Dr. Sam Earman is the newest member of the Department of Earth Sciences, entering in August 2009 as a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Geology with a specialization in geophysics. Dr. Earman's current research interests include potential impacts of climate change on hydrologic systems, and groundwater recharge and movement through mountainous terrain.

Jim Hower (‘73, Earth Sciences) has been named the 2008 recipient of the John Castaño Honorary Member Award by The Society of Organic Petrology. Jim is in his 30th year as a Senior Scientist at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research and is completing his 10th and final year as editor of Elsevier’s International Journal of Coal Geology.

A B.S. in Geology provides the greatest diversity of coursework with an excellent foundation in all geology disciplines. This option allows students to explore the full breadth of geology and also allows the greatest number of outside science electives. For example, students with an interest in biology or mathematics may take up to five courses that count toward the geology major. If you have a general interest in geology and want to learn the Earth system as a whole then this would be an excellent program for you. View course requirements.

The B.A. in Earth Sciences program is less specialized, and somewhat less demanding, than any of the B.S. programs. It requires an introductory course in each of the earth science disciplines: geology, meteorology, and oceanography. The B.A. allows a student to construct his or her own program, consisting of 18 credits of earth sciences courses beyond the introductory level. These courses may concentrate in one area (geology, meteorology, or oceanography) or spread across disciplines.

The B.A. program is an excellent program for the student who wishes to enter the environmental consulting field after graduation. Concentrating one’s course work in meteorology may lead to a career in a field such as air quality control. A concentration in oceanography prepares the student for a career in coastal resource management. The B.A. program combined with a second major or minor, such as Geography or Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, leads to a wide range of careers in the industry or in the government. Moreover, the B.A. program is an excellent choice for a student who has an interest in the legal or business aspect of the environmental sciences and intends to enter professional law or business school after graduation. View course requirements.

In recent years, the environmental field has become more diversified providing a job base for students with a more general background in the geosciences. To fulfill this need, the Department of Earth Sciences has created a major in Environmental Geology. This program is designed for those students who wish have a basic interest in the environment industry whether that be work with non-profit organizations or in environmental consulting field. The B.A. Environmental Geology option provides a solid grounding in the geosciences while providing greater flexibility and diversity in choosing courses. Students may select courses that emphasize water quality issues, land use, or coastal processes depending on their interests. Another selling point for many students is that the B.A. option only requires one semester of calculus and one year of algebra based physics. The B.A. in Environmental Geology is a good preparation for a career in groundwater resource management, in conservation and planning agencies, and in the environmental nonprofit movement. View course requirements.

Department of Earth Science
717-872-3289
Millersville, PA 17551-0302