Why Geology & Environmental Sciences at Hartwick?

Top ten reasons why you should consider studying geology and environmental sciences at Hartwick College:

Surprisingly few people know of the wide range of study and exciting careers included within geology. Yes- some geologists study rocks, minerals, volcanoes and earthquakes. However, geology is also an extremely, important environmental science integrated with meteorology, climatology, oceanography, hydrology, environmental chemistry, and ecology (biology).

Geologists are employed to find and safely extract these resources. Earth’s growing human population will need ever-increasing amounts of water for agriculture and drinking, mineral resources, and energy resources. Most of these resources are found in increasingly limited supply. Geologists are not only involved in finding natural resources, but also in the development of renewable alternative resources. Hartwick provides solid undergraduate coursework, field experiences and internship opportunities tailored to natural resources, and alternative energy sources.

As human populations grow larger, many more of us are located near regions of the world prone to natural disasters. Geologists are employed to assess risk and impact of potential natural hazards. Many of the Hartwick geology courses provide valuable training and field experience with volcanic, seismic, landslide/rock collapse, and coastal erosion hazards – to name a few. In addition, some students choose to explore these hazards as part of their senior research project.

Environmental geologists are employed to detect and remediate pollution, and to analyze human impact on soil, water, air and climate. Through coursework and collaborative research, Hartwick students learn: 1) about human impact on meteorological phenomena and climate, 2) groundwater flow testing techniques, 3) water sampling methods, and 4) analytical techniques. Many of the Hartwick geology courses and student-faculty research projects provide valuable training and field experience in this area.

Public environmental policy without geological analysis is unbalanced. Even local governments prefer that their environmental policy makers and planners have solid science backgrounds, in better order to evaluate data.

Hartwick College offers environmental options for the geology (environmental geology track), biology (ecology track) and environmental chemistry (major) curricula. For those interested in pursuing a career in public policy, students in these environmental science majors can also pursue the Environmental Science and Policy minor, which also exposes them to non-science aspects of environmental studies. In addition, the geology curriculum provides a geoscience background, as well as critical thinking/reasoning skills, useful in those hoping to pursue careers in Environmental Law.

Environmental “studies” curricula typically lack the math and science rigor of environmental science curricula, and are less attractive to environmental analysis and engineering firms that provide many long-term careers in the field. Among environmental scientists, geoscience and environmental chemistry careers are currently growing the fastest.

The very nature of geology is interdisciplinary; it involves aspects of physics, chemistry and biology, as well as concepts and phenomena unique to our discipline. Hartwick student-faculty collaborative research projects are typically interdisciplinary studies.

Field-based education is a time-honored tradition in geology, and it remains one of the most efficient and comprehensive ways to educate young geoscientists. Even for the most “high-tech” laboratory-based analyses, the context of most geological research data is field derived. Many geological phenomena and features can be seen, touched and even smelled (visit an active volcano with us and you’ll know what we mean).

The Hartwick Geology and Environmental Sciences Department specializes in field-based education. There are field components to nearly all our major-level courses, and we have several short-term and longer-term courses dedicated largely to field study. In short, we will get you out of the classroom to look at natural phenomena firsthand whenever possible! Don’t worry – we will also teach you plenty of important analytical techniques in the lab setting as well. In addition to field-based courses and research, students have many opportunities for internships in nearly any interest area of geology.

In liberal arts and sciences programs with low student-to-faculty ratios, students receive personalized attention with course difficulties, and they undertake collaborative research with their faculty mentors. Together, they learn and overcome the pitfalls that arise in every scientific study. They gain confidence and capability.

At Hartwick College, our largest introductory geology course typically enrolls 38 students, and our major-level courses typically enroll 4-15 students. Our department Student-to-Faculty ratio varies from 11:1-12:1, including consistently full introductory courses. Ask any of our students and you’ll realize that Hartwick Geology and Environmental Science faculty are exceptionally accessible, and are willing to work closely with students during and outside class times.

The only true way to learn the scientific method is by actually doing science! Ask graduate program faculty or geotechnical employers, and they will likely tell you that undergraduate research is one of the most important experiences that they’re looking for in applicants.

Every Hartwick geology student completes a senior research project, a written report (thesis), and a live presentation based on the results. The research projects typically run 1-2 years in length and are conducted in collaboration with a faculty mentor. The costs of these projects are supported by the department budget, Hartwick faculty research grants, and external grants to either faculty or student. All Hartwick geology seniors present their research at the annual Hartwick Student Showcase (an on campus student conference). In addition, many of these student-faculty collaborations are presented at national and international professional conferences! A few of these collaborations have yielded professional scientific journal publications as well!

Hartwick Courses
Range of Courses
Careers in Geological & Environmental Sciences
Labor Forecasts
Student-Faculty Collaboration
Research Opportunities