Geological Sciences
Department of Geology
College of Arts and Sciences
876 Natural Sciences Complex
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-3050
Phone: 716.645.6800, ext. 6100
Fax: 716.645.3999
Web: www.geology.buffalo.edu
Email: geology@acsu.buffalo.edu
Charles E. Mitchell
Chair
Gregory S. Baker
Director of Undergraduate Studies
About the Department
Geology is the scientific discipline that studies the earth, its composition, structure, and natural resources, in aulition to the history of the planet. The discipline encompasses such scientific specialties as mineralogy, petrology, paleontology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and geomorphology, as well as geochemistry, geophysics, volcanology, and hydrogeology.
Geology is the critical science in understanding earth processes that influence our environment, as well as in searching for new energy and mineral resources. Geologists aulress the following kinds of questions: How and where should we dispose of hazardous waste? How can we clean up polluted aquifers? How can we predict earthquakes or other natural disasters like volcanic eruptions? Why do new species evolve or become extinct, and what does that tell us about our own history – and future? Where will we find new natural resources?
Research facilities include modern laboratories for studies in environmental geology, contaminant hydrogeology, geochemistry, geomorphology, geophysics, invertebrate paleontology, mineralogy and crystallography, stratigraphy and sedimentation, structural geology, and volcanology. The department has modern computer laboratories for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Geological collections in the department consist of suites of rocks, thin sections, minerals from world-wide localities including the Church Mineral Collection, and other special collections, all maintained by a full-time geology curator.
The Science and Engineering Library houses the geology collection of approximately 25,000 monographs, 150 journals (current subscriptions), and 150,000 maps and charts. The department and library are a repository for U.S. Government maps and documents.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.A., B.S., Minor
Combined: B.A./M.A.
Graduate: M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
The undergraduate curriculum provides a comprehensive background in each of the major areas of modern geology through a required sequence of courses in geology and basic undergraduate courses in chemistry, physics, and calculus. In aulition to the core courses in geology, a wide range of electives offers exposure to more specialized topics.
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in GLY 101 or GLY 103.
Degree Requirements
Please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
The Department of Geology has articulation agreements with several colleges in the region. Students should consult with the advisement office at their present college for more details. The College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisement and Services Office at UB also may be consulted. To request a transfer of credit for a geology course not listed at either advisement office, submit a request to the director of undergraduate studies along with a course description from the college catalog and a course syllabus.
About Our Courses
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory courses is: 50-200
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 30-40
Upper level/advanced courses is: 15-25
In the Department of Geology, what do student teaching assistants (TA's) do?
TA's teach laboratory sections in almost all courses for the major and all freshman level courses, as well as lead field trips and assist in grading. Except in special circumstances, all lectures are given by faculty.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
There are ten full-time faculty members, six adjunct professors, four research assistant professors, and usually one or two part-time instructors in the department. Many faculty members have extensive research experience and well-established international reputations. Dr. Charles E. Mitchell and Dr. Gregory S. Baker have received the Milton Plesur Teaching Award, which is presented by the UB Student Association, and Dr. Michael F. Sheridan has received the title of UB Distinguished Professor. Dr. Charles E. Mitchell has also received the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor.
Special Academic Opportunities
Honors Program
In aulition to the usual academic honors offered to students upon graduation, the department offers an honors program. Candidates must have junior status, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25, complete a senior thesis, and complete two specific geology courses in aulition to the usual departmental degree requirements.
Field Camp
The 6-credit field camp course is the highlight of the undergraduate program. It is held for four weeks in the summer in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado and operates from a mobile base camp. The course teaches applied geological field methods.
Awards
Reginald H. Pegrum Award
This award is available to graduating geology majors. Dr. Reginald H. Pegrum, founder of the department, established an annual award to be presented to an outstanding graduate majoring in geology. The student selected is presented with a check (most recently for $600) and a certificate.
Gilbert Jaffe Memorial Award
This award is given to graduating seniors in geology, with preference given to a student excelling in marine geology or environmental science. The award consists of a check (most recently for $600) and a certificate.
Duttweiler Field Camp Award
This award is given to one or more outstanding female student(s) attending the Department of Geology's summer field camp. A $500 award is presented to each two recipient. The department hopes to be able to continue this award in the future through a generous donation from an alumna.
Extracurricular Activities
The undergraduate students have a geology club, UB Geological Society (UBGS), which sponsors such things as special lectures by visiting geologists, field trips to sites of geological interest, special outings, picnics, and camping trips. Officers are elected each year.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Geology
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Minors that Complement Geology
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary: Environmental Studies
Advising Information
Advisor
At the time of a student’s acceptance into the Geology department, the Director of Undergraduate Studies will become the student’s academic advisor. When the student reaches junior status in the department, he/she is reassigned to an advisor whose specialty coincides with that student’s interests.
Advisement
Students must meet with their advisor at least once a semester prior to registering for the following semester. At the time of the advisement appointment, the student’s academic record (all university, general education, and departmental requirements) is reviewed and any concerns are discussed.
Career Information
A geologist may be involved with exploration of the sea floor or the study of lunar rocks. However, most divide their time between work in the field and the laboratory. Currently most geology graduates work in environmental geology, oil and gas exploration or education. College or university teachers and researchers make up a significant and critical segment of geologists, and high school teachers of earth science are in high demand. The future employment outlook for the geologist is extremely bright because of significant hiring in the environmental and energy segments of industry.
Environmental scientists and geoscientists held about 97,000 jobs in 2000. Environmental scientists accounted for 64,000 of the total; geoscientist, 25,000; and hydrologists, 8,000. Many more individuals held environmental science and geoscience faculty positions in colleges and universities, but they are considered college and university faculty.
Among salaried geoscientists, nearly one in three were employed in engineering and management services, and slightly more that one in five worked for oil and gas extraction companies. The federal government employed about 3,100 geoscientists, including geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers as of 2000, mostly with the U.S. Department of the Interior for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Department of Defense. More that 2,600 worked for state agencies, such as state geological surveys and state departments of conservation. About one geoscientist in 25 was self-employed; most were consultants to industry or government.
Skills gained in this program include:
- Planning programs to prevent floods and erosion
- Using computers to analyze data
- Reading the history of the Earth's crust by studying changes in rocks and the scars left by erosion, glaciers, and volcanic eruptions
- Explaining the origin of natural wonders, such as the Grand Canyon
- Determining the distribution of rocks under the earth or ocean surface by examining drill cores
- Conducting geological surveys
- Measuring and mapping the Earth's surface and subsurface layers
- Tracing the flow of water and oil through rock
- Determining earthquake-prone areas
- Predicting volcanic or earthquake activity
Recent graduates have found employment as:
- Consultants for building and highway construction
- Earth science teachers
- Educators
- Environmental consultants
- Environmental geologists
- Exploration geologists
- Hydrogeologists
- Museum curators
- Navy seafloor mappers
- Researchers
Salary Information
Salaries range greatly from one occupation, position, and work setting to another. According to the September 2001 NACE national salary survey for bachelor's degree graduates, geologists’ salaries averaged $35,500 with a bachelor's degree.
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Geology
- College of Arts and Sciences