College of Arts and Sciences 
Clippinger Laboratories 316
Phone: 740.593.1101
Fax:  740.593-0486
geological_sciences@ohio.edu
http://www.ohio.edu/geology

Gregory Springer, Chair, contact person

Keith Milam, Undergraduate Coordinator, contact person

Mission

The mission of the Department of Geological Sciences is to provide students with an introduction to problem solving, critical thinking, and basic concepts using the earth sciences to show how modern observations can be extended into deep time. We prepare our undergraduate majors with a solid foundation in the discipline for use in their subsequent life, work or advanced studies; and impart to our graduate students a high level of knowledge, skills, and professionalism that enable them to advance their careers by integrating courses with forefront research into the processes that formed and now modify the Earth.

Programs

The department of Geological Sciences at Ohio University offers the following academic programs (see also the Undergraduate program page on the department’s website):

Majors

Geological Sciences Major (B.A.) - BA3321 

Geological Sciences Major (B.S.) - BS3321 

Environmental Geology (B.S.) - BS3323  

Minor

Geological Sciences Minor - OR3321  

Paleontology Minor  

Admissions Information

The Department of Geological Sciences does not have additional admission criteria beyond those of the University  and the College of Arts and Sciences .

Special Opportunities

The Department of Geological Sciences provides a number of ways to engage in geology outside of the classroom setting. 

Geology Club

Geology Club is an undergraduate organization that provides social activities that may (or may not) involve geology such as social events, trips to rock and mineral shows, hiking, caving, and camping. The list of activities changes each semester.

Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE)

Sigma Gamma Epsilon is the Earth sciences honor society. Any person in any branch of the Earth Sciences who has completed at least 10 semester hours in Earth Science courses and has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Earth Science courses together with an overall GPA of 2.67 in all college courses is qualified for membership. SGE members engage in academic service related activities such as resume and poster presentation workshops and offers free tutoring to some introductory courses.

Departmental Colloquium Series

The department hosts a seminar series during the semester on Friday afternoons. Geoscientists from Ohio University and other universities in the region present 40 to 50 minute lectures highlighting their recent research endeavors. The colloquium series provides a venue for student to see science in action including hypothesis testing, data collection, results, and interpretations and learn about new and cutting edge research in geology.

Student Research

Geology majors are encouraged to engage in independent research with any member of the department faculty. Student research may, but does not necessarily need to, lead to a senior thesis.

Scholarships and Awards 

The department of Geological Sciences awards a number of scholarships and awards based on academic excellence. 

Stocker Scholarship: Awarded annually to an outstanding incoming freshman majoring in Geological Sciences or Environmental Geology.

Ewers Scholarship: Awarded annually to an outstanding sophomore or junior majoring in Geological Sciences or Environmental Geology.

Elizabeth Llewelyn Robe Memorial Scholarship: Awarded in alternate years to an outstanding student majoring in Geological Sciences or Environmental Geology (academic rank is open).

Maurice and Betty Warner Scholarship: Awarded annually to one or two outstanding students majoring in Geological Sciences or Environmental Geology (academic rank is open).

Distinguished Professor Scholarship: Awarded annually to one outstanding student majoring in Geological Sciences or Environmental Geology (academic rank is open).

Outstanding Graduating Senior: Awarded annually to the most outstanding geology major in the graduating class.

W.A. Tarr Award: Awarded annually by the Sigma Gamma Epsilon Chapter to an outstanding student leader.