Homepage
Majors & Minors
Choose from geology, environmental science, environmental studies, and geomechanics.
Graduate Studies
A variety of research choices allows students to specialize in one area, or explore a vast array of interdisciplinary studies.
Research
We specialize in geochemistry, environmental sciences, palaeomagnetism, geodynamics, geological structure and tectonics.
Faculty in the News
Zero-Cost Hero: Tom Weber
Growing up and studying in the U.K., Tom Weber never encountered the steep and ever-increasing costs of college textbooks that students in the U.S. face. When he was an undergraduate, books were reused year after year and easily accessible through the library. Later, his PhD advisor purchased his required books with grant funds. It wasn’tuntil Weber, now an Associate Professor of Earth & Environmental Sciences and a scholar in oceanographic sciences, began teaching in the U.S. that he realized what a financial burden his students carry.
Feature Story
Mysterious underground blobs are reshaping Earth—and their impact may be bigger than we thought
One of the most intriguing implications of superplumes—enormous blobs of material hidden near the Earth’s core—is their potential role in Earth’s magnetic field reversals. “It has long been thought that reversals start at random locations, but our study suggests this may not be the case,” says lead author John Tarduno, the William Kenan, Jr. Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Seminars
Interested in geology and environmental sciences?
The department sponsors several seminars throughout the year, bringing notable speakers from around the country. Check out the seminar schedule for this year’s presentations.
News
New Mineral Named After University Alumnus
Dave Mao, '66 MS and '68 PhD had a new mineral named in his honor.
Spotlight
Mariya Cyriac
What do you enjoy most about U of R?
I really enjoy the facilities in U of R, especially the libraries (Rush Rhees Library).
