Geosciences (GS)

Geosciences is the study of planet Earth, its materials, the processes that act upon them, and the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin, including predictive analysis of potential future changes in the Earth System driven by natural and human factors.  The mission of Skidmore’s Geosciences Department is to apply the understanding of Earth processes to contemporary issues such as Climate Change, land-use planning, water use, resource exporation/extraction, and environmental justice. The program’s curriculum includes ocean and atmospheric sciences, Earth surface processes, and the history of global change.  Our courses are designed for students with a general interest in the geosciences as well as for students planning to pursue a graduate degree.  We accomplish this mission by providing an environment in which students acquire diverse scientific problem-solving, research, and communication skills. Geosciences students obtain a strong foundation for lifelong learning, professional development in the geosciences, and enhanced career opportunities in other fields that require a broadly-based background in this discipline.  A liberal arts degree in geosciences prepares a student for a wide range of professional pathways (see table below). Interestingly, Geosciences graduate programs typically are fully-funded (including tuition waivers), and the Department has a 100% graduate program placement rate for interested alumni. Ask us about it.

Students who plan to major in geosciences or who are exploring earth and environmental science options should take: GE101: Earth Systems Science, or GE112: Oceanography, or GE105: Earthquakes and Volcanoes in their first semester. The 100-level GE courses serve as pre-requisites for most upper level courses across the department, and also count towards programs in Environmental Studies and Sciences and International Affairs.  100-level GE courses also fulfill all-college requirements in Scientific Inquiry through Practice (SIP) and/or Fundamentals of Quantitative Reasoning (FQR).  Looking ahead, we encourage interested students to attend summer research programs, field camp, and/or study abroad.  We have strong ties to some excellent field and off-campus programs, particularly Skidmore in New Zealand.  Our majors often combine geosciences with a second major or minor area of interest.

Ever wonder which careers relate to the Geosciences?

*Based on your Chemistry Diagnostic, you will be placed into either Fundamentals of Chemistry (CH 115) or Principles of Chemistry (CH 125). Both courses are only offered in the Fall with seats reserved in both courses for first year students. CH 125 has a pre-requisite of either placement based on the diagnostic or completion of CH 115. Enrollment in CH 115 requires placement in the course. Students placed into CH 115 will need to complete it before enrolling in Principles of Chemistry. Without a placement, you will not be able to register for a Chemistry course.  Please complete the diagnostic at least 24 hours before you register.

Geosciences Department Site

1st and 2nd Floors, The Annex  518-580-5948