Department of Geology

Office: Duncan Hall 321
Telephone: 408-924-5050 (Voice); 408-924-5053 (Fax)
Email: undergradadvisor-geology@sjsu.edu; gradadvisor-geology@sjsu.edu
Website: www.sjsu.edu/geology

Professors
Emmanuel Gabet, Graduat Program Coordinator
Ellen P. Metzger
Jonathan Miller, Chair
Donald L. Reed

Associate Professors
Kimberly Blisniuk
Carlie Pietsch
Ryan Portner

Assistant Professors
Nathaniel Bogie
Elizabeth Madden
Siri Veland

Overview

Sustainability, sea-level rise, water resources, landslides, earthquakes, agriculture - the Department of Geology specializes in increasing students’ understanding of Earth’s processes and resources. We offer general education courses, 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 careers in engineering and environmental consulting firms, regulatory agencies, and state and federal organizations (e.g., NASA, USGS, NOAA). Our bachelor’s program in Earth System Science focuses on the complex processes within and feedbacks between the Earth Systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere), including the interactions of humans with the Earth. Students obtaining this degree are well-positioned for careers in environmental remediation, natural resource management, and environmental policy. 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 in fields such as environmental consulting, hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering, and hazards assessment.

Geology and Earth System Science Honors Program

Departmental honors in the BS Geology and Earth System 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

Undergraduate Major(s)

Undergraduate Minor(s)

Geology Minor

Master(s)

Geology, MS

Courses

Geology