Environmental Geology Major

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

Advisers Adams, Harnik, Harpp, Leventer, Levy

The Environmental Geology concentration focuses on the intersection between the Earth's environment and human activity. The program combines scientific study of Earth's environmental systems with consideration of the human relationship with the planet in terms of both humanistic values and social issues. Environmental Geology majors explore terrestrial and aquatic systems, Earth surface processes, and the fundamental geological mechanisms that drive the long-term evolution of Earth's interior and climate system.

Major Requirements

The following courses are required for the major:

Environmental Studies Courses (four)

Geology Courses (seven)

All of the following:

  • GEOL 190 - Evolution of Planet Earth
  • Two full-credit courses numbered 200 or higher and not counted towards other major requirements, excluding independent study courses
  • Capstone seminar: Any full-credit 400-level geology course, excluding .
200-level Courses

Any three of the following:

Cognate Science Courses (two)

  • Any two full-credit courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics.  may be taken in place of one of these courses.

GPA Requirement

A GPA of 2.00 in the environmental geology major is necessary for graduation. A passing grade must be received in all courses counted toward the major.

Honors and High Honors

To be eligible for honors in environmental geology, students must complete the following requirements in addition to the environmental geology major: (1) Complete GEOL 441 - Senior Research Seminar, (2) take four full-credit courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, or biology, (3) complete a year-long senior thesis as described in the honors section of the geology major, and (4) achieve a minimum average GPA of 3.0 in the three 200-level core courses and 400-level capstone course. If additional courses are taken in these categories, the highest grades will be used to compute this GPA.

Additional Information

Students majoring in environmental geology are strongly encouraged to take the summer field course . Students who wish to pursue graduate study or a career in environmental geology are strongly encouraged to supplement the major requirements with at least one year of chemistry, mathematics, and physics or biology.

Environmental Studies Program

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the  catalog page.