Be adventurous

sifting through minerals
Klepeis teaching in the field
checking the maps
helicopter in Greenland
Abi and Lee in the field
entrance to delehanty
Winooski river
Perkins Museum whale
Colorado cliff

UVM geology majors are mentored in capstone research projects or internships by faculty engaged in active research programs outdoors and in the lab. We cultivate citizens who think and work on a global scale.

Geology majors acquire a variety of skills in field and laboratory-based data collection, analysis and scientific communication. These skills, embedded throughout the Geology curriculum, enable them to succeed in a wide range of careers throughout government, industry and consulting, or they continue on in graduate studies to become professional scientists.  Through individual academic advising by geology faculty, majors are guided into diverse elective offerings best suited for their career interests.

Learning Outcomes for the BA/BS with major in Geology (PDF)

Concentrations

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science, Geology Concentration

Major (B.A./B.S.) in Geology with Environmental Focus

Explore Environmental Geology: See how a Major in Geology with environmental focus can prepare you for exciting careers.

There are several ways to prepare for a career that applies your geologic expertise to the solution of environmental problems. You can major in Environmental Science with a focus track in environmental geology. You can also complete a Geology B.A. or B.S. degree that has focuses on the environment by selecting geology and approved ancillary science classes with this emphasis. A critical component of your college career should include independent research under the guidance of a UVM faculty member. There are numerous opportunities to do environmentally-related research in geology. The core major courses in geology (062, 101, 110, 260) will provide you with the foundation for doing field-based data collection. Along with overview courses in contemporary environmental problems (ENVS 001, 002) the Geology major will position you with skills in spatial analysis, map interpretation, field data collection, computer modeling and problem-solving to use in a wide range of post-graduate careers essential for success in environmental careers.

Courses particularly useful for careers in environmental geology would include:

GEOL 055 Environmental Geology
GEOL 116 Glacial Geology
GEOL 151 Geomorphology
GEOL 161 Field Methods in Geophysics
GEOL 135 Geochemistry
GEOL 235 Aqueous Geochemistry
GEOL 233 Environmental Isotope Geochemistry
GEOL 234 Global Biogeochemical Cycles
GEOG 184 Geographic Information Systems
GEOL 197/198 Undergraduate Research in Geology

Descriptions for each of these courses can be found in the UVM catalogue

Recent Undergraduate Research Projects in Environmental Geology

  • “Sulfide/Oxygen Supply Ratio Predicts Outcome Of Competition Among Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria in Cave Waters”
  • “Relating Sediment Nutrient Mobility to Seasonal Redox Fluctuations at the Sediment-Water Interface in a Eutrophic Freshwater Lake”
  • “Impacts of Large Storms on Vermont lakes: A Case Study From Lake Rescue, Ludlow, Vermont”
  • “Hydrogeology of a fractured bedrock aquifer in strongly deformed and metamorphosed rocks of the Rowe-Hawley belt, central Vermont”
  • Fractured bedrock hydrogeology of a well field in the complexly deformed Connecticut valley trough of central Vermont


How the Geology major with an environmental focus differs from the Environmental Science major

The Environmental Science degree requires you to take additional course work in organic chemistry and a year of biology in addition to two additional courses in environmental science. As a result, you take fewer geology-specific courses. Both offer the opportunity for undergraduate research. Both are gateways to graduate schools and jobs in the environmental field.

Beyond the classroom

Classroom life is just the beginning for a geology student. From regular course fieldwork to research opportunities with our world-class faculty mentors, getting hands on experience happens early.

Strong student-advisor relationships poise students for optimum academic success

In our department, you'll know your advisor well. Majors acquire a variety of skills in field and laboratory-based data collection, analysis and scientific communication, making them able to succeed in a wide range of careers. Explore advising >>

Graduate employment rate

91%

of CAS graduates were employed full-time or continuing their education within 6 months of graduating from UVM

Careers

  • limnologist, mineralogist
  • environmental law
  • environmental geologist
  • petroleum geologist
  • science writing/editing
  • wellsite geologist
  • hydrogeologist
  • seismic interpreter
  • geochemist
  • engineering geologist
  • education
  • environmental consultant