Undergraduate Degree Program - Warner College of Natural Resources

The Department of Geosciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree with concentrations in Geology, Environmental Geology, Geophysics, and Hydrogeology, as well as M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geosciences. Students in the Department of Geosciences gain scientific and workforce skills through both course work and experiential learning in the field and laboratory. Our Geosciences community offers individual attention, strong student-professor interactions, and career connections through our alumni and friends.

The department capitalizes on its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, Colorado High Plains, and intermontane basins to give students educational opportunities in outdoor laboratories to supplement classroom and laboratory learning.  Although we leverage our regional setting, faculty and students also pursue studies from the Arctic, to the Tropics, to Antarctica and in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Did you know?

Students may choose the traditional geology concentration, the environmental geology concentration, the geophysics concentration, or the hydrogeology concentration for their degree track.
Emphasis is placed on integrating field studies in the Rocky Mountains with on-campus work in both the classroom and the laboratory.
Many Geoscience majors add courses in Engineering and Watershed Sciences to broaden their career opportunities.

Areas of Study

Geology

The Geology concentration provides a comprehensive undergraduate education in geoscience, emphasizing a hands-on and field-oriented approach that is well-suited to professional careers in the energy, water, environmental and resources industries, and the many other fields that employ geologists. The Geology concentration provides a strong general science background for additional diverse careers, including primary and secondary school teaching, science writing, environmental and resource law, and resource and/or hazards specializations within the construction, insurance, land use, securities, and other industries. The Geology concentration additionally provides foundational preparation for graduate education in the many geosciences subdisciplines.

Environmental Geology

Environmental Geology concentration students develop expertise in surface and shallow subsurface processes that shape the Earth and provide critical soil and water resources and services for human society and the natural world. Graduates will be prepared for careers that address environmental implications of geological process and human activities. The curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals of geology, surface and shallow subsurface processes, field-based research methodologies and technologies, and environmental geosciences. The concentration empowers students to pursue positions with corporations and public, private, and nonprofit organizations that address environmental/natural resource management issues, regulatory agency activities, hazard identification and mitigation, land use, and support research that informs natural resource policy and decision making to advance sound stewardship. The curriculum provides a strong foundation for graduate studies in the many fields of geosciences and environmental science.

Geophysics

The Geophysics concentration combines a strong foundation in geology with additional depth in geophysics, physics, mathematics, associated quantitative data analysis, and computer skills. The concentration provides strong preparation for employment in a wide variety of public- and private-sector geosciences, resources, national defense, and geotechnical careers, and for graduate education in geophysics, seismology, geodynamics, energy, water, environmental science, space science, and many other disciplines.

Hydrogeology

The Hydrogeology concentration provides a rigorous education in surface and subsurface water science, resources and applications, and ensures that students are well prepared for a variety of geosciences careers. Students will be particularly well prepared for employment in environmental, water resource, geotechnical, and groundwater disciplines, and for public- or private-sector careers managing or assessing water and environmental resources. The concentration provides strong preparation for graduate education in hydrogeology and other water science, environmental, and resource disciplines.

Popular Minors

Chemistry
Global Environmental Sustainability
Mathematics
Physics
Spatial Information Management
Watershed Science
Sustainable Water Interdisciplinary Minor

Similar Majors

ESS Undergraduate Degrees

Watershed Science and Sustainability Major and Minor

Beyond the Classroom

At Warner College, the classroom is just the beginning.
Opportunities for getting outside to learn, do research, and recreate are extensive.

Field Courses

Students participate in immersive field courses at CSU Mountain Campus and beyond.

Research

Undergraduate students can participate in research projects to further their education.

Study Abroad

Take your education international and spend a semester abroad. More Warner College students study abroad than any other college at CSU.

Connect with Other Students

Geosciences Club American Association of Petroleum Geology Society of Economic Geology

Career Opportunities

A variety of opportunities exist for geology graduates in the private and public sectors and in education. Some of these include petroleum and petroleum service companies, mining companies, power companies, computer software companies, state and federal agencies, environmental and groundwater firms, educational institutions. Those with advanced degrees can attain more responsible positions with the possibility of rising to top professional levels.

AECOM Environmental
EnCana Oil & Gas
Newmont Mining
Nyac Gold LLC
Occidental Petroleum
Schlumberger
Terracon
UR Energy
Antes Group
Colorado Water Conservation Board
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. National Park Service
Tasman Geosciences
Vironex Environmental Services
U.S. National laboratories
Great Western Oil and Gas

Geology and geological resources are critical to civilization. Geological professionals play essential roles in mineral, energy, and water resources, In surface processes that shape the planet. The CSU geology major not only offers substantial field and lab experience but also provides strong general background in fundamental sciences, mathematics, and complex problem solving. These skills can lead to many graduate school or other career directions in science, policy, management, or other areas.

Environmental Scientist
Geologist
Geologic Technician/Intern
Geospatial Technician
GIS Analyst
Geocorps Intern
Well Site Geologist
Mine Geologist
Geotechnical Field Engineer
Hydrogeologist
Geophysicist
Geomorphologist

Questions?

Carmyn Ginnetti

College Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator

[email protected]

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