career path for students interested in becoming secondary school teachers. Our master’s degree program particularly emphasizes the study of applied geology, surface processes, and tectonics, enabling graduates to advance to Ph.D programs and to secure jobs as geologists, engineering geologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists and environmental managers.

Geology and Earth Science Honors Program

Departmental honors in the BS Geology and Earth Science degree programs are awarded to those majors who have achieved a 3.5 grade point average in their required departmental courses and have completed an undergraduate research project. A proposal for undergraduate research, including an identified Geology faculty supervisor, must be approved by the Geology honors committee for acceptance into the honors program. Completion of two units of Geology 180 and both written and oral presentation of research results are required for completion of the program.

Programs

Courses

Geology