Overview
An understanding of the earth is crucial to nearly every aspect of our lives. It is the source of all of our natural resources such as water, fuel, minerals, and metals. It presents us with serious hazards such as earthquakes, tornadoes, landslides, and floods. It is the source of our scenery and recreation opportunities. We even gain an understanding of ourselves by studying its history and the history of life upon it.
We Offer:
- Major: Bachelor of Science, Earth Sciences
- Minor: Earth Science
- supporting courses for the Master of Natural Science (M.N.S.)
Beyond the Classroom
Opportunities outside of class offer majors an enriched campus life and a chance to explore the profession first hand:
- Summer internships with the South Dakota Geological Survey.
- Summer job opportunities for juniors and seniors on faculty research projects or with the Geological Survey for credit and pay; recent research projects include a major project in Alaska.
- Field trips for fun, extended field projects for credit; past trips include the Grand Canyon, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Alaska and Hawaii.
After Graduation
Many grads go on to excel in graduate programs around the country. In the job market, people with the knowledge and skills to find solutions to issues related to the earth and its limited resources are in great demand. Earth sciences grads go on to work in environmental agencies, state and federal Geological Survey departments, in extraction industries such as oil and mining, in national parks and museums, in education and more.
Location
We are located on the second and third floors of the Akeley-Lawrence Science Center, with classrooms, labs, offices and a student library/computer lab with internet access. The South Dakota Geological Survey is housed here as well, providing students with hands-on integrated learning and opportunities to see the profession in practice.
Scholarships
We offer scholarship opportunities for those who study Earth Sciences.
Geology Club
The Geology Clubis a student organization active in organizing meetings, field trips and other fun activities.
Field Trips
We offer field trips for credit and for fun. Recent trips include the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Alaska, South Carolina and Oklahoma.
